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Tales from Darjee #1
Heart of the Kraken
Ailin doesn't care if the legend is true or not - she's stuck in a crate on her way to feature as the main course at a lavish banquet. Her heart to be served while still beating for a cruel noble while the rest of her is sliced into sashimi. Unless she can escape.
Across the ocean, Fenton longs for a different release. Sold as a child by men who labelled him a mistake, a failed experiment. Except he has one valuable skill, he can summon the dreaded kraken. Bought by a pirate, he has only known life at sea, wielded as a tool by the captain.
Two lives collide when the pirates capture the vessel holding Ailin. The kraken holds the key to Ailin's freedom but in summoning the beast one last time, Fenton must choose between losing his life or his heart...
Across the ocean, Fenton longs for a different release. Sold as a child by men who labelled him a mistake, a failed experiment. Except he has one valuable skill, he can summon the dreaded kraken. Bought by a pirate, he has only known life at sea, wielded as a tool by the captain.
Two lives collide when the pirates capture the vessel holding Ailin. The kraken holds the key to Ailin's freedom but in summoning the beast one last time, Fenton must choose between losing his life or his heart...
203 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
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618 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 9, 2015
Fenton is a product of the ore-mancers craft,who with their dark powers can meld flesh and metal. But in his case their experimenting to merge a human with a kraken didnt turn out as planned and he was deemed a failure. As a child he was bought by the vicious pirate captain Reis who captains the Razors Edge.
All sailors feared when the demon would rise from the darkness far below and tear apart friend and foe alike. Fenton feared the void the kraken created inside him. He had to touch its dark mind to control the monster's path and relay the captain's instructions. Only Fenton could control the kraken, and the captain controlled Fenton and he hated them both for it.
Fearful of his powers to call the Kraken the cutthroat crew barely tolerates him except for his fellow victim of the oremancers, Timmy the boy with a spyglass fused into his empty eye socket.
The Razors Edge happens on a small vessel after the carnage is over its revealed to be a research ship sent out on orders of the ruler of Darjee to bring back a precious but unusual cargo...
Pale fingers wrapped around the edge and the body sat upright. Water streamed from long black hair and plastered it around head, shoulders and chest..
A mermaid.
It is said that whoever consumes the still beating heart of a mearmaid will be able to know the mind and secrets of all men. A power the wicked and cruel Lady Alise would very much like to posess.
Realizing they are sitting on a goldmine if they were to bring her what she covets instead of the scientist crew. They take the caged mermaid and set sails for the Island of Illusion.
Fenton is drawn to the mermaid, who he learns is named Ailin at first from pity for her,then fascination and finally love. Even if Reis ridicules him and says the mermaids sirens ways is rotting his brain.
Ailin has been trapped in the stifling dark coffin for what feels like an eternity but this landwalker opens her cage and treats her with respect. She is unable to read him as she can others and his affinity with the kraken is strange to her as its a creature to be feared but Fenton is anything but that. Soon her feelings starts to mirror his.
He wants to free her as long as Reis is his jailer he cant leave or disobey his commands.
This book did have a twist that I didnt expect but probably should have guessed at by the hints that were dropped but I didnt.So bravo author for throwing in a surprise.
But here is the thing that I have to mention this book feels very derivative of Pirates of Carribean movies 3 and 4, and also towards the a scene made me think of Disneys the Little Mermaid. I wont tell you what but it struck me as very similar as something that happens towards the end of that film.
This is very much a dark fantasy
The oremancers what we learn about them is enough to give you the creeps.When someone is disabled in someway danaged they are given over to the oremancers to be "fixed".
We also hear something of the Lady Alise,ruler of Darjee nothing wich makes me think good things of her even if she doesnt show up in person.
Even the way the characters are described reminds me of Philip and Syrena from POTC.
The writing and dialogue has a quality that makes you feel a bit detached from the story.There is a formal quality to the dialogue that brings to mind like watching a movie.
But know what? I liked their romance from the movie and so I couldnt help but like Fenton and Ailins romance too.
I loved the ending...it was very beautiful.
So in the end I feel a bit torn. Should I judge it on the fact that it reminds me too much of another piece of fiction and has its weak bits or should I ignore that and just give it a good rating?
Ive decide to go with the latter.
All sailors feared when the demon would rise from the darkness far below and tear apart friend and foe alike. Fenton feared the void the kraken created inside him. He had to touch its dark mind to control the monster's path and relay the captain's instructions. Only Fenton could control the kraken, and the captain controlled Fenton and he hated them both for it.
Fearful of his powers to call the Kraken the cutthroat crew barely tolerates him except for his fellow victim of the oremancers, Timmy the boy with a spyglass fused into his empty eye socket.
The Razors Edge happens on a small vessel after the carnage is over its revealed to be a research ship sent out on orders of the ruler of Darjee to bring back a precious but unusual cargo...
Pale fingers wrapped around the edge and the body sat upright. Water streamed from long black hair and plastered it around head, shoulders and chest..
A mermaid.
It is said that whoever consumes the still beating heart of a mearmaid will be able to know the mind and secrets of all men. A power the wicked and cruel Lady Alise would very much like to posess.
Realizing they are sitting on a goldmine if they were to bring her what she covets instead of the scientist crew. They take the caged mermaid and set sails for the Island of Illusion.
Fenton is drawn to the mermaid, who he learns is named Ailin at first from pity for her,then fascination and finally love. Even if Reis ridicules him and says the mermaids sirens ways is rotting his brain.
Ailin has been trapped in the stifling dark coffin for what feels like an eternity but this landwalker opens her cage and treats her with respect. She is unable to read him as she can others and his affinity with the kraken is strange to her as its a creature to be feared but Fenton is anything but that. Soon her feelings starts to mirror his.
He wants to free her as long as Reis is his jailer he cant leave or disobey his commands.
This book did have a twist that I didnt expect but probably should have guessed at by the hints that were dropped but I didnt.So bravo author for throwing in a surprise.
But here is the thing that I have to mention this book feels very derivative of Pirates of Carribean movies 3 and 4, and also towards the a scene made me think of Disneys the Little Mermaid. I wont tell you what but it struck me as very similar as something that happens towards the end of that film.
This is very much a dark fantasy
The oremancers what we learn about them is enough to give you the creeps.When someone is disabled in someway danaged they are given over to the oremancers to be "fixed".
We also hear something of the Lady Alise,ruler of Darjee nothing wich makes me think good things of her even if she doesnt show up in person.
Even the way the characters are described reminds me of Philip and Syrena from POTC.
The writing and dialogue has a quality that makes you feel a bit detached from the story.There is a formal quality to the dialogue that brings to mind like watching a movie.
But know what? I liked their romance from the movie and so I couldnt help but like Fenton and Ailins romance too.
I loved the ending...it was very beautiful.
So in the end I feel a bit torn. Should I judge it on the fact that it reminds me too much of another piece of fiction and has its weak bits or should I ignore that and just give it a good rating?
Ive decide to go with the latter.
Want to read
September 13, 2016UGH. That cover, though.
October 4, 2018
So, I went into thinking it was going to be a love story. It really was but, parts of it made me cringe thinking it was about to turn into this huge erotica story and I wasn't ready for that.
The villian in the story and his crew go through torturing a mermaid for their ownnpleasures and it made me almost cry but, over all it was a really great story.
An adventure of this man who is trapped as being turned into a kraken under the control of his captain. Ends up saving a mermaid from being sold for her heart.
The villian in the story and his crew go through torturing a mermaid for their ownnpleasures and it made me almost cry but, over all it was a really great story.
An adventure of this man who is trapped as being turned into a kraken under the control of his captain. Ends up saving a mermaid from being sold for her heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2019
A definitely different type of story. An imprisoned mermaid, saved by pirates. Intriguing.
December 21, 2015
really do enjoy Exley’s work (obviously…considering I just put down Ella the Slayer and picked this one up). This one wasn’t a total ‘love’ for me, but it wasn’t bad, either. I’d consider it a vanilla middle-of-the-road-needed-something-easy-to-read-while-life-shakes-me-around-like-a-ragdoll kind of read.
My biggest pet peeve with the entire book were the editing mistakes. It wasn’t just one or two—there were many, and they were noticeable and made the story confusing at times until I sat there and played the Autocorrect game where you try to figure out WTF should have been written. Misspellings, punctuation, grammatical errors, swapped names…things that should have been caught.
The characters were alright. Fenton is the creation of ore-mancers—they experimented on him as a child to make him a useful tool for sailors. And useful he is — he can conjure a kraken on command. He was bought by the pirate captain and commanded on a regular basis to destroy other crews so they could pillage their wares.
Ailin is a mermaid who is captured. See, if you eat a mermaid’s heart, you’ll learn the secrets of all men. That’s a pretty hot commodity.
Fenton meets Ailin and boom, they’re in love. And that’s literally all they can think about. Love, love, romance, kissing, love…oh wait, I can’t be with you, you’re a landwalker. You’re a mermaid. But I luuuuurve you. Oh. I need to set you free.
In short, I would have liked to know their backgrounds more. The only thing you know about Ailin is that she’s single and lives with a group of mermaids. I would have liked to know more about the mermaid’s world. And Fenton’s history, too.
In all, it was a quick, easy read. I rated it a 3/5.
My biggest pet peeve with the entire book were the editing mistakes. It wasn’t just one or two—there were many, and they were noticeable and made the story confusing at times until I sat there and played the Autocorrect game where you try to figure out WTF should have been written. Misspellings, punctuation, grammatical errors, swapped names…things that should have been caught.
The characters were alright. Fenton is the creation of ore-mancers—they experimented on him as a child to make him a useful tool for sailors. And useful he is — he can conjure a kraken on command. He was bought by the pirate captain and commanded on a regular basis to destroy other crews so they could pillage their wares.
Ailin is a mermaid who is captured. See, if you eat a mermaid’s heart, you’ll learn the secrets of all men. That’s a pretty hot commodity.
Fenton meets Ailin and boom, they’re in love. And that’s literally all they can think about. Love, love, romance, kissing, love…oh wait, I can’t be with you, you’re a landwalker. You’re a mermaid. But I luuuuurve you. Oh. I need to set you free.
In short, I would have liked to know their backgrounds more. The only thing you know about Ailin is that she’s single and lives with a group of mermaids. I would have liked to know more about the mermaid’s world. And Fenton’s history, too.
In all, it was a quick, easy read. I rated it a 3/5.
April 28, 2015
When I first saw HotK, I was incredibly excited. Steampunk, mermaids, and a gorgeous cover. I loved the idea of it, but when I started to read it, I was a little disappointed. At times, the prose was overwritten (let a good sentence do the work rather than qualifying it with another) and in other places under-written. The ore-mancers, I thought, were under explored. I understand there is a sequel coming, so I hope there is more of Nancy and Weston there. My biggest issues were in Fenton and Ailin's lack of thoughts apart from love and the grammatical and typo issues. I would have loved to have seen the MCs fleshed out more, their back stories explored in more depth, but it didn't happen. The second issue, the typos, was a bit overwhelming. I can forgive a handful of typos, which can easily be fixed, but there lack of commas, commas used incorrectly, using hyphens or en dashes instead of em dashes, and general word screw-ups (least instead of lest for example), drove me away from the story because I felt as if I was subconsciously editing it. I think the typos can easily be fixed and the book/series has promise, but I'd definitely like to see more depth to the characters in future installments.
May 15, 2016
I don't read much steampunk pirate stories only because they are really hard to find and don't always turn out that great for me, but this was a pleasant surprise to read. Reading the blurb totally convinced me this would be a treat. I absolutely fell in love with this tale and with the characters. Fenton is the kind of guy you'd want on your side in a pickle, which for Ailin who's in a huge dilemma, he's just the man she needs. She's a mermaid and on her way to be served up to a royal for her heart. People believe if you eat the heart of a mermaid, you will know all the secrets of men.
Fenton and Ailin are an amazing pair, both tethered to others in a most interesting way. Neither is free to do what they'd like to do, even love each other. The intricate storytelling, worldbuilding, and characterizations were amazing in this story. Filled with gadgets, magic, pirates and regulators, it was an action filled, intense drama that you must see play out to the very end. I can't wait to read more about the Darjee world and its inhabitants. It'll be a fantastical ride for sure.
Fenton and Ailin are an amazing pair, both tethered to others in a most interesting way. Neither is free to do what they'd like to do, even love each other. The intricate storytelling, worldbuilding, and characterizations were amazing in this story. Filled with gadgets, magic, pirates and regulators, it was an action filled, intense drama that you must see play out to the very end. I can't wait to read more about the Darjee world and its inhabitants. It'll be a fantastical ride for sure.
July 30, 2015
This book started out full of promise, painting a vision of a harsh, cruel steampunk world where those with power take from everyone and those who should be in charge of law and order are, instead, the most fickle and cruel. And then, somehow, halfway through the book it devolved into a sappy, lame love story.
Another huge problem I had with the book and a serious pet peeve of mine, the names of some of the characters are completely inappropriate for the tone and subject matter of the book. How are you naming non-human, immensely powerful magical characters, in a fantasy novel clearly not taking place in a "real" Earth world, "Lloyd"?!? And a guy with the last name Nancy who is forever thereafter just referred to as Nancy? I wish she'd stuck with the direction that the book seemed to have headed in.
Another huge problem I had with the book and a serious pet peeve of mine, the names of some of the characters are completely inappropriate for the tone and subject matter of the book. How are you naming non-human, immensely powerful magical characters, in a fantasy novel clearly not taking place in a "real" Earth world, "Lloyd"?!? And a guy with the last name Nancy who is forever thereafter just referred to as Nancy? I wish she'd stuck with the direction that the book seemed to have headed in.
November 18, 2015
Ailin, on her way to have her heart eaten as part of a lavish banquet, is saved by Fenton, who is held captive by the pirates transporting her because he can speak to and control the dreaded kraken.
When their two lives collide, Fenton has to make a decision, summon the beast to free Ailin, or free himself.
Heart of the Kraken by A. W. Exley is a chilling story of Fenton’s search for his soul, full of action and excitement, and deep emotions as well. Fantasy fiction for the connoisseur of fine story telling..
When their two lives collide, Fenton has to make a decision, summon the beast to free Ailin, or free himself.
Heart of the Kraken by A. W. Exley is a chilling story of Fenton’s search for his soul, full of action and excitement, and deep emotions as well. Fantasy fiction for the connoisseur of fine story telling..
April 6, 2019
Enjoyable enough, but I found the main plot predictable and the two viewpoint characters uninteresting. This was somewhat compensated for by interesting side characters and some good world-building. The prose is a bit clunky in places and tends to over explain things and repeat descriptive elements (for my taste). Having said that, I should probably note that I am clearly not the target audience of this book and was reading it as part of an effort to read outside my preferred authors/sub-genres.
September 3, 2015
The idea behind this story was intriguing and the writing was mostly done well. There are some editing issues; misspellings, wrong names and a few grammatical errors. Enough to detract, but not enough to stop reading. I may get a sample of one of her other works to try but I wouldn't spend another $4.00 on one of her books without assurances that it was done a bit better.
July 1, 2019
3.5 Stars
I really loved the world introduced in this series and want to see more set in Darjee.
This was a short and fast read in vibrant new fantasy world. It's primarily a romance, which I wasn't as prepared for and though it was an insta-love romance (which is rather eye rolling for me) I loved the side characters and world enough to fly through it.
I really loved the world introduced in this series and want to see more set in Darjee.
This was a short and fast read in vibrant new fantasy world. It's primarily a romance, which I wasn't as prepared for and though it was an insta-love romance (which is rather eye rolling for me) I loved the side characters and world enough to fly through it.
May 7, 2018
TLDR: A sweet, if simplistic, mermaid love story.
After I'd read the first three Artifact Hunters books, starting with Nefertiti's Heart, I was stoked to see that A.W. Exley seemed to have written a fantasy romance featuring mermaids. (The sea is kinda my thing.)
Unfortunately, after the tightly woven and relatively complicated plots of Artifact Hunters, I found Heart of the Kraken a little too simple. Captive pirate and Kraken-summoner Fenton and his equally captive fishy lady love Ailin are just too bland. The raucous pirate Captain Reis and playfully manic steampunk-y wizard Nancy are considerably more interesting to spend time with, but the novel is focused on our sea-crossed lovers instead, to the story's detriment. The only impediment to their feelings is that Fenton half-heartedly wonders if he's succumbed to a siren's song rather than really feeling love. For her part, and this is only barely a spoiler, .
There are, of course, greater impediments to their situation: Captain Reis and his crew plan to turn Ailin over to an impetuous queen who wants to eat Ailin's heart to gain magic powers, and while Fenton theoretically has an interest in sacrificing himself to save Ailin, he isn't quite able to fight through an entire ship full of pirates to get her from the ship's hold back to the sea. The whole scenario gets considerably more complex in the last third of the novel, and the resolution is a convenient Nancy ex Machina.
Honestly disappointed given Exley's other work, and because there are some interesting world elements here. Exley clearly set this up to be the first in a series and there's a pitch for the next story that has potential, but since there's been no follow-up since 2015 (and numerous other works released in the meantime), I'm inclined to guess that the Tales from Darjee have been set aside for now.
After I'd read the first three Artifact Hunters books, starting with Nefertiti's Heart, I was stoked to see that A.W. Exley seemed to have written a fantasy romance featuring mermaids. (The sea is kinda my thing.)
Unfortunately, after the tightly woven and relatively complicated plots of Artifact Hunters, I found Heart of the Kraken a little too simple. Captive pirate and Kraken-summoner Fenton and his equally captive fishy lady love Ailin are just too bland. The raucous pirate Captain Reis and playfully manic steampunk-y wizard Nancy are considerably more interesting to spend time with, but the novel is focused on our sea-crossed lovers instead, to the story's detriment. The only impediment to their feelings is that Fenton half-heartedly wonders if he's succumbed to a siren's song rather than really feeling love. For her part, and this is only barely a spoiler, .
There are, of course, greater impediments to their situation: Captain Reis and his crew plan to turn Ailin over to an impetuous queen who wants to eat Ailin's heart to gain magic powers, and while Fenton theoretically has an interest in sacrificing himself to save Ailin, he isn't quite able to fight through an entire ship full of pirates to get her from the ship's hold back to the sea. The whole scenario gets considerably more complex in the last third of the novel, and the resolution is a convenient Nancy ex Machina.
Honestly disappointed given Exley's other work, and because there are some interesting world elements here. Exley clearly set this up to be the first in a series and there's a pitch for the next story that has potential, but since there's been no follow-up since 2015 (and numerous other works released in the meantime), I'm inclined to guess that the Tales from Darjee have been set aside for now.
March 2, 2019
Heart of the Kraken is a free download available to subscribers of Ms. Exley’s newsletter. Set in the land of Darjee, the story is primarily shared from the point-of-views of Fenton and Ailin. Fenton is a reluctant crew member on a pirate ship, and when he was still in utero, magical ore-mancers manipulated Fenton’s body, connecting him with a deadly kraken. Pirate Captain Reis paid the wizards to bio-surgically place a gauntlet on his arm that controls Fenton, therefore the kraken. Fenton longs for death to escape the prison in which he is caged.
Ailin is an elusive mermaid captured by Captain Reis. Worth her weight in gold and a powerful drug called Sunshine, Reis is determined to deliver her to the queen. Only Fenton recognizes Ailin for the sentient being she is and a bond develops between the pair rather quickly.
Overall, Heart of the Kraken is an interesting and unique story. I found the world-building fascinating and enjoyed a lot of the tech/magic aspects. I liked the underlying message that love can conquer all, but I felt the romance between Fenton and Ailin wasn’t developed as much as I would have liked. It came off more “fated” than “created,” and I would have preferred more time spent with the two when they are able to freely explore and share their feelings. I do appreciate that Fenton questions the bond being part of the mermaid’s siren ways, but since we are privy to Ailin’s POV, the reader understands she also feels that bond.
The story’s epilogue implies there will be more titles in the Tales from Darjee series, however, to my knowledge none have been written. I certainly would be interested in finding out how ore-mancers Nancy and Weston plan to take down the ruler of Darjee.
My Rating: C+
Ailin is an elusive mermaid captured by Captain Reis. Worth her weight in gold and a powerful drug called Sunshine, Reis is determined to deliver her to the queen. Only Fenton recognizes Ailin for the sentient being she is and a bond develops between the pair rather quickly.
Overall, Heart of the Kraken is an interesting and unique story. I found the world-building fascinating and enjoyed a lot of the tech/magic aspects. I liked the underlying message that love can conquer all, but I felt the romance between Fenton and Ailin wasn’t developed as much as I would have liked. It came off more “fated” than “created,” and I would have preferred more time spent with the two when they are able to freely explore and share their feelings. I do appreciate that Fenton questions the bond being part of the mermaid’s siren ways, but since we are privy to Ailin’s POV, the reader understands she also feels that bond.
The story’s epilogue implies there will be more titles in the Tales from Darjee series, however, to my knowledge none have been written. I certainly would be interested in finding out how ore-mancers Nancy and Weston plan to take down the ruler of Darjee.
My Rating: C+
February 26, 2020
Overall, this is a nice entertaining read.
It has a lot of elements I like: historical setting, pirates, steampunk constructs...
But I wanted to read it because of the merfolks. Despite having a mermaid as a love interest, we're told very little about mermaid lore, and Ailin has too human ways of reasoning and no peculiar "fishy" traits.
I loved the description about her tail regaining lustre, the unfolding of her webs, after being in the Ocean, but it wasn't enough to sate me.
Also, after pricking our curiositiy about the supposedly mysterious reproductive system and coupling rite ("...they couldn't find her mating passage"), the author can't dismiss us with just a "they shared their passion".
That ending lacks closure, i was expecting to find at least an epilogue to read, after those last words.
Even more so considering that the next book seems to focus on other characters, in a different part of the Darjee world.
MCs feels young and a bit flat, all too wrapped up in the misery of their captive condition, and apparently impossible love.
On the contrary, we have a good cast of side characters.
In particular, I love a well fleshed out villain: Reid is cruel, petty, scheming, greedy; always acting for his own gain, absolutely not redeemable.
Nancy is a nice addition you wish to read more about. Little Timmy too.
As in Nefertiti's Heart, sometimes the narrative stumbles because of over explanations, repetitions, lack of punctuation, misspellings, minor inconsistencies: all things easily remedied by a good copy editor.
It has a lot of elements I like: historical setting, pirates, steampunk constructs...
But I wanted to read it because of the merfolks. Despite having a mermaid as a love interest, we're told very little about mermaid lore, and Ailin has too human ways of reasoning and no peculiar "fishy" traits.
I loved the description about her tail regaining lustre, the unfolding of her webs, after being in the Ocean, but it wasn't enough to sate me.
Also, after pricking our curiositiy about the supposedly mysterious reproductive system and coupling rite ("...they couldn't find her mating passage"), the author can't dismiss us with just a "they shared their passion".
That ending lacks closure, i was expecting to find at least an epilogue to read, after those last words.
Even more so considering that the next book seems to focus on other characters, in a different part of the Darjee world.
MCs feels young and a bit flat, all too wrapped up in the misery of their captive condition, and apparently impossible love.
On the contrary, we have a good cast of side characters.
In particular, I love a well fleshed out villain: Reid is cruel, petty, scheming, greedy; always acting for his own gain, absolutely not redeemable.
Nancy is a nice addition you wish to read more about. Little Timmy too.
As in Nefertiti's Heart, sometimes the narrative stumbles because of over explanations, repetitions, lack of punctuation, misspellings, minor inconsistencies: all things easily remedied by a good copy editor.
January 26, 2020
Part of the same steampunk bundle that brought me Clockwork Alchemist and The Books and Braun Dossier. I would classify this one as a "romance", in which the relationship was the plot. I ... am not generally a fan of that genre. This one was fine until the romance took over, at which point I got slightly annoyed/bored with it. The world seemed interesting, though.
April 20, 2020
2.5 stars
It would have been three or four but I didn't like the language or all the sexual encounters and innuendos. I did like the story itself it was an interesting plot with a bit of a twist at the end. A nice twist, but not really a shocker. Our two mains were enough to carry the story. And I really did like Nancy. I would like to check out his story and how he created the island.
Overall not bad. but not great either.
Recommended? ....eh.... there is the sexual stuff and language. so no based on that, but it still is a nice love story. kinda...maybe. so yes?
Buy/Borrow? borrow.
It would have been three or four but I didn't like the language or all the sexual encounters and innuendos. I did like the story itself it was an interesting plot with a bit of a twist at the end. A nice twist, but not really a shocker. Our two mains were enough to carry the story. And I really did like Nancy. I would like to check out his story and how he created the island.
Overall not bad. but not great either.
Recommended? ....eh.... there is the sexual stuff and language. so no based on that, but it still is a nice love story. kinda...maybe. so yes?
Buy/Borrow? borrow.
January 13, 2020
Not a book I would choose to read again
This is just not a good read. It is too much to ask readers to bond with nonhuman characters. I bought the Dr one book in the series,but will not bother with reading it. I'm had to force myself to finish this one.
This is just not a good read. It is too much to ask readers to bond with nonhuman characters. I bought the Dr one book in the series,but will not bother with reading it. I'm had to force myself to finish this one.
August 8, 2017
really entertaining, if a bit predictable. can't wait to read the next one!
August 27, 2017
A touching love story in an unusual setting, with very unusual characters.
March 23, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
May 20, 2019
read the end but skipped about 27% to the end. to long drawn out and complicated for no good reason. the World building could have been handled way better. The romance was contrived.
December 28, 2019
Dang it, lunch hour is over
And the sword fight has just started!
To be late and finish it, or be a responsible adult and get back to work?
And the sword fight has just started!
To be late and finish it, or be a responsible adult and get back to work?
January 20, 2020
Good book. I preferred the other series (The Artifact Hunters) but then again, perhaps it is too early to say that. I will see what the others in this series holds. :)
March 15, 2015
Heart of the Kraken introduces us to the dark, steampunk world of Darjee where oremancers twist metal and flesh in strange ways. Fenton was sold as child after the oremancers regarded him as a failed experiment to combine a kraken with a human. He is bound to a ship's captain who uses his ability to control the mighty ocean dwelling kraken to bring down ships. The captain and crew are harsh, brutal men who will stop at nothing in their pursuit of wealth.
Ailin is a mermaid captured by another ship's crew to sell to a wealthy ruler who plans on eating her living heart. She meets Fenton when his ship overtakes her original captors. A bond that springs to life between them deepens as they get to know each other while the ship travels across the sea to deliver her.
The more I read the more I realized this story is about love and how it can transcends form. The steampunk elements are very well done and A.W. Exley is an excellent writer which means the story flows nicely without the distraction of typos, poor editing and bad formatting. Great read for someone who likes a good steampunk tale.
Ailin is a mermaid captured by another ship's crew to sell to a wealthy ruler who plans on eating her living heart. She meets Fenton when his ship overtakes her original captors. A bond that springs to life between them deepens as they get to know each other while the ship travels across the sea to deliver her.
The more I read the more I realized this story is about love and how it can transcends form. The steampunk elements are very well done and A.W. Exley is an excellent writer which means the story flows nicely without the distraction of typos, poor editing and bad formatting. Great read for someone who likes a good steampunk tale.
March 24, 2015
Heart of the Kraken by A.W. Exley
Fenton has been trapped since birth. Ore-mancers used their skills to bestow a dark and terrible gift, before selling him to an ugly-hearted Captain that exploits Fenton's abilities for his own nefarious purposes. Fenton has no choice but to obey while he longs for freedom. Pirating the Sanguine Ocean, Captain Reis stumbles upon a prize incomparable captured in the hold of a science vessel. Reis steals the mermaid away, swearing the bounty on her heart will be his. Locked away in a metal box, Ailin feels the weight of her captivity closing in. Fenton's compassion intrigues her and inspires her to return the hesitating friendliness of the tortured man.
Mythical creatures, swashbuckling fight scenes, a hint of steampunk, and a boy name Timmy, The Heart of the Kraken was a wonderful read. Chapter one sets the stage, and then we're off - chasing gold coins and Sunshine, visiting the Isle of Illusions, even meeting a happily mad scientist.
I was awake until the wee hours of the morning bargaining with tomorrow's chores, "Just one more chapter." Full of romantic twists and turns, AW Exley does not disappoint!
Fenton has been trapped since birth. Ore-mancers used their skills to bestow a dark and terrible gift, before selling him to an ugly-hearted Captain that exploits Fenton's abilities for his own nefarious purposes. Fenton has no choice but to obey while he longs for freedom. Pirating the Sanguine Ocean, Captain Reis stumbles upon a prize incomparable captured in the hold of a science vessel. Reis steals the mermaid away, swearing the bounty on her heart will be his. Locked away in a metal box, Ailin feels the weight of her captivity closing in. Fenton's compassion intrigues her and inspires her to return the hesitating friendliness of the tortured man.
Mythical creatures, swashbuckling fight scenes, a hint of steampunk, and a boy name Timmy, The Heart of the Kraken was a wonderful read. Chapter one sets the stage, and then we're off - chasing gold coins and Sunshine, visiting the Isle of Illusions, even meeting a happily mad scientist.
I was awake until the wee hours of the morning bargaining with tomorrow's chores, "Just one more chapter." Full of romantic twists and turns, AW Exley does not disappoint!
November 15, 2015
Steampunk Fairytale Romance
I would have given this and all of Exley's books published to date 5 stars if it weren't for the frequent and jarring misuse of words. They interrupt what otherwise would be excellent writing. Two examples leap to mind. In this book flags flatter rather than flutter. And ropes are pulled taunt, instead of taunt. It would be charitable to say they are typographical errors, but there are too many of them, running throughout all six of the titles I have read to date. The way these errors of usage appear, clearly indicate a writer stretching for vocabulary just a bit far out of her reach. Bexley either needs a better editor OR a much better thesaurus. The author is good at telling a story through her characters actions and dialogue. The mingling of fairytale romance with a steampunk world of technology and magic makes for fun reading and unpredictable solutions to age old problems.
I would have given this and all of Exley's books published to date 5 stars if it weren't for the frequent and jarring misuse of words. They interrupt what otherwise would be excellent writing. Two examples leap to mind. In this book flags flatter rather than flutter. And ropes are pulled taunt, instead of taunt. It would be charitable to say they are typographical errors, but there are too many of them, running throughout all six of the titles I have read to date. The way these errors of usage appear, clearly indicate a writer stretching for vocabulary just a bit far out of her reach. Bexley either needs a better editor OR a much better thesaurus. The author is good at telling a story through her characters actions and dialogue. The mingling of fairytale romance with a steampunk world of technology and magic makes for fun reading and unpredictable solutions to age old problems.
September 16, 2016
Too predictable and completely boring...
This received 2 stars instead of 1, simply because I DID finish it...barely. The entire story is based on a mermaid (who has been captured for science/sacrifice) and a mistreated mutant were-squid/octopus boy (who is supposed to be the Kraken. There is no chemistry, attraction (besides the fact she's a hot, nude fish/girl) or real love story of any kind! It was basically exactly what it sounds like .......The "about blurb" tells the ENTIRE story, no twists, unexpected plot turns, or even an unexpected character! Overall, it was completely blah, and boring....and I kept waiting for something (anything!) to happen and it never did.
This received 2 stars instead of 1, simply because I DID finish it...barely. The entire story is based on a mermaid (who has been captured for science/sacrifice) and a mistreated mutant were-squid/octopus boy (who is supposed to be the Kraken. There is no chemistry, attraction (besides the fact she's a hot, nude fish/girl) or real love story of any kind! It was basically exactly what it sounds like .......The "about blurb" tells the ENTIRE story, no twists, unexpected plot turns, or even an unexpected character! Overall, it was completely blah, and boring....and I kept waiting for something (anything!) to happen and it never did.
March 17, 2015
Mermaids and Krakens
Fenton has a problem. He is ok on the sea but seasick on land. Even worse, he was sold to a Pirate Captain and bound through a oramancer tie. His life is not good. Things continue like this until the Pirates get their hands on a mermaid. And we have a developing romance which is going to end badly for the Mermaid as she is destined for the main course at the ruler's dinner. What to do?
This is another great addition to Exley's Steampunk books. So far each one is top notch. I will look forward to the next book Darjeeling book 2, the premise already intrigues me.
Fenton has a problem. He is ok on the sea but seasick on land. Even worse, he was sold to a Pirate Captain and bound through a oramancer tie. His life is not good. Things continue like this until the Pirates get their hands on a mermaid. And we have a developing romance which is going to end badly for the Mermaid as she is destined for the main course at the ruler's dinner. What to do?
This is another great addition to Exley's Steampunk books. So far each one is top notch. I will look forward to the next book Darjeeling book 2, the premise already intrigues me.
February 10, 2017
Oh what a magical world awaited me as I started this book. 3 hours later I was finished and totally enraptured that this book continued in the great tradition of this author. Many thanks.
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