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Entombed in Glass

(Unfortunate Soul Chronicles #2)

Stacey Rourke (Goodreads Author)

4.33 · Rating details · 148 ratings · 57 reviews

Mirror, mirror on the wall.
What’s behind that fated call?
He’s the seer of present, future, and past,
Yet remains a nameless face entombed in glass.

Raised as a servant in the underwater kingdom of Atlantica, Alastor worked his way up to a regal member of the Royal Guard. Only as a decorated soldier did he stand a chance of winning the hand of the woman he’s loved since ...more

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Kindle Edition, 178 pages

Published March 29th 2018 by Anchor Group Publishing

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2018 Retelling Releases

49 books — 44 voters

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· 148 ratings · 57 reviews

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Apr 06, 2018 Alice (Married To Books) rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2018

I am participating in the promotional blog tour for this book! Because of being one of the tour hosts, I received a free digital copy for review as well as the first book in the series Rise of the Sea Witch from Xpresso Blog Tours and the author Stacey! Big thank you to them both :)

Entombed in Glass follows on from the events of Rise of the Sea Witch but following a different character called Alastor. He used to have a deep crush towards Vanessa/Ursula but now is trapped in the world where human ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Chelsies Reading Escape rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2018-releases, review-books

Rise of the Sea Witch was one of my favorite books of last year. Probably my favorite mermaid book to date but this sequel was nothing like the Ursela origin story we got in the first book. I was really looking forward to the sequel, but sadly we don't get to follow the same main character and none of it takes place underwater. I really wanted to know what was happening with Princess Vanessa/Ursela and I probably would have enjoyed this more had we gotten some of her perspective. Despite it not Rise of the Sea Witch was one of my favorite books of last year. Probably my favorite mermaid book to date but this sequel was nothing like the Ursela origin story we got in the first book. I was really looking forward to the sequel, but sadly we don't get to follow the same main character and none of it takes place underwater. I really wanted to know what was happening with Princess Vanessa/Ursela and I probably would have enjoyed this more had we gotten some of her perspective. Despite it not being what I was expecting the authors writing was still easy to get immersed in.

In Entombed in Glass we follow Alastor who was a royal guard in the first book as well as Princess Vanessas love interest and her brother Prince Tritons best friend. At the ending of the first book they got seperated and now he's on a quest to find his way back to her. Alastor is a soldier with an honorable heart and that drive to help others might keep him away from the love of his life even longer. Forced to swear fealty to Vanessas banished Uncle Hades or die, Alastor has no choice but to complete Hades quest and hope he holds his end of the bargain to reunite them.

On his journey Alastor meets Sterling, a character who seems to be inspired by the Mad Hatter. I loved their friendship and the humour between them. Sterlings antics had me laughing often. We also meet Phin, a sweet and insightful Peter Pan like character. I liked the way the author mashed up different fairytales, but Peter Pan and Alice are probably some of my least favorite fairytales. I still loved getting the origin story for Hook and the croc as well as the magical mirror from Snow White. I thought it was clever how the author played with the identity of the monster.

Some things were a bit too convenient, like Alastor knowing more about the world than he should for someone who spent their entire life under water. I wasnt as invested in some parts of the story, but I still think the book could have been longer. The overall concept wasnt as interesting to me as the first book, but I still enjoyed the plot and the characters. I think its worth a read, especially if you enjoy Alice and Peter Pan retellings. It was interesting to see how the Greek gods played a role in this fairytale world. Im personally hoping to see more of Princess Vanessa in the next book though.

*received for review consideration* ...more

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Mar 31, 2018 Kelli rated it really liked it

Book two of the Unfortunate Souls Chronicles picks up where book one, Rise of the Sea Witch left off. "The stench of charred flesh gagged me. A cloud of smoke and rubble burned my eyes and scorched down my throat." is how this tale begins. I must say that I truely enjoyed the first story in the series. It sucked me in and I read it in less than a day. This one did the same. Unlike book one, which is from Vanessa's point of view, this time, we follow Alistor.

Alistor awakens and attempts to call o ...more

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Mar 30, 2018 Jennifer Treviño rated it it was amazing

Rourke weaves her magic once again transporting us through time & space on a journey we won’t soon forget.
After book 1’s ending I could hardly stand the wait, but as always it was well worth it. Entombed in Glass picks up where Rise of the Sea Witch left us although this merman’s journey is far from what he’d envisioned. The gods varying agendas bring a kaleidoscope of horrors, worries, visions, & hopes to Alastor’s path but also adventure as well as friend & foe. Rourke’s twisted spin on this c ...more

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Apr 05, 2018 Katherine Paschal rated it really liked it

Shelves: royal-court, supernatural, retelling, another-world, read-to-review, fairytale

**Review on Smada's Book Smack

"Wander too far, and you can lose who you are.”

I am just so in love with the fact Stacey creates her own type of fairy-tale retelling, an idea of the original fairy-tale, and then adding myths and legends, ending up with this entirely unique (super dark!) version I could never have imagined. Entombed is the second in the series, where the chain of events led to this leg of the journey but it was almost as if it was completely separate (minus the ref ...more

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Feb 24, 2018 Autumn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, 2018

I received an ARC to give an honest review.
What can this author not do?

Man, she blew it out of the water with this one (pun intended). In Entombed in Glass, we are introduced to Alastor who is now on land. Though he longs to be back with his beloved below the sea, what will he have to do to get back to her? It won't be easy and it seems that Alastor will have what some will call a curse and others call a gift. He will be able to see in the past, present, and future but at a price. He is the man ...more

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Mar 28, 2018 Movies, Shows, rated it it was amazing

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

What the heck, Stacey!?! Every time I read your books, especially the ones that take a twist on fairy tales, I am just mind blown with all the intricacies and twisty storylines. This is yet another story that gets readers involved and engrossed with her characters.

Entombed in Glass is the second title in the Unfortunate Soul Chronicles which takes readers on epic adventure filled with dark twists and turns. The characters are complicated, yet familiar. Yes, ...more

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Mar 29, 2018 Jenny Bynum Black Words-White Pages rated it it was amazing

Read my full review at http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blog...

"Mirror, mirror on the wall. I order you, now, to answer my call."

What another amazing trip into the mind of Stacey Rourke. I loved this book as much as the rest of this author's work. She reels us in with her words that floats off the pages of each of her stories and I have been captured into this incredible world with a piece of myself left within the pages just as the characters in the story.

The characters were phenomenal. I absol ...more

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Mar 25, 2018 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: fav-faerie-tales, fantasy, mythical, reviewed

Fairy tale retelling with a swashbuckling twist!

I loved Rise of the Sea Witch for its sass and obvious love of classic Disney. While there were hints of a much larger, inter-connected world in the first book, we didn't venture much further beyond under the sea. So I was excited to read Entombed in Glass and discover where Alastor's story would take us.

Alastor, the Sea Witch's childhood best friend and true love, is separated from her at the end of Rise. Rather than recount his perspective of e ...more

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Oct 20, 2018 Kayla rated it really liked it

Shelves: empty-my-tbr

A great companion novel!

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Mar 08, 2018 Lois Beeney rated it it was amazing

This book was awesome! It was an epic adventure, and gave me a new take on some old tales. That being said, it's also about honor and love and the lengths the hero would go to for both. I can't wait to see what's next. ...more

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Feb 22, 2018 Lynn 2 Girls & A Book rated it really liked it

Entombed in Glass is the second installment in the Unfortunate Souls Chronicles and follows Alastor, whom you met in Rise of the Sea Witch. It entwines parts of such classics as Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan with a bit of mythology thrown in for good measure. What can I say? Rourke is a master of binding all these elements together with her witchy prowless. This tale is beautifully written but unlike its predecessor, Entombed in Glass is a far more morbid and twisted tale. The m ...more

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Feb 01, 2018 Megan rated it it was amazing

Oh my maddening joy! Such a fabulously fun and twisting book. Miss Rourke's mind a beautifully weird place that gives us such crazy, awesome reads! ...more

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Feb 12, 2018 Cheree Castellanos Edits rated it it was amazing

WOAH! What just happened here? That... was... EPIC! The way this book comes together and mixes so flawlessly with so many other stories, I swear this was the way they were originally meant to be written! Alastar, oh Alastar, you sweet, beautiful merman! Heart of gold and face of an angel. But we ain't seen nothin yet! Dive into an adventure that will leave you shocked and wanting, no, needing more! You will never believe what each new page holds and reveals! Stacey Rourke has done it again! ...more

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Mar 29, 2018 Nancy (The Avid Reader) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fairy-tales, read-2018, xpresso-book-tours, fantasy, stacey-rourke, read-march-2018

At the end of the battle between the Mer and the humans, Alastor finds himself at death’s door. What a coincident it is that he just so happens to run into Hades while he is using the last of his strength to make his way back to the water, his people and his beloved princess Vanessa.

Hades makes Alastor a deal he can’t refuse. The deal is that if Alastor will agree to become his slave and servant he will give him his life back. What is a dude to do when he only has two choices, live or die? What At the end of the battle between the Mer and the humans, Alastor finds himself at death’s door. What a coincident it is that he just so happens to run into Hades while he is using the last of his strength to make his way back to the water, his people and his beloved princess Vanessa.

Hades makes Alastor a deal he can’t refuse. The deal is that if Alastor will agree to become his slave and servant he will give him his life back. What is a dude to do when he only has two choices, live or die? What will Alastor choose? Will he choose to live or die? Well, he chooses to live of course hoping that one day he can make his way back to his beloved princess.

After Alastor makes his deal with Hades is finds himself on land far away from his home in the sea and his beloved. As he sets out on his journey he meets a new friend Sterling who is there to help him along the way and show him the ropes so to speak in this new world.

Alastor and Sterling soon find themselves at a castle waiting with others outside the gates looking for work inside the castle. While reading Entombed in Glass I could see Alastor and Sterling sitting outside the walls with all the people like a movie playing in my head. Some people were probably sitting around campfires telling stories or preparing a meal or maybe eating while other may have been standing around conversing about the weather or having discussion about their families and their own journeys of how they ended up at the castle and arguments starting to happen and maybe getting out of control and Alastor being the person he is he steps up to bat for the people that they may not be strong enough to do so themselves.

At the end of the day and king has seen all the people he can for the day and the interviews will continue on the next day. I can just see the people bring out their blankets and settling in for the night outside the walls but then one of the kings men steps forward and offers Alastor and Sterling a place to sleep inside the walls for the night.

The king sends Alastor and Sterling on a magical journey looking for something he desires where they meet some very interesting characters. I really loved the references to other fairy-tale characters like Alice and Peter Pan among others. The world that the author created for Entombed in Glass was very magical and well described I no problem seeing it in my head like watching a movie. The twist and turns just kept coming at me in leaps and bounds. I can’t wait for the next book in the Unfortunate Soul Chronicles to see which fairy-tale character is portrayed next with all the mentions in Entombed in Glass or will it be a totally different fairy-tale character?

I would like to recommend Entombed in Glass to anyone who loves fairy-tale retellings with a little of the gods and goddess mixed into the mix. ...more

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Mar 29, 2018 Erin rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, fairy-tale-retelling, read-in-2018

Before I started reading the book, I expected it to be more of a continuation of what happened to those underwater – the first book being solely underwater, and all. However, from the very beginning, it starts on land, where the last book left off, and we never make it back to the water. I was not disappointed by this at all. It was a very interesting story to find out what would now happen to Alastor on land and with legs. He is immediately forced to make difficult choices, and every choice he ...more

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Mar 18, 2018 Toi Thomas rated it really liked it

Shelves: funny, action-adventure, rated, reviewed, fantasy, paranormal, fairytale-legend, mythology

I'm really enjoying the Unfortunate Souls Chronicles series. I thought Rise of the Sea Witch was wonderful. This second installment of the series, Entombed in Glass, is also pretty good. Where the first book in the series focused on one central story, the second book in the series veers off of a bit. I think because there's so much going on in this second book, it was hard for me to fall in love with it, as much as I did the first book. I would say that this book is a 3.5 to 4-star rating overal I'm really enjoying the Unfortunate Souls Chronicles series. I thought Rise of the Sea Witch was wonderful. This second installment of the series, Entombed in Glass, is also pretty good. Where the first book in the series focused on one central story, the second book in the series veers off of a bit. I think because there's so much going on in this second book, it was hard for me to fall in love with it, as much as I did the first book. I would say that this book is a 3.5 to 4-star rating overall, where is the first one was a 4.5.

So, I was very excited and surprised to see that there was a definite connection between the first and second book in the series. At first, I was afraid that the Unfortunate Souls Chronicles would all be standalone stories, but I like that they are connected. As Vanessa's tale ends in book one before Ursula rises, her true love Alastor's tale begins in book 2. If only the book focused just on his story, it might have gone over better for me. But, don't get me wrong, it's not a bad story. I really did enjoy it.

In book 2, we get to follow Alastor on a journey to return home, but he's not alone. First, he's forced into the service of Hades, god of the underworld. Next, he gets a traveling companion in Sterling, who has a story all of his own. This is where things get a bit complicated. We have an Atlantean living on land, trying to make his hero's journey, while also being accompanied by a character who clearly seems to be from Wonderland. As if that wasn't confusing enough, at some point we make it all the way to Neverland. I won't say too much more than that for fear of giving away spoilers.

Clearly, there's a lot going on in this story. How it is that Alastor goes from the sea to ending up stuck within the mirror is a very interesting and involved story. In true Rourke fashion, there is a lot of humor, but there's also a lot of terror and fright. It's a complicated story and just barely gets by without being convoluted- a true mark of Rourke’s mastery.

This whole installment seems to boil down the idea that Alastor is a good man of his word who is constantly stuck trying to do the right thing, and unfortunately, ends up sacrificing himself to help others. It’s clear that his story doesn’t end here. There has to be another book for all his journeys and hard work to pay off and make sense.

Recommended to true fans of YA fairy tale retellings and mash-ups.

I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review, which in no way influenced my review or rating. ...more

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Mar 22, 2018 Julia Red Hatter Book Blog rated it it was amazing

Entombed in Glass transported me into a fantastical world filled with secrets and heart break yet also a bit of hope. We start off pretty much where we ended in Vanessa's book. Alastor wakes on the beach confused as to why he's alive, he sees Vanessa yet can't reach her. After Hades promises to reunite them after he completes a few tasks we are sent into a world filled with mystery, secrets, magic, and sacrifices. All so Alastor can be with Vanessa again.

Alastor has surpassed everything I thoug ...more

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Mar 10, 2020 Belle's Book Labyrinth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: disney, fantasy, retellings, fairytales

Freakin' Stacey! Again I have fallen under her spell as her writing captivated me, going through different emotions as we follow the merman soldier, Alastor, Vanessa's love interest from "Rise of the Sea Witch". If you have not read Rise, I recommend to read it first as it is part of the trilogy. I was happy, confused, hopeful and then that ending!! I. AM. HEARTBROKEN!

Book 2, while not directly connected to Book 1 but more of a continuation with other characters, starts us off where Rise left u ...more

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Apr 07, 2018 TJ rated it it was amazing

GOOD LORD THIS BOOK!! SO GOOD!!

I just wrote down and deleted a paragraph full of spoilers that I just typed because this book has me so excited! (Can you tell I'm excited by the number of exclamation points I've already used? )

I absolutely love everything related to Alice in Wonderland and all the madness that comes with it. This book had all the madness that I love and so much more. I couldn't have guessed the twists and the back stories that was weaved into this brilliant book.

I honestly don't ...more

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Apr 02, 2018 Paranormal Tendencies rated it it was amazing

Book 2 of the Poor unfortunate souls series
Poor Alastor. The book begins right where the first one ended; on the beach, amidst the remains of the mermen that didn’t stand a chance on land. Alastor sees Vanessa, his love, return to the sea. This is where his journey begins and we leave the kingdom of Atlantica.
Alastor’s new journey takes him to a kingdom with a dying queen and a king desperate to save her. He tasks Alastor with a quest to find a magical mirror that can show him how to save his q ...more

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Mar 31, 2018 Crystal rated it really liked it

This is the continuation of Rise of the Sea Witch and I recommend reading that story first. Alastor has survived, is now on land and has been told by Hades himself that he will reunite Alastor and Vanessa only after Alastor completes a few things for him. This sends Alastor on a journey to different lands and comes across characters from different fairy tales, including Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan to name a few.
Usually I rush to one click Stacey Rourke and wait with baited br ...more

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Apr 04, 2018 Candyce Kirk rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

After reading Rise of the Sea Witch, I couldn't wait to start this book. While I really enjoyed Entombed in Glass, I was sad we didn't get any glimpse of what happened after Vanessa's transformation. Near the end we get some idea of one thing she's done since then, but not a lot. I love Alastor though and was happy that he got a story. Again Stacey Rourke did a great job with retellings, I saw glimpses of Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and of course we read about Hades and Persephone. E ...more

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Apr 02, 2018 C. Erani Kole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: out-of-this-world, it-s-totally-killer, fairy-tale-retellings

It's a 4.5 for me leaning towards the final set of stars I went with! Why? Because I love retellings and I tend to be super critical when it comes to these. With Rourke, I don't have to worry. The first book with Vanessa aka The Little Mermaid's Ursula was just a little cheesy (very, very little, honest) but then it got all serious and made me cry so when I got to read Alastor's story, who's also the love of her life that she lost in the battle against the humans, I was so freaking on board with ...more

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Sep 23, 2019 Marissa rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy

Entombed in Glass is the second installment in the Unfortunate Soul Chronicles series. It follows from the events of the first book and focuses on what happens with Alastor after the epic battle of the first book. He is a merman with legs seeking a way back to the sea and the one he loves. Enter Hades with an agenda that ultimately leads to Alastor finding himself in a far away land in a seemingly impossible mission. Along the way, he runs into characters with qualities reminiscent of the Mad Ha ...more

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Mar 07, 2018 Samantha rated it really liked it

I was thrilled to be able to read the second book in the Unfortunate Soul Chronicles. I absolutely loved book one, and I couldn't wait to see what Rourke would come up with in this next installment.
I was completely captivated by this story and could barely read fast enough to satisfy my need to know what would happen next. The tasks set before Alastor were challenging to say the least, as his partnership with Sterling was proving to be a bit of a chore as well. The quest they had set upon was f ...more

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Mar 08, 2018 Charlene rated it it was amazing

From the first sentence, "The stench of charred flesh gagged me," I was hooked on award winning author Stacey Rourke's rollicking great tale of a hero and his hilariously quirky partner, Sterling, searching for a magical mirror needed to save a dying queen. No one knows how to write great dialog like Stacey Rourke, and in "Entombed in Glass" you get the best! My favorite character, Sterling, made the adventure of this novel even more fun! The twists and turns the lead characters go through, alon ...more

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Apr 12, 2018 Nick Sweet rated it did not like it

As much as I wanted to get into this as much as I had the first book, I wasn't as drawn in as I was with "Rise of the Sea Witch". While the first book was a well crafted backstory for Ursula the Sea Witch, with compelling characters and a well conceived plot, this book to me felt like a poorly conceived Disney fan fiction. There were several times while reading this that I got really confused with the story, with appearances from several different Disney properties, such as "Hercules", "Snow Whi ...more

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Feb 21, 2018 Amanda rated it it was amazing

In this book you get see Stacey’s take on the man in the mirror. You learn how he gets there. Also you get to meet some other characters from other fairy tales.

I find the main character just fascinating. How he comes in to himself and in turn saves two of his fellow travelers and more.

The book ends with you wanting more and I have to say I can’t wait to see how they all entangle with each other.

Stacey does a good job of developing the characters and making easy to visualize them and their surr ...more

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Apr 02, 2018 Megan | A Page to Turn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, retelling

After events that happen in book one, Alastor is on dry land... and I loved this book just as much as Rise of the Sea Witch! It pretty much picks up where the first one left off... but with a lot more interesting plot twists coming your way! Like on the cover - we see that Alastor becomes kind of the man in the mirror which allows him certain gifts.. that could also be seen as a curse. I loved this story so much - it brings out the retelling and Disney fan in me! There is so much more adventure ...more

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