What do you think?
Rate this book
Elemental Trials #1
Errant Spark
What can you afford to risk for love if not even your life is your own?
In Egalion’s Imperial court, there is splendor and luxury, but it’s also a realm of treachery. Cloak-and-dagger political maneuvering threatens to destroy the peace of two thousand years.
Battlemage Jex Xander has a mouth that gets him into trouble; while in contrast, Enari Namelum speaks not at all. Amidst the mounting chaos, passion and romance should be the last thing on their minds, but life and the Goddess seem to have other ideas.
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but at court you can’t tell one from the other…and they change at the flip of a coin.
In Egalion’s Imperial court, there is splendor and luxury, but it’s also a realm of treachery. Cloak-and-dagger political maneuvering threatens to destroy the peace of two thousand years.
Battlemage Jex Xander has a mouth that gets him into trouble; while in contrast, Enari Namelum speaks not at all. Amidst the mounting chaos, passion and romance should be the last thing on their minds, but life and the Goddess seem to have other ideas.
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but at court you can’t tell one from the other…and they change at the flip of a coin.
- GenresFantasyFantasy Romance
434 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2016
3 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Ronelle Antoinette
2 books193 followersRonelle Antoinette lives in Colorado with her husband, two cats, one dog-who-believes-he's-a-person, and a small army of nieces and nephews. She is a lover of fantasy in all its forms, but has a particular soft spot for romantic fantasy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 30, 2017
Talk about a rocky start…
Oh boy!! Ladies and Gents, take a seat and fasten your seatbelts. This is going to be one rocky review.
Bloody Hell!!
In the nicest possible way…I did not like the first 30% of Errant Spark. We are forced to read through a mess of explanations, introductions and word creations (?!?) that made my eyes roll, when they weren’t squinting. There were times where I was scratching my head in confusion.
You know how when there’s an alternate world and you need to create words for that world? Well, I suggest you don’t modify words just for the sake of modifying words. I was completely distracted trying to work out why you would change words by two letters, just to be different. What words should you change when creating the world? Is it necessary? Maybe I’m not cut out to be a fantasy reader, because, to me, I just scrunched my nose up, thinking…WHY? I know the author is trying to be original, but it just felt unnecessary.
To be honest, I was going to give up numerous times in the first 30%, but there was this little part of me that was curious to know more. At first, I was convinced I was about to read a version of *Fantasy Porn*. The main character (the dude on the front cover with dark hair) likes to get it on with the ladies. He has a “reputation” and works hard to live up to it. I was not a huge fan of Jex (our dark haired hero) in the beginning. He comes across as flighty, irresponsible and a wee bit self-absorbed. Yeah, he's good looking and a powerful Battlemage, but talk about ego.
Let’s step to the side for a sec…I don’t know about you, but sometimes I can be reading a book and thinking, wait a sec, are you the main character? I sometimes go into a book blind. I’ve bought or picked a book, and it’s been sitting on my Kindle for a while, and I’ve forgotten what it’s about. So, in this case, I knew Jex was the hero, but every time he got it on with a woman (not THAT many, but a couple) or met a woman, I was curious if she was “the one”. I eventually found "the one".
Anyways, I have gone completely off course and I’m making absolutely no bloody sense…back to the story. So, at first I’m thinking *Fantasy Porn*. Well, I can confirm that there is plenty of shenanigans to keep you entertained but it's not *Fantasy Porn*. When we finally get past the first 30%, the introduction fog starts to clear…
---AND---
Aha, here comes the magic.
We go gangbusters from here and I AM SUCKED IN BIG TIME! Action, adventure, murder, mystery and mayhem. Who is behind all the murders that are being committed? Who will stop them? Is it magic? A curse? The enemy placing a spy within the castle walls? I admit I did guess one of the dodgy characters, but I have a feeling we're going to meet a few more in future books.
Ummm…I forgot to mention our heroine, Enari…and...well, that's all I'm giving you, her name. All I’m going to say is that I liked her. She’s original and I loved to see the changes that take place from the beginning to the end.
I was offered an ARC yonky donks ago but bought it instead. Me, being the slack ar$e reviewer that I am, I’m only getting to it now. I was prompted when the author messaged me to say that book 2 was coming out. Feeling a little guilty that I hadn’t got to it yet, I decided to get cracking. Obviously, I was less than impressed with the beginning but I absolutely loved it by the end.
Eventually, we are treated to an epic story of magic and mystery, with characters that jumped off the page. I could see them, felt I knew them and wanted to know more about them. The ending leaves us with questions unanswered, but it’s pretty safe to say that Jex and Enari ARE ON!!
If you don’t mid wading through a bit of a swampy start, Errant Spark will leave you feeling like you’ve walked through a field of wildflowers. HAHAHAHA!! Ok, not really. More like a trek to the middle earth (LOR), with a stay at Red Keep (GOT), that ends with a wee bit of sparky spark and a little hanky panky too.
I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -
March 8, 2018
I found the story slow to get started because there was so much information to share, it did improve and was ok but it didn't hit the right spot for me and I think that a large amount of that was that the narrator and the story didn't seem wonderfully suited to each other. I did like the way that Ginny Ross voiced the characters and represented the non verbal aspects of characterisation. I did like Ginny Ross' narration technique, I just didn't think it was right for this book.
Now to focus on the actual story, I do give it a 4 for the story because it is in-depth (hence the slow start) and well thought out, there was just so much to retain while at the same time absorbing the relationship between Jex and Enari , so it didn't feel like I could relax and enjoy the story. I didn't enjoy the sex scenes, I'm not a prude, I love a good erotic read but they felt too crude at times.
In conclusion, I feel that this book would have been more pleasurable for me if the narrator and the story were better suited to each other, as both had some real strengths but together they weren't a good mesh. I feel that the story does have potential and people who love family and political fantasy dramas could enjoy this. I have seen it likened to Game of Thrones and I didn't enjoy that (I didn't finish GOT book 1) so maybe if that's your thing then this book and any subsequent follow ups may really suit you.
Now to focus on the actual story, I do give it a 4 for the story because it is in-depth (hence the slow start) and well thought out, there was just so much to retain while at the same time absorbing the relationship between Jex and Enari , so it didn't feel like I could relax and enjoy the story. I didn't enjoy the sex scenes, I'm not a prude, I love a good erotic read but they felt too crude at times.
In conclusion, I feel that this book would have been more pleasurable for me if the narrator and the story were better suited to each other, as both had some real strengths but together they weren't a good mesh. I feel that the story does have potential and people who love family and political fantasy dramas could enjoy this. I have seen it likened to Game of Thrones and I didn't enjoy that (I didn't finish GOT book 1) so maybe if that's your thing then this book and any subsequent follow ups may really suit you.
Read
November 29, 2016DNF@30%
Despite looking forward to reading this book, I struggled to get into it. Most of this is because of the writing style at the beginning. There’s a lot of information to wade through and the constant switching between characters and a general viewpoint didn’t help. It had been a while since I last read the blurb, so I had no idea which characters I was supposed to be caring about and couldn’t find much to like about any of them.
Particularly Jex. Everybody wants to sleep with him, he’s quite chatty (and arrogant) and really, to be honest, I couldn’t find anything likeable about him.
I did like the littlest princess. She was the only one I found remotely interesting.
I was confused about why the Tor had all the power when he only got the title by marrying the Tora. I know she’s pregnant, but the fact that he was portrayed as the king completely in charge rather than a power-sharing consort rubbed me the wrong way. She looks after the children, he deals with all the tricky governing stuff, er, no thanks. I found the inheritance rules confusing too, but it was a minor thing.
I read the first third, then skimmed the rest because other reviews say it gets better. Sadly, for me, nothing else about it grabbed me enough to read properly. Enari is mildly interesting, but I never came to care for Jex and the political machinations didn’t interest me much either. I’m also kind of irritated that the prologue didn’t factor in at all. There are a couple of hints about it, but otherwise it serves little purpose beyond an old fantasy trope.
Overall, this book just didn’t work for me. Partly the style, partly the characters, but if you like traditional fantasy with some sex, a bit of romance, some magical things, demons and high stakes politics, then you hopefully might like this more than I did.
(Free copy downloaded from Smashwords.)
Despite looking forward to reading this book, I struggled to get into it. Most of this is because of the writing style at the beginning. There’s a lot of information to wade through and the constant switching between characters and a general viewpoint didn’t help. It had been a while since I last read the blurb, so I had no idea which characters I was supposed to be caring about and couldn’t find much to like about any of them.
Particularly Jex. Everybody wants to sleep with him, he’s quite chatty (and arrogant) and really, to be honest, I couldn’t find anything likeable about him.
I did like the littlest princess. She was the only one I found remotely interesting.
I was confused about why the Tor had all the power when he only got the title by marrying the Tora. I know she’s pregnant, but the fact that he was portrayed as the king completely in charge rather than a power-sharing consort rubbed me the wrong way. She looks after the children, he deals with all the tricky governing stuff, er, no thanks. I found the inheritance rules confusing too, but it was a minor thing.
I read the first third, then skimmed the rest because other reviews say it gets better. Sadly, for me, nothing else about it grabbed me enough to read properly. Enari is mildly interesting, but I never came to care for Jex and the political machinations didn’t interest me much either. I’m also kind of irritated that the prologue didn’t factor in at all. There are a couple of hints about it, but otherwise it serves little purpose beyond an old fantasy trope.
Overall, this book just didn’t work for me. Partly the style, partly the characters, but if you like traditional fantasy with some sex, a bit of romance, some magical things, demons and high stakes politics, then you hopefully might like this more than I did.
(Free copy downloaded from Smashwords.)
December 26, 2016
I decided to look past the dreadful cover and take a chance as the reviews were good. I must have been reading a different book. Confusing characters and inept storyline which jumped all over had me shelving this at around the half way mark.
October 6, 2016
Enari, born a mute and motherless grew up among female healers, learning their ways as an apprentice.
Her life turns upside down when summoned to the palace to assist in a royal birth.
Jex is a battle mage, trained by the high mage who took him under his wing since childhood. He's cocky, sarcastic and doesn't know when to shut his mouth.
Maybe falling for a mute may change his talkative approach.... or not.
Assigned to bring the healers safely to the palace, Jex has his work cut out for him.
Enari knows nothing about horse riding or fending for herself, and Jex won't stand for that.
Problem is, Enari can't stand the touch of others- except Jex.
Jex has bedded more than his fair share of woman- even two to three at a time- Enari is a virgin. Will he find another conquest or will he finally find his better half? they have limited time to learn when Jex falls ill and no one knows how to fix it.
Enari must trust herself and her ability. Can she do that for Jex? In time? And if she does will her heart make it through the turmoil?
Negatives:
The first 4.5 chapters are slow and hard to get through. However, chapters 5 on- amazing.
Recommended for Paranormal Romance lovers.
For mature readers due to graphic sexual scenes.
Received free copy in exchange for honest review.
Her life turns upside down when summoned to the palace to assist in a royal birth.
Jex is a battle mage, trained by the high mage who took him under his wing since childhood. He's cocky, sarcastic and doesn't know when to shut his mouth.
Maybe falling for a mute may change his talkative approach.... or not.
Assigned to bring the healers safely to the palace, Jex has his work cut out for him.
Enari knows nothing about horse riding or fending for herself, and Jex won't stand for that.
Problem is, Enari can't stand the touch of others- except Jex.
Jex has bedded more than his fair share of woman- even two to three at a time- Enari is a virgin. Will he find another conquest or will he finally find his better half? they have limited time to learn when Jex falls ill and no one knows how to fix it.
Enari must trust herself and her ability. Can she do that for Jex? In time? And if she does will her heart make it through the turmoil?
Negatives:
The first 4.5 chapters are slow and hard to get through. However, chapters 5 on- amazing.
Recommended for Paranormal Romance lovers.
For mature readers due to graphic sexual scenes.
Received free copy in exchange for honest review.
October 14, 2019
This was a good start to the Elemental Trials series. Enari has been summoned to help with a royal birth and Jex is tasked with ensuring her and her healers’ safely to the palace. Jex, the MMC, is a battle mage, a womanizer, is arrogant, self-absorbed, and irresponsible, but his character does develop throughout the book. Enari, the FMC, is mute, an apprentice healer, observant, and guarded. I had many issues with her being mute, mainly because of the situations that she ended up in and her illogical reasoning for it, but other than that, I liked her character. This book was very slow to start and as much as I like to know the characters, world, and politics of the book I’m reading, it was just too slow for me to really grasp it with an audio version. I did like that the main focus wasn’t romance, but politics of their world.
Ginny did a really great job with this narration! She used different voices, portrayed every emotion, and had a lyrical voice that brought their world to life.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Ginny did a really great job with this narration! She used different voices, portrayed every emotion, and had a lyrical voice that brought their world to life.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 2, 2017
One talks, too much, too openly without filter. The other says nothing and tends to be very observant. I have gotten myself accustom to the female being the one with the mouth that goes on for days and not filter in place. It was enjoyable to find a man that has the same issue, Jex. Enari was a bit too quiet but she knew when words were needed. She learned early that speaking could lead to avenues untraveled. And that was not always a good thing. She was intelligent and resourceful.
I am wondering in what direction the next installment will take with this series. If learning nothing more keeping your enemies close does not always open the doors you need. I had a fantasy filled ride in to a realm filled with treachery. The blurb just gives you a hint of what lies within. Take a read or a listen and find the realm behind The Elemental Trails.
On Narration of Errant Spark (The Elemental Trials, #1) . . .
Ginny Ross had a lyrical almost ethereal quality to her voice over for this romantic fantasy. I could imagine myself in the setting and taking in all the things around me. The court, the woods, the lightening across the sky, the fleeing for safety, the danger, the intrigue, the element of should I or shouldn’t I. The various points rang true and clear in Ross’s voice with the varied inflections and distinguish gender. I did not read the book first, I opted to listen and I would say she brought an element of being able to visualize the various section more clearly.
I am wondering in what direction the next installment will take with this series. If learning nothing more keeping your enemies close does not always open the doors you need. I had a fantasy filled ride in to a realm filled with treachery. The blurb just gives you a hint of what lies within. Take a read or a listen and find the realm behind The Elemental Trails.
On Narration of Errant Spark (The Elemental Trials, #1) . . .
Ginny Ross had a lyrical almost ethereal quality to her voice over for this romantic fantasy. I could imagine myself in the setting and taking in all the things around me. The court, the woods, the lightening across the sky, the fleeing for safety, the danger, the intrigue, the element of should I or shouldn’t I. The various points rang true and clear in Ross’s voice with the varied inflections and distinguish gender. I did not read the book first, I opted to listen and I would say she brought an element of being able to visualize the various section more clearly.
February 5, 2017
I had a hard time reading because of the amount of information that is dumped on the reader at the beginning.
The formatting is horrible, because the author switches between characters constantly and there is no formatting to help distinguish between them.
As for the characters? Dull. Apart from Jex, who is arrogant and completely unlikable.
Don't let me start with the old-fashioned culture. The Tor comes to power by marrying the Tora, who in return is degraded to bearing children and taking care of them, while he rules?
No, thanks. I returned the book.
The formatting is horrible, because the author switches between characters constantly and there is no formatting to help distinguish between them.
As for the characters? Dull. Apart from Jex, who is arrogant and completely unlikable.
Don't let me start with the old-fashioned culture. The Tor comes to power by marrying the Tora, who in return is degraded to bearing children and taking care of them, while he rules?
No, thanks. I returned the book.
October 10, 2016
This was a good read a little sliw at times but overall I enjoyed it.
October 10, 2016
Nice Title!
It is a nice read by all means, but I liked the fantasy bit more than the romantic one. Perhaps I do like shorter books too. Othertwise, well done indeed!
It is a nice read by all means, but I liked the fantasy bit more than the romantic one. Perhaps I do like shorter books too. Othertwise, well done indeed!
May 13, 2018
I wanted to like Errant Spark. Really. And it’s not often that I will end up giving a three-star review, but this is one of them. The author seriously needed structural edits, as well as some copy edits (discrete instead of discreet, anyone?). The number of errors I encountered throughout this book was phenomenal. The head-hopping as it is nearly drove me dilly.
That being said, I quite enjoyed the world building, and if the author had been reined in by an editor, I think this could have been quite a lovely little story for a romantic fantasy as the tone of the writing is engaging. There is a lot going on here, but far too many issues on a structural level for me to heartily recommend this across my networks.
That being said, I quite enjoyed the world building, and if the author had been reined in by an editor, I think this could have been quite a lovely little story for a romantic fantasy as the tone of the writing is engaging. There is a lot going on here, but far too many issues on a structural level for me to heartily recommend this across my networks.
November 2, 2017
Link: https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2...
My mind is still tumbling around trying to sort out my feelings about this book. There were definitely a few things that I wish were different: the slow pace of the beginning of the book, Enari, mainly because I didn’t really get her or her way of thinking, and the magical aspect. However, there were also a lot of things that I did enjoy: Jex, the relationship between him and Enari, and the magical and political plot.
I always like to discuss what I didn’t enjoy most first just so I can get that out of the way. I definitely did not like the pacing in the beginning. I found it slow and a bit tedious. And because I got this book via an audiobook, I felt my mind wandering a lot until around chapter 6 or 7. So there were a lot of scenes in the first few chapters where I’m still not 100% sure about. However, after that slow portion passed, it started to get a lot more interesting and the action and romance really started to get going.
As for Enari – in general, I did like her as a person; however, at the end when she gave her reasoning to be mute, I was kind of like “WTF, that’s such a terrible reason.” It was literally “there was nothing for me to talk about.” Really? 18 years and NOTHING to talk about? Not even when you’re hurt and need to cry? I just literally didn’t get it. There were a lot of times when talking could have made things a lot easier and simpler but because of her odd reasoning and stubbornness, things were more complicated. For example, I can easily see something happen to Enari from a mugging or an attempted rape because she wouldn’t cry out for help. Luckily Jex was there to save her otherwise she would literally be in deep shit.
I was also a little confused about the magical aspect of the book. I understand that Jex is a battle mage and that Eric is the head mage or whatever but exactly can they do? Every time I read about Jex using magic, it’s always fire related. Does he specialize in fire only or can he do other magic? Also I don’t recall Eric ever doing any magic despite being the head mage. Then there’s also the whole gods thing that is related to magic which I’m also confused about. And how do they play a part in Enari having magic? I feel like I ended up with more questions than answers. Either I totally missed out on the explanations in chapters 1-6/7 or the author will fill these out in the next book.
Now – on to the things I did enjoy. I really, really enjoyed reading about Jex. I found him highly entertaining – he had such an interesting sense of humor. There were many times when I found myself laughing out loud because of something he said. Even though he was a womanizer, I was glad to see that he was able to settle down with one person and was willing to do that. I feel like guys these days (especially guys in NYC) aren’t really interested in that, at least from my own experience, so I was glad to live vicariously through Jex and Enari’s relationship. Talking about their relationship, I think that because the book started off quite slow, their relationship actually became more realistic. It didn’t feel rushed and it felt more natural. It was something I can definitely see happening over time.
While I found the magical aspect confusing, I did enjoy reading about the political plot and how that played out in the book. It certainly kept things entertaining and engaged to the readers. I’m really curious to see what happens next.
All in all, I enjoyed the book and would, for sure, read the next one. On an off side note, I really do not like the cover. It looks too cartoony for me. I hope that the next book’s cover will be better but I somehow doubt it since it’ll probably fall along the same lines. Gotta keep things similar, you know.
My mind is still tumbling around trying to sort out my feelings about this book. There were definitely a few things that I wish were different: the slow pace of the beginning of the book, Enari, mainly because I didn’t really get her or her way of thinking, and the magical aspect. However, there were also a lot of things that I did enjoy: Jex, the relationship between him and Enari, and the magical and political plot.
I always like to discuss what I didn’t enjoy most first just so I can get that out of the way. I definitely did not like the pacing in the beginning. I found it slow and a bit tedious. And because I got this book via an audiobook, I felt my mind wandering a lot until around chapter 6 or 7. So there were a lot of scenes in the first few chapters where I’m still not 100% sure about. However, after that slow portion passed, it started to get a lot more interesting and the action and romance really started to get going.
As for Enari – in general, I did like her as a person; however, at the end when she gave her reasoning to be mute, I was kind of like “WTF, that’s such a terrible reason.” It was literally “there was nothing for me to talk about.” Really? 18 years and NOTHING to talk about? Not even when you’re hurt and need to cry? I just literally didn’t get it. There were a lot of times when talking could have made things a lot easier and simpler but because of her odd reasoning and stubbornness, things were more complicated. For example, I can easily see something happen to Enari from a mugging or an attempted rape because she wouldn’t cry out for help. Luckily Jex was there to save her otherwise she would literally be in deep shit.
I was also a little confused about the magical aspect of the book. I understand that Jex is a battle mage and that Eric is the head mage or whatever but exactly can they do? Every time I read about Jex using magic, it’s always fire related. Does he specialize in fire only or can he do other magic? Also I don’t recall Eric ever doing any magic despite being the head mage. Then there’s also the whole gods thing that is related to magic which I’m also confused about. And how do they play a part in Enari having magic? I feel like I ended up with more questions than answers. Either I totally missed out on the explanations in chapters 1-6/7 or the author will fill these out in the next book.
Now – on to the things I did enjoy. I really, really enjoyed reading about Jex. I found him highly entertaining – he had such an interesting sense of humor. There were many times when I found myself laughing out loud because of something he said. Even though he was a womanizer, I was glad to see that he was able to settle down with one person and was willing to do that. I feel like guys these days (especially guys in NYC) aren’t really interested in that, at least from my own experience, so I was glad to live vicariously through Jex and Enari’s relationship. Talking about their relationship, I think that because the book started off quite slow, their relationship actually became more realistic. It didn’t feel rushed and it felt more natural. It was something I can definitely see happening over time.
While I found the magical aspect confusing, I did enjoy reading about the political plot and how that played out in the book. It certainly kept things entertaining and engaged to the readers. I’m really curious to see what happens next.
All in all, I enjoyed the book and would, for sure, read the next one. On an off side note, I really do not like the cover. It looks too cartoony for me. I hope that the next book’s cover will be better but I somehow doubt it since it’ll probably fall along the same lines. Gotta keep things similar, you know.
June 11, 2017
A little fantasy, a little romance, and a lot of palace intrigue. This is a story about how lives become intertwined and destinies are slowly revealed. A visit to the court of Tor Brinon and Tora Aelani becomes more than what it initially was intended for Battlemage Jex Xander and the High Mage Eryk, brother to Tora Aelani. Murder, mayhem, and the miraculous birth of the child of Tora Aelani, lives are changed, some for the better and some not so much.
We experience the love growing between Enari and Jex through scenes of tenderness and sex, good natured kidding and admiration. Since Jex is a Casanova and hardly a safe man to become involved with, Enari kept a professional distance, being an aid to Kvinna Vasi her position required constant administrations when Jex fell ill. Through his illness, their attraction grew and they became central to the story.
Ronelle Antoinette brings us along for the ride with just the right amount of magic to enhance the situations. Facts are revealed throughout the story allowing the reader to become immersed in the characters and settings, never bombarding the reader with too many issues at one time. The pace is fast enough to keep the reader from becoming bogged down with non-essential trivia, and moves the story along, flowing from one situation to another. The characters are well defined with attributes all their own which gives the story depth.
I don't want to give too much of the story away so I won't be commenting on more specific characters and situation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and romance
We experience the love growing between Enari and Jex through scenes of tenderness and sex, good natured kidding and admiration. Since Jex is a Casanova and hardly a safe man to become involved with, Enari kept a professional distance, being an aid to Kvinna Vasi her position required constant administrations when Jex fell ill. Through his illness, their attraction grew and they became central to the story.
Ronelle Antoinette brings us along for the ride with just the right amount of magic to enhance the situations. Facts are revealed throughout the story allowing the reader to become immersed in the characters and settings, never bombarding the reader with too many issues at one time. The pace is fast enough to keep the reader from becoming bogged down with non-essential trivia, and moves the story along, flowing from one situation to another. The characters are well defined with attributes all their own which gives the story depth.
I don't want to give too much of the story away so I won't be commenting on more specific characters and situation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and romance
August 28, 2017
In the begging I was having a hard time keeping all the characters and places and politics together. I did enjoy Jex and his personality throughout the story. I enjoyed the story and the details of it. Sometimes it was a little slow for me and I found myself speed reading some of the paragraphs. But in general I liked the storyline, magic and the suspense,
I did get into it towards the middle of the book and could not put it down. If you like Game of Throwns, you would enjoy this book!!
I did get into it towards the middle of the book and could not put it down. If you like Game of Throwns, you would enjoy this book!!
August 28, 2017
There is intrigue in court life, Goddess worship and lots of action in this book. Enari thinks she is just a simple novice but during this adventure she finds out she has much more to herself than she ever imagined.
I found the reading quite stilted but still enjoyed the story.
I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I found the reading quite stilted but still enjoyed the story.
I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
September 29, 2016
Before I start my review, I would like to thank Ronelle Antoinette for allowing me to review Errant Spark.
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received Errant Spark from Ronelle Antoinette for free for my honest review**
Now onto my review:
I am a huge fan of fantasy. Like a huge fan, about 90% of the books I read (and don’t review) are fantasy. So, when I was approached by Ronelle Antoinette to read Errant Spark and I read the blurb, I was very excited and couldn’t wait to read this book.
I wasn’t disappointed at all.
The book starts off with us meeting Jex Xander, a battlemage, and his mentor, Eryk…the High Mage. Jex has a reputation of being somewhat of taking numerous ladies (or men) into his bed. In other words, he is a bit of a manwhore and I loved it. The threesome scene was hot.
He is pursued by Sarene, the middle daughter of the Tor and Torina of Egalion. Aggressively pursued and when they did do the dirty, it seemed painful to me (for Jex not for Sarene). To be honest, I didn’t like Sarene….at all. She was rude and a spoiled brat.
Then the book jumps to Enari Namelum, a mute orphan who lives at the Cyrilan Temple, training to be a kvinna under the tutelage of Vasi de’Curande….the Master Apothecary of the Temple. She is often shunned, even at the temple, because of her exotic looks(pointed ears, large eyes, red-gold hair and short stature) and her aversion to being touched. They say that she looks like a Vintyri (from what I read, they are like the Fae) and her muteness keeps her isolated from other people.
Vasi and Enari have been summoned to the Imperial Palace in Egalion to assist Tora Aelani with the birth of her child…which is unheard of at her age, 45. While crossing the plains, they are met by Jex, who has come to escort them across the plains. When Jex meets Enari, sparks fly and there is an instant attraction (note that I said instant attraction…not instalove…big difference!!). Unfortunately, Jex falls very ill and almost dies on the journey home and the attraction was put off while Enari and Vasi nurse him back to health.
This is where the book gets good. There are mysterious deaths happening in the palace, around the same time Jex is brought in. Jex and Enari finally have sex (after about a month or two of Jex being severely ill) and they connect on a deeper level too. I loved seeing that. The High Mage is brought into the investigation of the deaths because there is a thought that there is dark magic being used.
There is a heartbreaking death, that I didn’t see coming, a birth and a couple of revelations at the end that did surprise me. One revelation, I did guess at but the other one….well it took me by surprise. Lets just say that I think I know the who the person at the very end of the book is…but I have to read the next book in the series to see if I am right.
How many stars will I give Errant Spark? 4
Why? While a great high fantasy novel that kept my attention, I had issues with some of the titles and terms. If there was a guide, it would have been great. Other than that small issue, a great read.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I reccomend to family and friends? Yes
Age range: Adult
Why? sex scenes (including a threesome) and violence
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received Errant Spark from Ronelle Antoinette for free for my honest review**
Now onto my review:
I am a huge fan of fantasy. Like a huge fan, about 90% of the books I read (and don’t review) are fantasy. So, when I was approached by Ronelle Antoinette to read Errant Spark and I read the blurb, I was very excited and couldn’t wait to read this book.
I wasn’t disappointed at all.
The book starts off with us meeting Jex Xander, a battlemage, and his mentor, Eryk…the High Mage. Jex has a reputation of being somewhat of taking numerous ladies (or men) into his bed. In other words, he is a bit of a manwhore and I loved it. The threesome scene was hot.
He is pursued by Sarene, the middle daughter of the Tor and Torina of Egalion. Aggressively pursued and when they did do the dirty, it seemed painful to me (for Jex not for Sarene). To be honest, I didn’t like Sarene….at all. She was rude and a spoiled brat.
Then the book jumps to Enari Namelum, a mute orphan who lives at the Cyrilan Temple, training to be a kvinna under the tutelage of Vasi de’Curande….the Master Apothecary of the Temple. She is often shunned, even at the temple, because of her exotic looks(pointed ears, large eyes, red-gold hair and short stature) and her aversion to being touched. They say that she looks like a Vintyri (from what I read, they are like the Fae) and her muteness keeps her isolated from other people.
Vasi and Enari have been summoned to the Imperial Palace in Egalion to assist Tora Aelani with the birth of her child…which is unheard of at her age, 45. While crossing the plains, they are met by Jex, who has come to escort them across the plains. When Jex meets Enari, sparks fly and there is an instant attraction (note that I said instant attraction…not instalove…big difference!!). Unfortunately, Jex falls very ill and almost dies on the journey home and the attraction was put off while Enari and Vasi nurse him back to health.
This is where the book gets good. There are mysterious deaths happening in the palace, around the same time Jex is brought in. Jex and Enari finally have sex (after about a month or two of Jex being severely ill) and they connect on a deeper level too. I loved seeing that. The High Mage is brought into the investigation of the deaths because there is a thought that there is dark magic being used.
There is a heartbreaking death, that I didn’t see coming, a birth and a couple of revelations at the end that did surprise me. One revelation, I did guess at but the other one….well it took me by surprise. Lets just say that I think I know the who the person at the very end of the book is…but I have to read the next book in the series to see if I am right.
How many stars will I give Errant Spark? 4
Why? While a great high fantasy novel that kept my attention, I had issues with some of the titles and terms. If there was a guide, it would have been great. Other than that small issue, a great read.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I reccomend to family and friends? Yes
Age range: Adult
Why? sex scenes (including a threesome) and violence
February 4, 2017
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would recommend to someone who is looking for something different. Being the first book in a series, they will find that it starts off slow but if they're a patient person they won't be disappointed by the end.
Who was your favorite character and why?
It's a toss up between Jex and Anari. Jex is a man who takes a shine to a woman of very few words but that doesn't stop him from communicating with her. Anari may not have much to say but the narrator gets her feelings across to the reader. She's a woman with secrets she didn't even know about and it's interesting to see her come into her own.
What about Ginny Ross’s performance did you like?
I like the fact that she doesn't go out of her way to change her voice too much when speaking a male part. But she changes her tone just enough that you know when, for example, Jex is talking. Having an accent also added to the experience because it gives a voice to a character that if reading the story you're not quite sure if they speak with an accent or not.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I could not listen to it all in one sitting because of outside forces having their say. Plus there was so much going on at the beginning that I had to stop in order to digest what was being said. Being over 10 hours I don't know that it would be possible to do in one sitting anyway.
Any additional comments?
This may have started out slowly for me at the beginning but by the end I'm looking forward to listening to the next book in the series. I did decide that, at least for this book, I would want to have a copy of the book so that I can read at the same time Ms. Ross is reading to me. It might clear up some things at the beginning that seemed confusing. But it will be interesting to see what direction the next book will go. Maybe a new adventure.
I voluntarily reviewed an audio version of this book.
I would recommend to someone who is looking for something different. Being the first book in a series, they will find that it starts off slow but if they're a patient person they won't be disappointed by the end.
Who was your favorite character and why?
It's a toss up between Jex and Anari. Jex is a man who takes a shine to a woman of very few words but that doesn't stop him from communicating with her. Anari may not have much to say but the narrator gets her feelings across to the reader. She's a woman with secrets she didn't even know about and it's interesting to see her come into her own.
What about Ginny Ross’s performance did you like?
I like the fact that she doesn't go out of her way to change her voice too much when speaking a male part. But she changes her tone just enough that you know when, for example, Jex is talking. Having an accent also added to the experience because it gives a voice to a character that if reading the story you're not quite sure if they speak with an accent or not.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I could not listen to it all in one sitting because of outside forces having their say. Plus there was so much going on at the beginning that I had to stop in order to digest what was being said. Being over 10 hours I don't know that it would be possible to do in one sitting anyway.
Any additional comments?
This may have started out slowly for me at the beginning but by the end I'm looking forward to listening to the next book in the series. I did decide that, at least for this book, I would want to have a copy of the book so that I can read at the same time Ms. Ross is reading to me. It might clear up some things at the beginning that seemed confusing. But it will be interesting to see what direction the next book will go. Maybe a new adventure.
I voluntarily reviewed an audio version of this book.
November 5, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is books like Errant Spark that remind me why I love to read. The feeling of being consumed by a story from the first page is a feeling unlike any other. The enthralling storyline and characters is enough to make you fall in love.
So on to the things that I love about this wonderful masterpiece. The writing is so engaging that I had a hard time putting it down. Even when I finished reading it, it was stuck on my mind. Ronelle Antoinette is a genius at her craft. She was able to create such beautiful visuals that I hardly had to use my own imagination. Battlemage Jax is one serious hunk with a whole lot of sex appeal. I loved him even when he was being an arrogant brat, he made me laugh despite his faults. The relationship that developed between him and Enari was pure perfection. I squealed with happiness whenever they were together. Ronelle writes romance like no other, the slow attraction that built between Jax and Enari was bittersweet.
Another thing I loved was the world. The torin, torina, and their royal family were sweet. Their kingdom and others hint at turmoil and I really enjoyed getting into the politics of it all.I liked that there is magic in this world and the battlemages. The dark presence hovering over the story was a bit creepy, but helped drive the story. I seriously could not figure out what was going on and was dying to know more. Plus there is a twist that I didn't see coming almost until it was too late. It is epic.
I ultimately loved this book. The story is amazing, the characters are lovable, and I just can't wait for the next book. I highly recommend.
It is books like Errant Spark that remind me why I love to read. The feeling of being consumed by a story from the first page is a feeling unlike any other. The enthralling storyline and characters is enough to make you fall in love.
So on to the things that I love about this wonderful masterpiece. The writing is so engaging that I had a hard time putting it down. Even when I finished reading it, it was stuck on my mind. Ronelle Antoinette is a genius at her craft. She was able to create such beautiful visuals that I hardly had to use my own imagination. Battlemage Jax is one serious hunk with a whole lot of sex appeal. I loved him even when he was being an arrogant brat, he made me laugh despite his faults. The relationship that developed between him and Enari was pure perfection. I squealed with happiness whenever they were together. Ronelle writes romance like no other, the slow attraction that built between Jax and Enari was bittersweet.
Another thing I loved was the world. The torin, torina, and their royal family were sweet. Their kingdom and others hint at turmoil and I really enjoyed getting into the politics of it all.I liked that there is magic in this world and the battlemages. The dark presence hovering over the story was a bit creepy, but helped drive the story. I seriously could not figure out what was going on and was dying to know more. Plus there is a twist that I didn't see coming almost until it was too late. It is epic.
I ultimately loved this book. The story is amazing, the characters are lovable, and I just can't wait for the next book. I highly recommend.
February 3, 2017
Errant Spark mostly kept me entertained. I really enjoyed the plot for the book. It was filled with some great characters as well as those who I did not like. It was wonderfully written and for most of it kept a good pace.
Though it started very slow, once it picked up it was fantastic. It was hard to put down once I reached chapter 7 or 8.
There were some great characters but my favourite would be Jex Xander. He often got himself into trouble but also had a great sense of humour. I also really enjoyed the relationship betwen Jex and Enari. It did not feel forced or rushed.
Ginny Ross did an amazing job narrating this book. The was a clear character distinction through most of it. She did a brilliant job with the different dialects and genders. It was also easy to imagine the different environments and actions.
Overall Errant Spark translated really well into a audio. It had a great sound quality. Though I only listened to the audiobook, nothing seemed to be lost in translation and as a whole very enjoyable.
In the end it was a fantastic read. It had a great story, characters and kept a good pace throughout. It was a great start to this series and left me excited to what will happen next. I gave this book a 4/5.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Ronelle Antoinette. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Though it started very slow, once it picked up it was fantastic. It was hard to put down once I reached chapter 7 or 8.
There were some great characters but my favourite would be Jex Xander. He often got himself into trouble but also had a great sense of humour. I also really enjoyed the relationship betwen Jex and Enari. It did not feel forced or rushed.
Ginny Ross did an amazing job narrating this book. The was a clear character distinction through most of it. She did a brilliant job with the different dialects and genders. It was also easy to imagine the different environments and actions.
Overall Errant Spark translated really well into a audio. It had a great sound quality. Though I only listened to the audiobook, nothing seemed to be lost in translation and as a whole very enjoyable.
In the end it was a fantastic read. It had a great story, characters and kept a good pace throughout. It was a great start to this series and left me excited to what will happen next. I gave this book a 4/5.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Ronelle Antoinette. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
October 18, 2016
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. I would have gladly paid for it as I loved it. Although it did feel slow to start it held my attention and I followed my gut feeling. My gut feeling was that this was going to be, very good reading, and it didn't disappoint me.
It is a beautiful and romantic fantasy with clever world building, and characters that grow on you. At first they don't seem out of the ordinary (just like the beginning of the book) and yet as the pages are turned they begin to evolve into warm and appealing personalities that connect easily to the reader.
As normal for this genre the unfolding events are complex. There are a myriad of characters that are sometimes difficult to keep up with as they often are in fantasy novels. However the flowing style keeps us well in the loop, and the language has a certain old-world charm that is a delight.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to more.
It is a beautiful and romantic fantasy with clever world building, and characters that grow on you. At first they don't seem out of the ordinary (just like the beginning of the book) and yet as the pages are turned they begin to evolve into warm and appealing personalities that connect easily to the reader.
As normal for this genre the unfolding events are complex. There are a myriad of characters that are sometimes difficult to keep up with as they often are in fantasy novels. However the flowing style keeps us well in the loop, and the language has a certain old-world charm that is a delight.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to more.
December 31, 2016
I would give them 4.5 stars. As somebody who was raised on fantasy and sci-fi, I was thrilled with this book. It is fantasy done right, with a world that is different from our own, but relatable. The language, the mannerisms, and the people are all intuitively woven into the story so the reader quickly catches onto what the words mean by their context. It makes the story feel organic, because it isn't explained as much as experienced as you read.
Jax is a great character and his personality shines through. Similarly, Enari, without saying a word, also projects greatly onto the pages. Despite a bit of a slow start that sort of had my interest wavering as the politics got a little deep, the book really picks up and holds your interest in the early chapters.
The pacing and action is good, and the book doesn't give up all of it's mysteries yet, which leaves me hungry for the next book.
If you like fantasy, you will love this book.
I was given a free copy of this book.
Jax is a great character and his personality shines through. Similarly, Enari, without saying a word, also projects greatly onto the pages. Despite a bit of a slow start that sort of had my interest wavering as the politics got a little deep, the book really picks up and holds your interest in the early chapters.
The pacing and action is good, and the book doesn't give up all of it's mysteries yet, which leaves me hungry for the next book.
If you like fantasy, you will love this book.
I was given a free copy of this book.
February 2, 2017
If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, you are sure to love Errant Spark by Ronelle Antionette. At the heart of the story there are several ruling families and each seems to have his or her own agenda at play. Like GOT there is a power struggle going on with loads of conniving people each making a play for power in some way. You cannot trust anyone because as the story progresses you discover that everyone has secrets. EVERYONE.
On the down side this story started off very slow. Considering all the ground work that the author had to establish it makes sense. Trust me. You need to stick with it. Once it takes off the pages simply fly by. The characters are complex and well defined. While there are several intricate stories intertwining, Jex and Enari's story steals the show. Despite Enari's non verbalization, her emotions speak volumes. With all the backstabbing and closed door scheming, her relationship with Jex is quite refreshing.
On the down side this story started off very slow. Considering all the ground work that the author had to establish it makes sense. Trust me. You need to stick with it. Once it takes off the pages simply fly by. The characters are complex and well defined. While there are several intricate stories intertwining, Jex and Enari's story steals the show. Despite Enari's non verbalization, her emotions speak volumes. With all the backstabbing and closed door scheming, her relationship with Jex is quite refreshing.
December 13, 2016
Errant Spark Review
A pleasant surprise! The first quarter of the book was full of quite a few people, places, and politics and was a bit hard to keep up with but I am glad I did. Once past all the introductions the story quickly made up for lost time by weaving a compelling tale of murder mystery and magic. I grew to like the characters very much especially Jex and Enari. His sass and her quiet nature played off each other perfectly. A few of the others were also equally enjoyable. Between the emotions playing out between the characters and the suspense that slowly built until the ending I was hooked. I also feel like the author has barely scratched the surface of this story so I hope to see more about these characters in the future. After a bit of a slow start Errant Spark was worth the read and in my opinion definitely recommended.
A pleasant surprise! The first quarter of the book was full of quite a few people, places, and politics and was a bit hard to keep up with but I am glad I did. Once past all the introductions the story quickly made up for lost time by weaving a compelling tale of murder mystery and magic. I grew to like the characters very much especially Jex and Enari. His sass and her quiet nature played off each other perfectly. A few of the others were also equally enjoyable. Between the emotions playing out between the characters and the suspense that slowly built until the ending I was hooked. I also feel like the author has barely scratched the surface of this story so I hope to see more about these characters in the future. After a bit of a slow start Errant Spark was worth the read and in my opinion definitely recommended.
November 7, 2016
I enjoyed this book quite a bit!
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And honestly, the book could benefit from an editor's touch, BUT, it was well enough written to be enthralling from beginning to end. The sex scenes were quite enjoyable, too, and very arousing! This is the beginning of a series, and I want to read more! I want to know what happens to these characters, who is working to bring down the kingdom and why, and whether or not they'll catch the bad guys! I'm going to have to look for future books in this enjoyable series.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And honestly, the book could benefit from an editor's touch, BUT, it was well enough written to be enthralling from beginning to end. The sex scenes were quite enjoyable, too, and very arousing! This is the beginning of a series, and I want to read more! I want to know what happens to these characters, who is working to bring down the kingdom and why, and whether or not they'll catch the bad guys! I'm going to have to look for future books in this enjoyable series.
October 13, 2016
I really loved reading this book. The author's world building is exquisite and complex. The characters are fantastic. I was lucky enough to read this in early form, and it was excellent even then. This is one hell of a debut, and I'm eagerly looking forward to her next book.
April 5, 2017
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This book was alright and the only emotion I really got was from the epilogue, that’s really the only part of the book that got me interested in going on with the series but, the rest of the story gives me pause.
I couldn’t really feel any kind of connection to the characters. Now, I do admit to reading a few reviews beforehand, which I shouldn’t do but sometimes I can’t help myself, and I don’t really see what they’re saying about Jex, although that epilogue has me thinking.
I kind of liked Jex, he added attitude to an otherwise dry book. It was quite a bit of jumping around with the characters and some of it was in the same paragraph so it got a little confusing who was talking about whom.
The writing was alright, not very exciting but with just enough oomph to keep me interested in reading. The cover is alright, the way it looks is a little childish so I would’ve thought that it was a children’s book at first glance.
Eh, I liked it.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
This book was alright and the only emotion I really got was from the epilogue, that’s really the only part of the book that got me interested in going on with the series but, the rest of the story gives me pause.
I couldn’t really feel any kind of connection to the characters. Now, I do admit to reading a few reviews beforehand, which I shouldn’t do but sometimes I can’t help myself, and I don’t really see what they’re saying about Jex, although that epilogue has me thinking.
I kind of liked Jex, he added attitude to an otherwise dry book. It was quite a bit of jumping around with the characters and some of it was in the same paragraph so it got a little confusing who was talking about whom.
The writing was alright, not very exciting but with just enough oomph to keep me interested in reading. The cover is alright, the way it looks is a little childish so I would’ve thought that it was a children’s book at first glance.
Eh, I liked it.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
Read
May 22, 2017"Errant Spark is one of my favourite reads of the year. It's difficult to find fantasy romance that combines intricate world-building and a fast-moving plot with very memorable characters and exactly the right amount of romance‰ÛÓRonelle Antoinette makes it seem effortless. [...] A fantastic, exciting debut. Highly recommended!"
‰ÛÓ Laura Elliott, Content Editor for Samhain Publishing
‰ÛÓ Laura Elliott, Content Editor for Samhain Publishing
September 22, 2018
5 Cranky Stars
This is a fantastic start to what will hopefully be a great series. It has the usual start that gave me a sense of déjà vu. Dark stormy night, a baby is born, no one knows who the father is, the mother won’t tell and then the mother dies. Was hooked right then and there.
The Tora of Egalion is heavy with child and her oldest daughter is worried. Against her mother’s wishes she sends for Kvinna Vassi at the Cyrilan Temple who is a midwife and apothecary. In the meantime, the Tora’s brother, High Mage Eryk and his former apprentice Jex Xander arrive from the Tower. When they learn that the midwife is in route, Jex is sent to intercept and keep her safe. Little does anyone know that the midwife’s apprentice is accompanying her and Jex falls hard when he sees her. Being a Battlemage has not helped him mature in any way and Kvinna Vasi has her hands full with him on the long trip back to the castle.
Suddenly, Jex falls ill and no medications help him. This world has magic both good and bad and therein lies the problem. Who has cursed the young battlemage or is it a pox from his loose way with women. The whole family dynamic at the Castle is full of lies and secrets.
The suspense makes this a page turner that can’t be put down. I was lucky to already have Book 2 in my possession so on I went. Who needs sleep anyway?
This is a fantastic start to what will hopefully be a great series. It has the usual start that gave me a sense of déjà vu. Dark stormy night, a baby is born, no one knows who the father is, the mother won’t tell and then the mother dies. Was hooked right then and there.
The Tora of Egalion is heavy with child and her oldest daughter is worried. Against her mother’s wishes she sends for Kvinna Vassi at the Cyrilan Temple who is a midwife and apothecary. In the meantime, the Tora’s brother, High Mage Eryk and his former apprentice Jex Xander arrive from the Tower. When they learn that the midwife is in route, Jex is sent to intercept and keep her safe. Little does anyone know that the midwife’s apprentice is accompanying her and Jex falls hard when he sees her. Being a Battlemage has not helped him mature in any way and Kvinna Vasi has her hands full with him on the long trip back to the castle.
Suddenly, Jex falls ill and no medications help him. This world has magic both good and bad and therein lies the problem. Who has cursed the young battlemage or is it a pox from his loose way with women. The whole family dynamic at the Castle is full of lies and secrets.
The suspense makes this a page turner that can’t be put down. I was lucky to already have Book 2 in my possession so on I went. Who needs sleep anyway?
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews