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Shards of a Broken Sword #1-3
Shards of a Broken Sword: The Complete Trilogy
In TWELVE DAYS OF FAERY, King Markon of Montalier is at the end of his tether. His son, Prince Parrin, is afflicted by a nasty curse that brutally attacks any woman with whom he so much as flirts. Markon, accompanied by a mysterious enchantress, must enter Faery to break the curse. He’s collecting clues, but she seems to be collecting shards of an ancient, broken sword…Rafiq has FIRE IN THE BLOOD. When the crafty Prince Akish attempts to rescue Princess Kayami Koto from a dragon-guarded and enchanted keep, it seems only sensible to bring his own dragon. Bound to Akish by an old, spiteful piece of magic held in a single shard of an ancient sword, Rafiq has no choice but to help. There to assist is serving maid Kako– mistress of many secrets, and perhaps the only person who can free Rafiq from his bondage.Llassar is feeling THE FIRST CHILL OF AUTUMN. Fae began to filter slowly into the land shortly after the birth of the crown princess, Dion ferch Alawn, and now there isn’t a town in Llassar that isn’t under their control. To unite her country and save her world, Dion ferch Alawn must gather all the shards of the Broken Sword that will seal away Faery once and for all.BONUS A short story featuring Carmine and Fancy, never before published!
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
244 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
44 books1,082 followersW.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 24, 2017
So it won't surprise any of you who have been following my reviews for any length of time to find me reviewing yet ANOTHER W.R. Gingell book. Seriously, I think it's time I admit that I've become a Gingell-addict. But it's an addiction I don't plan to fight any time soon!
This book was actually three books in one volume, connected by various plot threads. So I'll do a mini review for each one, slightly different from my usual format.
TWELVE DAYS OF FAERIE
This first story in the trilogy immediately plunges the reader right into the middle of the delightful W.R. Gingell turn of phrase and humor that I've come to anticipate from any of her books. It's clever, with lots of twists and turns to the plot, and the Fae element is very . . . well, very Fae. Very classic fairy in the most frightening, dangerous, unnatural, beautiful sort of sense. I just love it.
The hero, King Markon, serves as a unique sort of unexpected hero, in that he thinks his son--who's in his early twenties--is the hero/love interest for the heroine. But he Markon isn't so old or over-the-hill as all that, and his sense of adventure and romance is as keen as any younger man's! He's quite sweet and quite heroic by turns, and I loved watching him fall head-over-heels for the much younger Anthea. And Anthea is everything I love in a Gingell heroine--quick, smart, and always two or three steps ahead of the rest of the cast. (Not only in the mystery, but also in matters of the heart!)
The story itself is done up like a Who Dunnit mystery, but with a magical twist. It's creepy and delightful all at the same time.
I'd give this book a solid 4.5 stars.
FIRE IN THE BLOOD
I wasn't sure I wanted to move on to this story immediately after Twelve Days of Faerie, because I was convinced I couldn't get as attached to these characters as I was to Markon and Anthea. But . . . I was wrong.
I absolutely LOVED Rafiq, the draconian hero if this tale! At first I wasn't sure I would bond to a dragon main character, but once he took on his human shape, he quickly won me over. This story is arranged as a series of magical tests that the hero and the prince to whom he's enslaved must solve on their mission to rescue a sleeping princess. Each test was unique and fascinating (and some downright hilarious!).
The heroine, Kako, was fantastic. Such a great foil for both Rafiq and his handsome-but-horrible master, Prince Akish. Another classically feisty Gingell-heroine, but she makes her own splash quite unique from Anthea or the others. She has plenty of secrets and demonstrates great heroism in the face of impossible odds (that ending!!!!). But I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep my mouth shut . . .
This story gave me STRONG Diana Wynne Jones vibes again! Anyone who knows me knows that's going to make for major points in my favor. Of the three stories in this trilogy, this one was my favorite, so I'm going to give it 5 stars all the way!
THE FIRST CHILL OF AUTUMN
This final story in the trilogy brings together some of the mysterious threads left hanging from the previous two stories--specifically those threads concerning the shards of a particular magical sword. It has a different mood from the others--more somber, perhaps more distant. The pacing is slower as well, though there is always an undercurrent of tension that keeps the reader turning pages.
Dion was a different sort of heroine for Gingell to write in that she's quieter, shyer, less sure of herself, and makes more outright mistakes. But this endeared her to me as well, because she was also strong, brave, and selfless. It just took a little more time for these qualities--though always present inside her--to come to the forefront. I liked watching her surmount her own limitations to be come the heroine needed to save the day at the end, and her quiet strength won me over.
However . . . I didn't much care for her major love interest in this book. I wanted to love him, but I just couldn't! I felt like he infantilized the heroine, which drove me nuts. I did love the surprise twist at the end concerning him . . . a twist which opened the door for the ending I was actually hoping for all along. So I give Gingell all the credit for pulling that off so deftly!
This was my least favorite of the three. Which isn't to say I disliked it! No, no, not at all. Even Gingell books that I like less than others are still superior reads, in my opinion! She's just got such a delightful imagination and such a uniquely fun way with words. So even when I'm not perfectly enthralled, I'm still ultimately pleased. And I'll give this book 4 stars as a result.
I need to take care and space out my Gingell reads, or I'm going to end up blasting through her entire library of works too quickly! Seriously, reader friends, if you are a fan of Diana Wynne Jones or Patricia C. Wrede, you really should give W.R. Gingell a shot. And this particular volume us, in my opinion, a GREAT place to start exploring her works.
This book was actually three books in one volume, connected by various plot threads. So I'll do a mini review for each one, slightly different from my usual format.
TWELVE DAYS OF FAERIE
This first story in the trilogy immediately plunges the reader right into the middle of the delightful W.R. Gingell turn of phrase and humor that I've come to anticipate from any of her books. It's clever, with lots of twists and turns to the plot, and the Fae element is very . . . well, very Fae. Very classic fairy in the most frightening, dangerous, unnatural, beautiful sort of sense. I just love it.
The hero, King Markon, serves as a unique sort of unexpected hero, in that he thinks his son--who's in his early twenties--is the hero/love interest for the heroine. But he Markon isn't so old or over-the-hill as all that, and his sense of adventure and romance is as keen as any younger man's! He's quite sweet and quite heroic by turns, and I loved watching him fall head-over-heels for the much younger Anthea. And Anthea is everything I love in a Gingell heroine--quick, smart, and always two or three steps ahead of the rest of the cast. (Not only in the mystery, but also in matters of the heart!)
The story itself is done up like a Who Dunnit mystery, but with a magical twist. It's creepy and delightful all at the same time.
I'd give this book a solid 4.5 stars.
FIRE IN THE BLOOD
I wasn't sure I wanted to move on to this story immediately after Twelve Days of Faerie, because I was convinced I couldn't get as attached to these characters as I was to Markon and Anthea. But . . . I was wrong.
I absolutely LOVED Rafiq, the draconian hero if this tale! At first I wasn't sure I would bond to a dragon main character, but once he took on his human shape, he quickly won me over. This story is arranged as a series of magical tests that the hero and the prince to whom he's enslaved must solve on their mission to rescue a sleeping princess. Each test was unique and fascinating (and some downright hilarious!).
The heroine, Kako, was fantastic. Such a great foil for both Rafiq and his handsome-but-horrible master, Prince Akish. Another classically feisty Gingell-heroine, but she makes her own splash quite unique from Anthea or the others. She has plenty of secrets and demonstrates great heroism in the face of impossible odds (that ending!!!!). But I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep my mouth shut . . .
This story gave me STRONG Diana Wynne Jones vibes again! Anyone who knows me knows that's going to make for major points in my favor. Of the three stories in this trilogy, this one was my favorite, so I'm going to give it 5 stars all the way!
THE FIRST CHILL OF AUTUMN
This final story in the trilogy brings together some of the mysterious threads left hanging from the previous two stories--specifically those threads concerning the shards of a particular magical sword. It has a different mood from the others--more somber, perhaps more distant. The pacing is slower as well, though there is always an undercurrent of tension that keeps the reader turning pages.
Dion was a different sort of heroine for Gingell to write in that she's quieter, shyer, less sure of herself, and makes more outright mistakes. But this endeared her to me as well, because she was also strong, brave, and selfless. It just took a little more time for these qualities--though always present inside her--to come to the forefront. I liked watching her surmount her own limitations to be come the heroine needed to save the day at the end, and her quiet strength won me over.
However . . . I didn't much care for her major love interest in this book. I wanted to love him, but I just couldn't! I felt like he infantilized the heroine, which drove me nuts. I did love the surprise twist at the end concerning him . . . a twist which opened the door for the ending I was actually hoping for all along. So I give Gingell all the credit for pulling that off so deftly!
This was my least favorite of the three. Which isn't to say I disliked it! No, no, not at all. Even Gingell books that I like less than others are still superior reads, in my opinion! She's just got such a delightful imagination and such a uniquely fun way with words. So even when I'm not perfectly enthralled, I'm still ultimately pleased. And I'll give this book 4 stars as a result.
I need to take care and space out my Gingell reads, or I'm going to end up blasting through her entire library of works too quickly! Seriously, reader friends, if you are a fan of Diana Wynne Jones or Patricia C. Wrede, you really should give W.R. Gingell a shot. And this particular volume us, in my opinion, a GREAT place to start exploring her works.
September 4, 2017
Super into this. I really like how W.R. Gingell writes/plots out her stories. It's not over-the-top angst or drama. It's just entertaining and fun. Also, pretty much everyone is competent! Huzzah!
Absolutely loved the first two novellas in this series, liked the third less so. I think it either needed to lose a subplot, or be longer and better developed.
12 Days in Faerie is everything I love in a fairy story. A potential curse! A kingdom in trouble! Magic! A Mysterious enchantress! A fun love story! (Okay, it's a slight case of insta-love, but it's reasonably well done for all that, and I'm giving it a pass because of the novella length.) I really liked the characters in this. The king and the enchantress are both super great, and the dialogue is excellent.
Fire in the Blood is also super great. It's basically turning Rapunzel on its head. The description made me wary, but I was very quickly reassured, because the Prince is very much cast as one of the villains in the piece. I really enjoyed Kako and Rafiq as well. This one also doesn't suffer from insta-love issues . This also features more delightful dialogue. I feel like it's one of Gingell's strengths. Like the first, this one is also a bit of a puzzle book.
The First Chill of Autumn is my least favourite. It's a bit different in tone, but it also felt a bit light and slight for the subject matter. Dion knows she's prophesied to give her life for her people on page one. This one is just a lot darker than the other two, and I wasn't really expecting it. Also, because of the more involved subject-matter, and all the personal sacrifice (throughout the novel), I thought this needed to be longer. Plus, a few things, in this there is an argument made that the Fae are just as likely as a human to be decent and good, except literally all the Fae they come across are essentially evil, except the three in their merry band trying to reunite the pieces of the broken sword, so the book kind of undermines its own argument there. Which means that a bunch of the group trusts each other ridiculously quickly. I mean, the tone of the novel means the reader knows it's justified, BUT. Also, the romance... .
I did like the callbacks to the other books, and seeing familiar characters. But the third was under-developed for its subject matter/heavier tone.
And the short story about Carmine and Fancy made me laugh.
Overall, the world is great. The third just slightly missed the mark for me.
Totally going to track down the rest of Gingell's work, because I tend to like her tone and dialgoue.
Absolutely loved the first two novellas in this series, liked the third less so. I think it either needed to lose a subplot, or be longer and better developed.
12 Days in Faerie is everything I love in a fairy story. A potential curse! A kingdom in trouble! Magic! A Mysterious enchantress! A fun love story! (Okay, it's a slight case of insta-love, but it's reasonably well done for all that, and I'm giving it a pass because of the novella length.) I really liked the characters in this. The king and the enchantress are both super great, and the dialogue is excellent.
Fire in the Blood is also super great. It's basically turning Rapunzel on its head. The description made me wary, but I was very quickly reassured, because the Prince is very much cast as one of the villains in the piece. I really enjoyed Kako and Rafiq as well. This one also doesn't suffer from insta-love issues . This also features more delightful dialogue. I feel like it's one of Gingell's strengths. Like the first, this one is also a bit of a puzzle book.
The First Chill of Autumn is my least favourite. It's a bit different in tone, but it also felt a bit light and slight for the subject matter. Dion knows she's prophesied to give her life for her people on page one. This one is just a lot darker than the other two, and I wasn't really expecting it. Also, because of the more involved subject-matter, and all the personal sacrifice (throughout the novel), I thought this needed to be longer. Plus, a few things, in this there is an argument made that the Fae are just as likely as a human to be decent and good, except literally all the Fae they come across are essentially evil, except the three in their merry band trying to reunite the pieces of the broken sword, so the book kind of undermines its own argument there. Which means that a bunch of the group trusts each other ridiculously quickly. I mean, the tone of the novel means the reader knows it's justified, BUT. Also, the romance... .
I did like the callbacks to the other books, and seeing familiar characters. But the third was under-developed for its subject matter/heavier tone.
And the short story about Carmine and Fancy made me laugh.
Overall, the world is great. The third just slightly missed the mark for me.
Totally going to track down the rest of Gingell's work, because I tend to like her tone and dialgoue.
January 1, 2025
This trilogy is so intensely fascinating and gripping that I binged the entire three books in a single day. Highly recommend!
April 12, 2017
I usually love magic systems that are well-defined with clear limits. This book doesn't have that, and yet I love the way the magic system is described (convincing the wall it wasn't a wall, ha).
I usually don't care about romance at all. Yet, in these books, I really liked the romance. It's slow, charming, and not at all focused on what the other person looks like.
I don't usually want to read about Fae. I don't usually want to read about an MC who is old enough to have children. I usually don't like when characters die. I don't usually like when books in a series switch povs.
I guess this book isn't like other books.
Fire In The Blood, the 2nd novella here, was my favorite of the three. Dragons and a moving riddle-castle.
Masque and Spindle remain my favorite Gingell books ever, though. I love those retellings.
I usually don't care about romance at all. Yet, in these books, I really liked the romance. It's slow, charming, and not at all focused on what the other person looks like.
I don't usually want to read about Fae. I don't usually want to read about an MC who is old enough to have children. I usually don't like when characters die. I don't usually like when books in a series switch povs.
I guess this book isn't like other books.
Fire In The Blood, the 2nd novella here, was my favorite of the three. Dragons and a moving riddle-castle.
Masque and Spindle remain my favorite Gingell books ever, though. I love those retellings.
October 2, 2017
This is more of a 4.5 star read, really. The first of the trilogy was a 4, the second a 4.5, and the third a 5. I liked the way the first two were stand alones until the third book linked them together, and the tiny ficlet at the end added to that first story, too.
The fae have been slowly taking over - sometimes by stealth, sometimes by invitation, sometimes by force, and the need to close up the links between the two worlds to prevent further incursion is the real force behind the stories, but this only becomes really clear by the third book - hence my comment about it pulling all the threads together. The first story seems to be about an enchantress helping a young prince break a nasty curse that attacks on any young woman he takes a fancy to, with the usual 'reward' of his hand in marriage; the second seems, at first, to be about a prince, a dragon, and the rescue of a princess. Both are not at all that simple and subvert the usual tropes very interestingly. The third ties all the shards together.
And it is not a spoiler so I feel I can say 'Oh-Padraig...!'
The fae have been slowly taking over - sometimes by stealth, sometimes by invitation, sometimes by force, and the need to close up the links between the two worlds to prevent further incursion is the real force behind the stories, but this only becomes really clear by the third book - hence my comment about it pulling all the threads together. The first story seems to be about an enchantress helping a young prince break a nasty curse that attacks on any young woman he takes a fancy to, with the usual 'reward' of his hand in marriage; the second seems, at first, to be about a prince, a dragon, and the rescue of a princess. Both are not at all that simple and subvert the usual tropes very interestingly. The third ties all the shards together.
And it is not a spoiler so I feel I can say 'Oh-Padraig...!'
October 1, 2017
Three for one
It was great to get this as a complete set, no waiting for the next installment. I've read maybe half a dozen books by this author, all different, and none disappointed. They also are books I wouldn't hesitate to give my 13-year-old granddaughter (If only she were interested in fantasy!) and yet they don't have a "young adult" feel to them, rather they are ageless.
It was great to get this as a complete set, no waiting for the next installment. I've read maybe half a dozen books by this author, all different, and none disappointed. They also are books I wouldn't hesitate to give my 13-year-old granddaughter (If only she were interested in fantasy!) and yet they don't have a "young adult" feel to them, rather they are ageless.
September 18, 2018
I only read the first novella of three in this book, and it was interesting but not enough to make me want to read the other two. I knew I was probably being optimistic, purchasing the set without having ready anything by this author, and now I just want my $7 back. :(
January 2, 2021
Quick read, but very enjoyable.
May 26, 2017
4.5
The author's style of writing is a little confusing, but now that I've got a better handle on it I'm enjoying her books more.
Part 1
Twelve Days of Fairy
I have never read a book with a main character who is 45+ with a grown child, and I didn't expect to relate or enjoy this story. I was in for a surprise. Maybe not the relating part, but I definitely loved the action, world building, and characters. Plus, a murder mystery! Yay!
Part 2
Fire in the Blood
Thar be dragons! *girlish squeal* Love you, Rafiq! Also, don't you just love it when a-hole characters get what's coming to them and die in terribly painful ways?
Part 3
The First Chill of Autumn
The ending of this one got a little cliche for me, but all-in-all a good book.
I loved the way all the stories were weaved together in the end and all the cameos of characters in previous stories. I want to give this author a hug because in every story she writes, I know I can count on there being a strong, capable females to save the day (who are not found in other YA novels).
The author's style of writing is a little confusing, but now that I've got a better handle on it I'm enjoying her books more.
Part 1
Twelve Days of Fairy
I have never read a book with a main character who is 45+ with a grown child, and I didn't expect to relate or enjoy this story. I was in for a surprise. Maybe not the relating part, but I definitely loved the action, world building, and characters. Plus, a murder mystery! Yay!
Part 2
Fire in the Blood
Thar be dragons! *girlish squeal* Love you, Rafiq! Also, don't you just love it when a-hole characters get what's coming to them and die in terribly painful ways?
Part 3
The First Chill of Autumn
The ending of this one got a little cliche for me, but all-in-all a good book.
I loved the way all the stories were weaved together in the end and all the cameos of characters in previous stories. I want to give this author a hug because in every story she writes, I know I can count on there being a strong, capable females to save the day (who are not found in other YA novels).
June 20, 2018
4.5 stars
This was a highly enjoyable read. Each of the three novels within (plus the two short stories at the end) tied together so beautifully. The author obviously took great time and care into weaving everything together into a tapestry filled with Fae magic, witty dialogue, intriguing characters, and (probably what I enjoyed most), the bonds between them.
In the first novel, "Twelve Days of Faery", things take an interesting twist as King Markon seeks out the aid of an enchantress (Althea) to remove the curse believed to be on his son, Prince Parrin. I won't say what the twist is, other to say that it was incredibly refreshing.
In the second novel, "Fire in the Blood", we meet a dragon capable of taking human form--and while this theme isn't new to me, the character of Rafiq proved to be very interesting. When put together with Kako, whom helps him and the prince he's enslaved to sort through a series of puzzles (again, avoiding spoilers), things take an interesting turn that, though I had guessed at one aspect of Kako's true nature, was still no less thrilling when revealed.
The third novel, "The First Chill of Autumn" really sets the stage for the finale; first by introducing a new set of characters, that at first glance, seem to have nothing to do with those in the first two books--then over time, establishes the connection between them in a way so fluid that everything fits together naturally.
What I enjoyed most was, as I said above, the characters' bonds with one another. Each set of characters from each novel had a different relationship. Even those engaged in the same kind of relationship were handled differently, further showcasing them as both individuals and the marked difference in their personalities and how they came to be in each other's company. Moreover, the relationships between characters weren't simply romantic or mentor/pupil, familial, etc. They were as richly complex as the characters themselves, showing that relationships can and will change between people, for better or for worse.
All in all a wonderful read. The descriptions were lush, the characters fascinating, and the plot engaging to the last.
Definitely would recommend this one.
This was a highly enjoyable read. Each of the three novels within (plus the two short stories at the end) tied together so beautifully. The author obviously took great time and care into weaving everything together into a tapestry filled with Fae magic, witty dialogue, intriguing characters, and (probably what I enjoyed most), the bonds between them.
In the first novel, "Twelve Days of Faery", things take an interesting twist as King Markon seeks out the aid of an enchantress (Althea) to remove the curse believed to be on his son, Prince Parrin. I won't say what the twist is, other to say that it was incredibly refreshing.
In the second novel, "Fire in the Blood", we meet a dragon capable of taking human form--and while this theme isn't new to me, the character of Rafiq proved to be very interesting. When put together with Kako, whom helps him and the prince he's enslaved to sort through a series of puzzles (again, avoiding spoilers), things take an interesting turn that, though I had guessed at one aspect of Kako's true nature, was still no less thrilling when revealed.
The third novel, "The First Chill of Autumn" really sets the stage for the finale; first by introducing a new set of characters, that at first glance, seem to have nothing to do with those in the first two books--then over time, establishes the connection between them in a way so fluid that everything fits together naturally.
What I enjoyed most was, as I said above, the characters' bonds with one another. Each set of characters from each novel had a different relationship. Even those engaged in the same kind of relationship were handled differently, further showcasing them as both individuals and the marked difference in their personalities and how they came to be in each other's company. Moreover, the relationships between characters weren't simply romantic or mentor/pupil, familial, etc. They were as richly complex as the characters themselves, showing that relationships can and will change between people, for better or for worse.
All in all a wonderful read. The descriptions were lush, the characters fascinating, and the plot engaging to the last.
Definitely would recommend this one.
March 3, 2024
This book consists of 3 novellas, united vaguely by the titular broken sword.
I got all three in one Kindle file, and the formatting was strange. The table of context didn't differentiate between the novellas. One page, the last chapter of one novella ended, and the next page, the first chapter of the next novella started. The reader has to guess which is which. Seems a weird approach for three different stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TWELVE DAYS OF FAERY (#1) - 4 stars
I read this story in 2016 and posted a review then. I re-read it this time, and I stand by my old review. You could read it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FIRE IN THE BLOOD (#2) - 3.5 stars
Dragons, dragons, dragons ... Charming and short, this story resembled a fairy tale more than any other genre. There was lots of magic, nothing was explained, the action galloped in all directions, and if a reader expected some kind of logic, she would be disappointed. I didn't expect logic, so I enjoyed this whimsical little gem of a novella.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE FIRST CHILL OF AUTUMN (#3) - 2 stars
This was the only novella in the collection which was actually about the shards of a broken sword, and I liked it least. Unlike the other two novellas, which read like a cheerful and slightly bizarre mix of fairy tales, fantasy, and myth, this one reminded me so much of the real world in the here and now, it was scary and disturbing. The parallels were glaring, and the charm of fiction was almost stripped from the story. Instead, real life politics intertwined with the plot to an alarming degree, despite the trapping of fantasy and magic. The ending was sad, even tragic, as if the author couldn't extricate her heroes from the trap closing around them. Just like in real life. But if I wanted to read about the current events and get depressed, I would read the news. As I wanted an escape from the disheartening news, this story disappointed me on the deepest level.
I got all three in one Kindle file, and the formatting was strange. The table of context didn't differentiate between the novellas. One page, the last chapter of one novella ended, and the next page, the first chapter of the next novella started. The reader has to guess which is which. Seems a weird approach for three different stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TWELVE DAYS OF FAERY (#1) - 4 stars
I read this story in 2016 and posted a review then. I re-read it this time, and I stand by my old review. You could read it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FIRE IN THE BLOOD (#2) - 3.5 stars
Dragons, dragons, dragons ... Charming and short, this story resembled a fairy tale more than any other genre. There was lots of magic, nothing was explained, the action galloped in all directions, and if a reader expected some kind of logic, she would be disappointed. I didn't expect logic, so I enjoyed this whimsical little gem of a novella.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE FIRST CHILL OF AUTUMN (#3) - 2 stars
This was the only novella in the collection which was actually about the shards of a broken sword, and I liked it least. Unlike the other two novellas, which read like a cheerful and slightly bizarre mix of fairy tales, fantasy, and myth, this one reminded me so much of the real world in the here and now, it was scary and disturbing. The parallels were glaring, and the charm of fiction was almost stripped from the story. Instead, real life politics intertwined with the plot to an alarming degree, despite the trapping of fantasy and magic. The ending was sad, even tragic, as if the author couldn't extricate her heroes from the trap closing around them. Just like in real life. But if I wanted to read about the current events and get depressed, I would read the news. As I wanted an escape from the disheartening news, this story disappointed me on the deepest level.
July 16, 2019
These are three unique and refreshing young adult novellas, an entertaining trio of stories about fae, dragons, princesses, a terrible prophecy, and a threatened kingdom. While the novellas initially seem like standalones, the shards of a sword in each are a thread running through all the stories and ties them together by the end. The stories are uncomplicated - easily readable by anyone. The characters, interactions, and dialogue range from silly to sad but the tone overall is hopeful. There's some romance which is tender and innocent in each of the novellas.
Novella 1: Twelve Days of Faery
The enchantress Althea seeks to break the curse on the Crown Prince Parrin which inflicts any woman that loves or flirts with him. Althea and King Markon pursue the clues to determine if it's humans or fae that are causing trouble.
Novella 2: Fire in the Blood
Rogue Prince Akish and his dragon Rafiq intend to steal a hostage princess from the Enchanted Keep which is protected by another dragon. To find the princess, they must navigate seven circles of challenges.
Novella 3: The First Chill of Autumn
Dion ferch Alawn is Princess Heir of Llassar. She has a twin sister Aerwn. When Dion was three years old, the Fae started arriving in their kingdom, having been driven out by the warmonger Guardians. From her Fae tutors, she develops her talent for magic. A tall black man named Barric appears magically in her oval dressing mirror.but Dion in the only one who can see him. From Barric, Dion learns that the shards of the broken sword must be reforged to protect the human world from the Fae by sealing the portal. And she is the one destined to do it.
Novella 1: Twelve Days of Faery
The enchantress Althea seeks to break the curse on the Crown Prince Parrin which inflicts any woman that loves or flirts with him. Althea and King Markon pursue the clues to determine if it's humans or fae that are causing trouble.
Novella 2: Fire in the Blood
Rogue Prince Akish and his dragon Rafiq intend to steal a hostage princess from the Enchanted Keep which is protected by another dragon. To find the princess, they must navigate seven circles of challenges.
Novella 3: The First Chill of Autumn
Dion ferch Alawn is Princess Heir of Llassar. She has a twin sister Aerwn. When Dion was three years old, the Fae started arriving in their kingdom, having been driven out by the warmonger Guardians. From her Fae tutors, she develops her talent for magic. A tall black man named Barric appears magically in her oval dressing mirror.but Dion in the only one who can see him. From Barric, Dion learns that the shards of the broken sword must be reforged to protect the human world from the Fae by sealing the portal. And she is the one destined to do it.
May 30, 2019
The first story, Twelve Days of Faerie, hooked me instantly. An enchantress appears to break the a prince's curse. But the main character isn't the prince, but his father. He works together with the enchantress to visit faery and break the curse. This story swept me away to a magical world with a mystery to solve and romantic undertones. I was a bit put off by far too many semicolons in the writing, but the story more than made up for their distraction.
The second installment, Fire in the Blood, brought about a new cast of characters in a completely different story. At first I was bothered by this as I was looking forward to another tale with Markon and Althea. But this story grabbed me as well and my disappointment waned. In this story, the author throws the prince rescuing the princess trope on its head. The story is about a prince in search of rescuing a princess. But the main character isn't the prince. He's actually a pretty lousy guy. And the person in need of rescue isn't the princess, but the prince's dragon servant, Rafiq.
In the final installment, The First Chill of Autumn, Princess Dion learns that her kingdom is in desperate need of saving from the Fae. Thus begins her quest to collect the shards of a broken sword to seal the barrier between the worlds. This leads her back to the characters we'd met in the prior story and ties the entire trilogy up nicely.
If you enjoy magical stories with adventure, intrigue, and a little romance, be sure to collect Shards of a Broken Sword.
The second installment, Fire in the Blood, brought about a new cast of characters in a completely different story. At first I was bothered by this as I was looking forward to another tale with Markon and Althea. But this story grabbed me as well and my disappointment waned. In this story, the author throws the prince rescuing the princess trope on its head. The story is about a prince in search of rescuing a princess. But the main character isn't the prince. He's actually a pretty lousy guy. And the person in need of rescue isn't the princess, but the prince's dragon servant, Rafiq.
In the final installment, The First Chill of Autumn, Princess Dion learns that her kingdom is in desperate need of saving from the Fae. Thus begins her quest to collect the shards of a broken sword to seal the barrier between the worlds. This leads her back to the characters we'd met in the prior story and ties the entire trilogy up nicely.
If you enjoy magical stories with adventure, intrigue, and a little romance, be sure to collect Shards of a Broken Sword.
January 13, 2019
Author W.R Gingell has produced a delightful series in the Shards of a Broken Sword trilogy. Containing three distinct story lines with marvelous characters it is an enjoyable read which moves along at a cracking pace, ensuring that there is never a dull moment.
My favorite feature of this book was the characters; each was distinct, with their own motivations. Utilizing stream of consciousness we are able to relate to the trials they are enduring and agonize over the decisions they make. While I found this really enjoyable, in places it did make the plot line rather obvious but this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the stories.
In the final book the separate story lines are woven together and while there was the chance that this could appear contrived, it didn’t. I feel that in part this was due to the predictability of the plot but despite this I still found the book exceptionally enjoyable.
The Complete Trilogy also had the added benefit of two mini stories, which focused on resolving some of the grey areas which remained at the conclusion of the series. I thought this was a great idea.
I highly recommend this book for readers who like fantasy with a twist and the romantics at heart.
4 Stars
My favorite feature of this book was the characters; each was distinct, with their own motivations. Utilizing stream of consciousness we are able to relate to the trials they are enduring and agonize over the decisions they make. While I found this really enjoyable, in places it did make the plot line rather obvious but this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the stories.
In the final book the separate story lines are woven together and while there was the chance that this could appear contrived, it didn’t. I feel that in part this was due to the predictability of the plot but despite this I still found the book exceptionally enjoyable.
The Complete Trilogy also had the added benefit of two mini stories, which focused on resolving some of the grey areas which remained at the conclusion of the series. I thought this was a great idea.
I highly recommend this book for readers who like fantasy with a twist and the romantics at heart.
4 Stars
June 15, 2018
You could read one or all three of these stories and be satisfied. The premise was nothing new (save the human world from Faery) but it was handled in a unique way, combining the individual survival stories with an overarching series quest.
The author wrote the first story almost entirely from the male perspective. It was well-done and entertaining. I would have liked a little more character insight into the shero, but her mysteriousness played well in the story.
The second story has more dual-POV, and there was a dragon. Or were there two? I don't want to spoil it. This was my favorite of the three tales, probably because I understood and related to these characters the best.
I had high expectations for the final story. It started out the slowest and much of it felt like "a tale told." It was also 100 percent from the female perspective, so the romance wasn't entirely convincing. I did enjoy the "twist" at the end (if you consider tears a sign of enjoyment).
If you enjoy fantasy quest stories with magic that isn't deeply explained, you will love this trilogy.
The author wrote the first story almost entirely from the male perspective. It was well-done and entertaining. I would have liked a little more character insight into the shero, but her mysteriousness played well in the story.
The second story has more dual-POV, and there was a dragon. Or were there two? I don't want to spoil it. This was my favorite of the three tales, probably because I understood and related to these characters the best.
I had high expectations for the final story. It started out the slowest and much of it felt like "a tale told." It was also 100 percent from the female perspective, so the romance wasn't entirely convincing. I did enjoy the "twist" at the end (if you consider tears a sign of enjoyment).
If you enjoy fantasy quest stories with magic that isn't deeply explained, you will love this trilogy.
January 23, 2018
I must say that by the mid-way point of this series I was very much enjoying myself. However, the first book was a shocker after ending a series by another author. I gave a 4 star not a five because I was not hooked during the first book as there are many words that are not necessary and I learned quickly to skip over to get on with the story. As I realized that the author is obviously English of origin, it became a bit easier to read the text though that lens. Never the less, I did very much enjoy this authors ideas and enjoyed the magical forays into farey (fairy). This series did keep my imagination active and by the end I wanted to keep reading.
May 12, 2019
I bought the books as individual titles, and would highly recommend the complete trilogy. The first two stories are essential to understanding the third one and being able to move on through each volume without a delay is highly desirable. I was so thankful I had bought them all at the same time, as the delay while I waited to acquire the next would have made me impatient.
I enjoyed them so much, I am tempted to sit down and read them all over again... but I have other books from the same author on my to-read list and they are waiting )i(
I enjoyed them so much, I am tempted to sit down and read them all over again... but I have other books from the same author on my to-read list and they are waiting )i(
June 1, 2020
When I first started reading this, I wondered how all the shards would end up together. After all, it seemed like each book was separate from the rest, but then I found out that the third book brought everything together. I loved getting to see the protagonists from the first two books again in book three. There was a certain Fae that I especially enjoyed seeing again. (He could have gotten more screen time, and I would have been perfectly content.)
W.R. Gingell is one of my favourite authors, so it's no surprise to me that I enjoyed it so much.
W.R. Gingell is one of my favourite authors, so it's no surprise to me that I enjoyed it so much.
August 31, 2017
Wow! Amazing book if you like kingdoms, mystery, fairytale like trials, and just enough romance this book is a must read! These three books are alone amazing but together are unbelievably good! Strong characters that are all different in culture, identity, and personality. Good on the edge of your seat plots and conclusions that will make you feel satisfied even though your heart just went on a rollercoaster of emotions.
November 20, 2017
You should read this trilogy for selfish reasons
For those of us who like whole stories, I consider this a must read. A well crafted beginning full of history and promise, a fleshy middle of complex characters and involved situations, a satisfying finish complete with answered questions and unexpected treats.
This is mind candy of the best kind. You are most happy you've read it. It was a self indulgent temporal investment that lacks any regret for having been spent thusly.
For those of us who like whole stories, I consider this a must read. A well crafted beginning full of history and promise, a fleshy middle of complex characters and involved situations, a satisfying finish complete with answered questions and unexpected treats.
This is mind candy of the best kind. You are most happy you've read it. It was a self indulgent temporal investment that lacks any regret for having been spent thusly.
September 11, 2018
An entertaining and easy read. Each part of the trilogy starts out as its own story, however they all connect in the end, which I found to be an interesting writing choice. The romance is a bit idealistic/love at first sight, but it's enjoyable as a sort of fairytale style of writing with added bits of humor and snark. Don't expect realism in this trilogy; but if you're looking for an easy upbeat read, this is it.
January 13, 2019
W.R. Gingell has been added to my list of favorite authors to follow. I fell in love with her book Masque for it's writing style and humor and it carries over to this trilogy. I devoured this set of books and loved the characters and how she brought the characters together in the end. I would recommend this volume to all those that love their fantasy to have heart, humor, and an amazing cast of characters.
January 19, 2024
Better when pulled together
With a couple of short stories to fill in the gaps, too. (No plot spoilers here, in case you haven't read any of them.)
I'd read two? all three? of these classic style Faery tales before, and they can stand alone, but reading them in sequence makes the through line work better. I love all the well drawn characters--human, fae, and other--and seeing them all work together is great. The easy blending of action, fate, and humor is delightful.
With a couple of short stories to fill in the gaps, too. (No plot spoilers here, in case you haven't read any of them.)
I'd read two? all three? of these classic style Faery tales before, and they can stand alone, but reading them in sequence makes the through line work better. I love all the well drawn characters--human, fae, and other--and seeing them all work together is great. The easy blending of action, fate, and humor is delightful.
March 11, 2018
I read a lot of fantasy and I’m always pleasantly surprised when I discover a new series that is well written. This was one of those surprisingly good discoveries. The plots of the 3 books in the series are each very creative and avoid common tropes we see in fantasy today. I really enjoyed reading this series and look forward to following this author.
February 23, 2022
Three stories, the first two come together in the third. The world of humans is being infiltrated by fae coming into this world and taking over sometimes they are invited in sometimes they take over by stealth and other times by brute force. but what can be done to stop them? It's well worth reading this excellent book to find out. I loved it.
December 7, 2017
Wonderful delight to read
This trilogy was delightful, each story different but tied together. I loved the extra tales added at the end. I loved the characters and the description of the world WR creates. Truly worth reading.
This trilogy was delightful, each story different but tied together. I loved the extra tales added at the end. I loved the characters and the description of the world WR creates. Truly worth reading.
June 8, 2018
Great Young Adult Read
This is a great read for a young adult. There is not much character development and the story moves very fast. Overall it is a good story with a good extended ending.
This is a great read for a young adult. There is not much character development and the story moves very fast. Overall it is a good story with a good extended ending.
June 15, 2018
Very good
This book kept me enthralled.
I was wary after the first book ended and it seemed the the second book had nothing to do with the first, but it all makes sense and ties up in the end.
This book kept me enthralled.
I was wary after the first book ended and it seemed the the second book had nothing to do with the first, but it all makes sense and ties up in the end.
August 9, 2018
I loved this trilogy. The fantasies are different but interwined by the final story. Loved the appearance of dragons in book 2. The characters felt real and I cared about them. I was fascinated by the glimpses of the faery world. Just enchanting!!
December 4, 2018
I reread the first in the trilogy and enjoyed it again the second time around. The second story I thought was very clever and unique. The third was not my favourite. It felt like a manga cartoon - I could literally see it, with all its typecast characters, over-witty conversations and gestures.
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