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The Wolf and the Sparrow
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Derek never wished to inherit his title as a result of a bloody battle. With the old count dead and the truce dependent on his marriage to the rival duke’s son, Derek has no choice but to agree to the victor’s terms in order to bring peace to his homeland. When he learns of the sinister rumors surrounding his intended groom, Derek begins to have doubts—but there can be no
...more
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If you liked 'Captive Prince' by C S Pacat, but wanted more politics, fantasy and romance, and less problematic and slightly questionable themes and scenes- this book is for you!
It features an enemies to lovers male/male romance, but it is super wholesome and cute.
"sometimes we leave because we care too much to stay"
Derek and Callen, our two main characters are forced into an arranged marriage to try and mend the bad blood between their families. In this world, relationships are not exclusively ...more
It features an enemies to lovers male/male romance, but it is super wholesome and cute.
"sometimes we leave because we care too much to stay"
Derek and Callen, our two main characters are forced into an arranged marriage to try and mend the bad blood between their families. In this world, relationships are not exclusively ...more
3.5 gay Stars ★★★✬✩
⤐ Overall.
Let's face it, gay romance is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Yes, the plot could have been a lot more thrilling, and yes, this wasn't the most original story. I was bored sometimes even. But I won't let anybody take away the joy I felt while reading this. Soft bois are da best ...more
This book is for you if… you value representative reads. The gay love is all over the place but it still seems to be a very white book. TW: violence, physical injuries, mention of domestic abuse.
⤐ Overall.
Let's face it, gay romance is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Yes, the plot could have been a lot more thrilling, and yes, this wasn't the most original story. I was bored sometimes even. But I won't let anybody take away the joy I felt while reading this. Soft bois are da best ...more
I really enjoyed reading The Wolf and the Sparrow, a lovely historical novel set in the fictional kingdom of Ivicia and populated by a cast of interesting and engaging characters.
Callan and Derek, heirs to two belligerent fiefdoms, find unexpected support and affection in each other after being forced into a political marriage.
The plotline is rich in intrigue and changes of scenery and the worldbuilding, mixing Northern lore and magic, provides the story with a nice sense of timelessness.
I rea ...more
Callan and Derek, heirs to two belligerent fiefdoms, find unexpected support and affection in each other after being forced into a political marriage.
The plotline is rich in intrigue and changes of scenery and the worldbuilding, mixing Northern lore and magic, provides the story with a nice sense of timelessness.
I rea ...more
The writing style is really enjoyable. It fits the medieval era perfectly. I enjoyed the story at first. The main characters' dislike for each other slowly turned into adoration and respect. It did feel like slow-burn, even though the whole story spanned over 2-3 weeks by my estimation. And I loved all of that.
But later I find a few things annoying. Mostly minor, but I find one thing really annoying in books: when there is death (secondary character), and it's shoved under the rug. I hate when ...more
But later I find a few things annoying. Mostly minor, but I find one thing really annoying in books: when there is death (secondary character), and it's shoved under the rug. I hate when ...more
I was so excited to receive an ARC of Isabelle Adler’s new book, The Wolf and The Sparrow. The plot of an "arranged marriage" is relatively new to me and kind of falls in line with the “fake boyfriend” trope that I’ve been reading a lot of lately so I couldn't wait to get started on this book.
There is a rather sweet romance and there is no denying the pull these guys have with each other. As Derek and Callan learn the depth of their connection and explore their growing affection for each other, ...more
There is a rather sweet romance and there is no denying the pull these guys have with each other. As Derek and Callan learn the depth of their connection and explore their growing affection for each other, ...more
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Category: Romance
Genre: Fantasy
Word Count: 72000
Book Length: Novel
Sex Content: Explicit, medium heat
Pairing: MM
Orientation: Gay, Pansexual
Identity: Cisgender
Warning: Depictions of violence, battle scenes, physical injuries, mentions of torture, allusions to domestic abuse, dealing with grief, death of secondary characters, death of a parent.
Available for purchase:
NSP: https://ninestarpress.com/product/the...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081FWY859
Smashwords: https:/ ...more
Category: Romance
Genre: Fantasy
Word Count: 72000
Book Length: Novel
Sex Content: Explicit, medium heat
Pairing: MM
Orientation: Gay, Pansexual
Identity: Cisgender
Warning: Depictions of violence, battle scenes, physical injuries, mentions of torture, allusions to domestic abuse, dealing with grief, death of secondary characters, death of a parent.
Available for purchase:
NSP: https://ninestarpress.com/product/the...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081FWY859
Smashwords: https:/ ...more
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The Wolf and the Sparrow is an engaging fantasy story, with some enemies to lovers elements and a bit of a road trip vibe. We join the story in the aftermath of the war between Camria and Mulberny, and Adler does a nice job setting the stage for the politics and the social climate. We are given enough background that I had no problem jumping in where the story begins and we get right into the action with the wedding and Derek and Callan’s journey to the coastal vill ...more
4 stars
The Wolf and the Sparrow is an engaging fantasy story, with some enemies to lovers elements and a bit of a road trip vibe. We join the story in the aftermath of the war between Camria and Mulberny, and Adler does a nice job setting the stage for the politics and the social climate. We are given enough background that I had no problem jumping in where the story begins and we get right into the action with the wedding and Derek and Callan’s journey to the coastal vill ...more
I enjoyed The Wolf and the Sparrow, it was an easy read with all my faves - fantasy, magic, politics, and an enemies to lovers trope. I liked the male MCs (although I really couldn't buy in to a fantasy prince called Derek!) but felt that they moved from enemies in war to HEA waaay too quickly. The pacing didn't totally work for me, and there was a lot more world building and developing of characters, plot lines etc. that still needed to be done IMO (maybe the book was too short?) But overall a
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Whenever I see a new book by Isabelle Adler, I snap it up quickly. One of the things I enjoy the most is the way her characters get right into my heart. They are wonderfully developed, flawed, and very human.
The Wolf and the Sparrow is a great story... never underestimate how important that is! There are a lot of stories in the world, but not all of them are great! Derek has just lost his father in battle and discovers that he's to be married to the victor's son. It's a completely political marr ...more
The Wolf and the Sparrow is a great story... never underestimate how important that is! There are a lot of stories in the world, but not all of them are great! Derek has just lost his father in battle and discovers that he's to be married to the victor's son. It's a completely political marr ...more
3.5 Stars
An enjoyable, but flawed read. I became quite smitten with Callan and Derek despite, what I feel was, a rushed relationship. They had me *squeeing* several times throughout the story.
Derek wanted nothing more than to kiss him again. “You’re staring,” Callan said. He didn’t turn to him, but the corners of his mouth tugged into a smile. “You can’t fault me for admiring the most beautiful thing on this blasted island.”
“You have the worst taste.” “This coming from you,” Derek said deri ...more
An enjoyable, but flawed read. I became quite smitten with Callan and Derek despite, what I feel was, a rushed relationship. They had me *squeeing* several times throughout the story.
Derek wanted nothing more than to kiss him again. “You’re staring,” Callan said. He didn’t turn to him, but the corners of his mouth tugged into a smile. “You can’t fault me for admiring the most beautiful thing on this blasted island.”
“You have the worst taste.” “This coming from you,” Derek said deri ...more
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This book was in every way a Twinkie: light, fluffy, overly sweet, unfulfilling, and very artificial. None of the characters or world building were developed, the leads were overidealized and emasculated, the romance was an over dominant insta-luv cliche, and nothing interesting happened. The writing itself was bland to the point of being particular insubstantial and there were far too many overused phrases (e.g., 'wr ...more
While the plot was loose at few points, the initial premise from the blurb kept my attention. Two men forced together by circumstances, find they have more in common then expected.
There is solid background on both Callan and Derek, and the past which at one point made them enemy of each other serves to bind them together. They are both loyal to their people and strive to protect others. Callan is more jaded and wont to face problems heads on, while Derek is used to finding alternate way out of t ...more
There is solid background on both Callan and Derek, and the past which at one point made them enemy of each other serves to bind them together. They are both loyal to their people and strive to protect others. Callan is more jaded and wont to face problems heads on, while Derek is used to finding alternate way out of t ...more
The Wolf and the Sparrow by Isabelle Adler is a beautiful fantasy book. It features LGBTQ+ main characters, which always makes my heart happy: Callan (pansexual) and Derek (gay) as well as a side character Rema (non-binary). But it goes beyond that, in this world being LGBTQ+ is not considered wrong or strange. Callan and Derek do not face phobia or discrimination based on sexual orientation. In fact, this is an arranged marriage story, and no one bats an eye at an arrangement between two men. T
...more
*ARC provided by the author through IndiGo Marketing&Design,in exchange for an honest review
Arranged marriages between enemy families are the norm in the world Derek and Callan live in,and of course neither of them is too happy when they're forced into one.
They thought it was as simple as spending some time together, get married and then each on their own,separate ways. They never planned to fight pirates together,to be kidnapped and taken to the island of their sworn enemies...definitely not ...more
Arranged marriages between enemy families are the norm in the world Derek and Callan live in,and of course neither of them is too happy when they're forced into one.
They thought it was as simple as spending some time together, get married and then each on their own,separate ways. They never planned to fight pirates together,to be kidnapped and taken to the island of their sworn enemies...definitely not ...more
Binge read this beauty in one freaking day. Couldn't put it down.
The set-up is perfect. The arranged marriage of two young male royals with bad blood between their families. A recipe for disaster, right?? Right???
Not quite!! Action and intrigue. Fighting and falling in love. Sexy-sex. Amazingly deep, sweet, well-developed romantic leads. Loved watching their love develop and grow.
Gah, I never wanted this book to end!!! ...more
The set-up is perfect. The arranged marriage of two young male royals with bad blood between their families. A recipe for disaster, right?? Right???
Not quite!! Action and intrigue. Fighting and falling in love. Sexy-sex. Amazingly deep, sweet, well-developed romantic leads. Loved watching their love develop and grow.
Gah, I never wanted this book to end!!! ...more
Mediocre plot with unsurprising events, shallow characters and a rushed romance. The main characters develop deep feelings for each other way too fast.
I absolutely adore Derek and Callan! While I’d love to see more of them, I’m content with where their story ended.
Full RTC - 5 out of 5 stars
Big happy sigh. This book got me out of my book slump.
- satisfying ending (with a hint of continuation perhaps?)
- great characters (main as well as side characters)
- unexpected twists
- a bit magic / supernatural elements
- great worldbuilding & coherent narration / description of the surroundings / "world" they live in
- amazing romance storyline ...more
Big happy sigh. This book got me out of my book slump.
- satisfying ending (with a hint of continuation perhaps?)
- great characters (main as well as side characters)
- unexpected twists
- a bit magic / supernatural elements
- great worldbuilding & coherent narration / description of the surroundings / "world" they live in
- amazing romance storyline ...more
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot lie when I say I am a big fan of Adler's writing, and when I have an opportunity I tend to make the time to enjoy her writing. When an ARC was offered, I snatched up the opportunity, and immediately dove in.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this newest work from Adler. It was fun to follow Callan and Derek as they navigated their worlds, their surroundings, and the challenges thrown at them. And the glimpse of the world in which ...more
I cannot lie when I say I am a big fan of Adler's writing, and when I have an opportunity I tend to make the time to enjoy her writing. When an ARC was offered, I snatched up the opportunity, and immediately dove in.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this newest work from Adler. It was fun to follow Callan and Derek as they navigated their worlds, their surroundings, and the challenges thrown at them. And the glimpse of the world in which ...more
I was generously provided an early ARC of The Wolf and the Sparrow via NetGalley by NineStar Press. I will start off by saying that this has not influenced my opinion of the book whatsoever.
The Wolf and the Sparrow is in essence a light, sweet read, and I must admit - I was drawn in almost immediately by the cover - just look at it, it's beautiful! The title and the description just the same. It is an entertaining read which is admittedly playing on the cliché of arranged marriage and friends t ...more
The Wolf and the Sparrow is in essence a light, sweet read, and I must admit - I was drawn in almost immediately by the cover - just look at it, it's beautiful! The title and the description just the same. It is an entertaining read which is admittedly playing on the cliché of arranged marriage and friends t ...more
random pick up because i was in the mood for some m/m and fantasy. not bad considering i literally had no expectations for this. its on the shorter side, so the romantic relationship feels a little insta-lovey to me, but i didnt really mind it. i wish this was a series because the story and world building really has the potential for expansion.
↠ 3 stars
↠ 3 stars
This book was an entertaining read. I really liked this world's norm of M/M heirs being arranged in marriage, just the same as M/F.
I felt that the enemies to lovers relationship of the 2 main characters took up the bulk of the story, and it was sweet, albeit a little too fast, going from mutual disdain to heart-wrenching love in a couple of weeks.
In fact, the whole story felt kind of rushed, and the characters were just moving on from one death-defying situation to another; I felt a little tired ...more
I felt that the enemies to lovers relationship of the 2 main characters took up the bulk of the story, and it was sweet, albeit a little too fast, going from mutual disdain to heart-wrenching love in a couple of weeks.
In fact, the whole story felt kind of rushed, and the characters were just moving on from one death-defying situation to another; I felt a little tired ...more
This book is one of my faves, forever. I decided to reread it this year because I just loved it so much the first time around last year. The story is kind of fantastic, the enemies-to-lovers romance is incredible, the politics are intriguing, and though the pacing is a little off (a lot happens in a very short amount of time), I loved every second of this book.
Derek and Callan are forced into a marriage alliance after Derek's father died in an unnecessary conflict he started. Callan lost the lov ...more
Derek and Callan are forced into a marriage alliance after Derek's father died in an unnecessary conflict he started. Callan lost the lov ...more
This is a very forgettable book. The plot is an arranged marriage between two nobles, one of whom just lost a single battle to the other one, and then there is another war looming with sea tribes/pirates. I read it in one sitting, so it was enjoyable enough to keep me interested, but the plot was standard and the world and its magic the same. I enjoyed the main characters, but all side characters were deeply undeveloped. All in all, I requested it for an ARC for the title and description, but no
...more
I got 67% into this book before deciding to drop it. I don't really have any thoughts on The Wolf and the Sparrow except that I found the fantasy setting rather forgettable and the characters bland, plus there wasn't enough depth for my liking.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
This is a high fantasy LGBTQIA book that has a central M/M romance. I received the ARC from NetGalley and NineStar Press in exchange for my honest review — and, here it is — I really loved this book.
I have been expanding my reading into the LGBTQIA genre and I have had a lot of mixed takes on some of the titles I’ve read. When it comes to the romance genre in general, I can get easily disappointed with the lack of plot, character, or other develops in the favor of more “romance-facing” story-tel ...more
I have been expanding my reading into the LGBTQIA genre and I have had a lot of mixed takes on some of the titles I’ve read. When it comes to the romance genre in general, I can get easily disappointed with the lack of plot, character, or other develops in the favor of more “romance-facing” story-tel ...more
This cover immediately pulled me in. And I'm always up for an arranged marriage plotline so I was happy when I was accepted for the arc.
I liked the beginning and setup of the story; I think it helped that the world was kept small, fiefdoms instead of kingdoms make for a more intimate setting with smaller stakes.
While the writing was fine, the story is very rushed. Only about a month passes in between those 300 pages.
Derek can immediately tell that Callan has a cold exterior but a heart of gold w ...more
I liked the beginning and setup of the story; I think it helped that the world was kept small, fiefdoms instead of kingdoms make for a more intimate setting with smaller stakes.
While the writing was fine, the story is very rushed. Only about a month passes in between those 300 pages.
Derek can immediately tell that Callan has a cold exterior but a heart of gold w ...more
Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Wolf and the Sparrow
By Isabelle Adler
4/5
"Sweet, well constructed and full of feeling."
In the aftermath of a recent and brutal war between their fathers, Dukes Callan and Derek are entered into an arranged marriage to ensure an alliance, but neither being happy about it. With looming threats on the horizon, they must learn to work together and care for each other, but Callan has a secret that could change everything.
I really ...more
The Wolf and the Sparrow
By Isabelle Adler
4/5
"Sweet, well constructed and full of feeling."
In the aftermath of a recent and brutal war between their fathers, Dukes Callan and Derek are entered into an arranged marriage to ensure an alliance, but neither being happy about it. With looming threats on the horizon, they must learn to work together and care for each other, but Callan has a secret that could change everything.
I really ...more
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a brilliant story. Isabelle Adler is a fantastic story teller and I really enjoyed this. It was very fast paced and I really think that added to the story line.
The magical part of this book was super interesting but I wish I had gotten a little more explanation and it had been explored a bit more. I wish the book itself had been longer. I could have kept reading!
I am a HUGE fan of the enemies to ...more
This is a brilliant story. Isabelle Adler is a fantastic story teller and I really enjoyed this. It was very fast paced and I really think that added to the story line.
The magical part of this book was super interesting but I wish I had gotten a little more explanation and it had been explored a bit more. I wish the book itself had been longer. I could have kept reading!
I am a HUGE fan of the enemies to ...more
Nov 21, 2019
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arc provided by the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I didn’t really know anything about this book going into it besides the fact that it was fantasy and there were two queer princes and some type of conflict so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
We follow Derek, injured and mourning the death of his father after he started a battle with an enemy kingdom. That enemy kingdom ends up wanting Derek to marry the Duke’s son, Callan, to broker for peace ...more
I didn’t really know anything about this book going into it besides the fact that it was fantasy and there were two queer princes and some type of conflict so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
We follow Derek, injured and mourning the death of his father after he started a battle with an enemy kingdom. That enemy kingdom ends up wanting Derek to marry the Duke’s son, Callan, to broker for peace ...more
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Isabelle Adler writes M/M romance, sci-fi, adventure, and fantasy.
She has been a voracious reader from the age of five and always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination ...more
She has been a voracious reader from the age of five and always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination ...more
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