Indigo Dusk

by Kristy Nicolle

When Kairi Freemont happens upon a winged man on her parents’ Tennessee Ranch, she’s given what she’s wanted ever since the day she was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: An escape from the pain of her chronic, invisible illness.

Through the power of the Aetherial Sun, Aro shows her there’s not only a place where her pain disappears but that she can live in a fairytale world of Unicorns, Fae, and magic she’s always wished was real. But when Kairi discovers that meeting Aro was no accident, that she may have lived a whole past life at Aro’s side before being stolen away by the monstrous Draconians, things start to spin out of control.

Are the Draconians, a race of banished dragon riders who have long since lost their precious reptilian steeds, as monstrous as the rest of Aetheria believes? And what lies at the heart of Aro’s motivation behind sweeping Kairi off her feet? Is it simply flirtation and his desire to give her a better life, or is the truth far more malicious than she could have ever expected?

THE QUEENS OF FANTASY SAGA

BOOKS IN THIS SAGA

TRILOGY ONE- THE TIDAL KISS TRILOGY
THE KISS THAT KILLED ME
THE KISS THAT SAVED ME
THE KISS THAT CHANGED ME

TRILOGY 2- THE ASHEN TOUCH TRILOGY
THE OPAL BLADE
THE ONYX HOURGLASS
THE OBSIDIAN SHARD

THE AETHERIAL EMBRACE TRILOGY (COMING 2019)
INDIGO DUSK
VIOLET DAWN
LAVENDER STORM

BOOK 10- CONCLUDING NOVEL
QUEENS OF FANTASY

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romantasy, Fae, Enemies To Lovers, Angels, Fantasy Romance

681 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2020

About the author

Hi, I’m Kristy Nicolle, a 27-year-old British writer achieving freedom from the pain of my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome diagnosis by bringing fantasy worlds to life for my readers. I currently enjoy spending time in my fuzzy PJs with my kitty arch nemesis, Moo, and love all things mermaids, unicorns, and glitter! My books centre around high detail, high action fantasy worlds, full of badass female characters who love to get steamy.

Reviews

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating! A beautifully crafted new series that took me to a new intriguing world full of dragons, Fae, magic and more. I really loved this new world and the unique creatures in them. The story itself pulled me in full of love, betrayal, mystery, and lies.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!!!

Another captivating story by Kristy Nicolle!! Kairi is pulled into an alternate universe that makes her EDS symptoms disappear and her heart fly. The author does a wonderful job world building and her characters are very realistic. Ms Nicolle actually has EDS so her description of what is like to live with an invisible but very painful disease is right on the money. Kairi learns some hurtful but empowering truths as the story progresses. Will she stay, go, or give up everything as she learns her inner strength is so much more than she ever dreamed?? I loved this engaging tale!!!

[Jaimie Cordall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first instalment of the Aetherial Embrace Trilogy delivers a promising premise for what really could be an epic fantasy romance (as the title suggests). Kairi Freemont, a bibliophile seeking escape from her chronic pain in the form of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, suddenly has her world flipped upside down when a winged man shows up on her family's Tennessee ranch. He shows her a glimpse of a life filled with beauty, unicorns, fae - but most importantly, a life free of pain that she craves so desperately.

Kristy Nicolle expertly weaves together a new, fantastical realm - one that deserves to be seen on screen, just so you can fully appreciate and admire the depth and beauty in the detail of Aetheria and its many contrasting geographical regions. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, she throws in a curveball that leaves you guessing and questioning every character's intentions.

So if you love gods, goddesses, angels, fae, unicorns, adventure, travel, conspiracies and - spoiler - dragons... Then you need to read this book.

[Stephanie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never pictured a magical world as vividly as Kristy paints Aetheria! The details and feelings invoked are like no other... and that library *swoon*!

While it is hard to top my love of Sephy and Haedes in the Ashen Touch trilogy, Kristy finds a way to twist new characters into your heart with the Aetherial Embrace trilogy.

Much like our FMC Kairi, I too fell for Aro's angelic disposition. A prince charming is looking for his long-lost love reborn into a different world. But, the realm of good and evil might not be as you think. I instantly turned to loathing him and questioning everything about his past after a few twisted and revealing chapters. I don't think I've ever flipped from love to hate of a character as fast as Aro. I am 100% wishing for his demise in this trilogy!

It's interesting to see the twisted ways the God's amuse themselves and toy with one another with these kindred worlds they've created.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book!

[Ginevra Mancinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Review contains spoilers.)

First, I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read an ARC edition of this book for an honest review. I've loved this story from the very beginning, and though this was the first time I read high fantasy romance featuring faes and Greek mythology, Kristy Nicolle has set the bar really high for future similar reads. Kristy writes beautifully, with a defined and polished voice.

Rating breakdown:
• World-building: 1★
• Characters (cast & development): 1★
• Plot (pacing, stakes, and execution): 1★
• Themes: 1★
• Prose: 1★

Final rating: 5/5

The World-Building
Indigo Dusk begins in our modern world. Kairi Freemont is, in fact, an American young woman who lives with her dads. The whole family had to move from the city to the countryside because of Kairi's syndrome, and despite the familiar setting, the author takes the time to describe Kairi's routine, her interests, and the world around her.

Once Kairi enters Aetheria, the world-building becomes so detailed, full of lore, and takes the reader into a universe reminiscent of something between Disney and The Lord of the Rings. This becomes possible because behind the shiny colors and magical beings, there's a much crueler tale to be told. Kristy Nicolle takes the time to go into heavy detail about Aetheria, which is not something you find in modern literature.

The Characters
Kairi and Ehler-Danlos Syndrome
I know that this is an own voice book, and the author spoke through the main character. And yet, I never felt like Kairi was some sort of odd self-insert meant to liberate the author or make her live a life that wasn't hers. Kairi doesn't come with a set of qualities or abilities that would make her not relatable, or a hero, and I thought that was perfect. She's a girl whose life completely changed and who pulls through in the best way she can. She's a bookworm with a cat named Catticus (and that's the best pet name ever, just saying), and you just want to hang out with her. Though the chapters where she is in the 21st century with her dads seem so far away now, I remember them with almost a nostalgic feeling because the author portrayed Kairi's life with simplicity and sensibility.

There is one particular quote I loved about Kairi and her life with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome:

"I'm weak, and what's worse it's becoming increasingly obvious to me that the failure of my physical self has caused my mental health to fragment. I see it now as a clear fissure between what I had been and what I am now. I want to bridge the two, but can find no way; because there is simply no way back to the person I had been before the pain."

Another element that I want to praise the author for is that she wasn't afraid to mention things like weight gain and stretch marks in a world where aesthetics and appearances matter. Too often, fantasy books have female characters that are just so pleasant to "look at" and it's hard to picture them as women who lived a certain experience.

Lucien DeLaurent
The moment I read this guy's name, I knew I was going to like him. And maybe that's because I like every variant of this name, or perhaps these are remnants of the only few good parts of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas speaking for me.

"I mean, if I'm trapped here by my own utter stupidity, might as well stir the shit while I'm at it. If there's anything a Frenchman is notoriously good at, it's being an utter asshole hidden behind a fine suit and exemplary surface etiquette."

Need I say more? I grew up in France, and I can't disagree with him.

"Now, Kairi, I know your hair isn't as well kept as mine, but I'd hardly call you a beast, dear."

I normally dislike references to works such as Beauty and the Beast because they often turn out to be cheesy, but this one made me wheeze.

I adored the fact that Lucien isn't there just to be the "less obvious" love interest and that the author took the time to develop his friendship with his fellow High Born. She made him as three-dimensional as a Draconian can be through simple things like the shopping part and the dragon race. It honestly surprised me to see that he was the most emotionally involved one, but that too is a welcome change in an ocean of fantasy romances where the "good girl" falls for someone who's allegedly morally grey and then turns out to be... a rubber duck.

Can't wait to find out more about his freezing abilities!

Aro Black
I'm all about villains/morally grey characters that are consistent. I cannot find excellent characters whenever I read fantasy these days. That is probably because a lot of authors like to romanticize them when their beauty lies within the fact that they are not romantic. They're the most realistic characters out there and Aro stole the show for me. The author knows what's important about such characters. He's the Hyde in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and honestly, the moment he snapped Kairi's arm, I melted. Don't arrest me. Although I knew it was coming, and I thought the guy was suspicious since the very beginning, I loved the execution.

"You will die when I deem it time."

And boy, did he maintain his promise!

A lot of fantasy romances have villains that are two-dimensional, with little to no background. They lack the intelligence that would make you wonder what their next move is. With Aro, this doesn't happen. He's extremely methodical, and a bit of a megalomaniac. It's insane how well the author explained the reasons behind his actions. He's a character you should hate, but you can't because he has his own moral compass. If you abide by it, you just understand where he's coming from and why he wants what he wants. (Also, the Temple of Hera scene?!)

Genevieve Thomas
Failing to see Genevieve's goals at the beginning, I wondered if Aro and Genevieve were going to go down the enemies-to-lovers' path. Him sneaking up in her bedroom didn't help my sick mind. And they just hate each other so much that I kept picturing it. Anyway, I think theirs is one hell of a great dynamic for enemies. The fact he killed Gen's dragon... That was probably the saddest, and yet the most exciting, scene of the book. It sets up so much for the rest of the story, and I'm so sad for Genevieve. She had honestly not much to do with the whole Kairi and Lucien fiasco. Yet, she's the one who takes the loss. She ends up dealing with the consequences of Lucien helping Kairi out.

Genevieve's story is one I'll be following thoroughly in the next installments.

The Plot
While this is the first book in the trilogy, I already see Kairi's development proceed swiftly. She starts off as this daydreaming bookworm who clearly forgot she shouldn't accept candies from strangers. However, the reasoning behind it is far from immature.

"Perhaps, coming from a world where men seem to revel in mixed signals has made me crave this kind of romantic openness, where the male in question is not afraid or even unsure of his feelings but pursues them with the virile certainty of a predator closing in on his prey."

(I mean, is there anyone out there willing to disagree?!)

Aside from that, it was nice for once to have a main character who doesn't rely on magical powers or other gained abilities. Kairi's open-mindedness and instincts allow her to see the truth about her past and make the right decisions at the very end, and though Catticus turns out to be a Kensari, it wasn't one of those weird situations where somehow the MC and her pet automatically bond. She doesn't even use him to fight or something. Clearly, the author is taking the time to build each element she mentions, and that's the way authors should be writing. Without rush.

The Themes
Most themes approached in this novel weave themselves into character development. The disability representation was a refresher, especially when it deals with diseases this rare. Kairi also never heals; Aetheria makes EDS disappear under the illusion of the Aetherial sun, but whenever she returns to her world, her pain is back. The only way she gets rid of it is... after dying.

There are other well-written themes in the background, considering that every character comes from a different era and country. There are mentions of war, forced prostitution, domestic abuse. None if it appears forced or meant to score pity points. The characters assess it as part of who they are, and there is no dramatic monologue about it.

The Prose
Kristy has such an insane talent. She throws you in a world of Pegasi and dancing on floating clouds and then she sends a church bell in your face to remind you that this is still a crude, cruel world that is about to witness a massive war. The author's writing is poetic and yet so real it won't disappoint you. The way she structures her sentences is very British English, so that may turn off some readers. I believe she has great sentence variety, though.

Five stars from me. Now, this is a fae romance book. Sarah J. Maas and the likes, please step aside.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So compelling, so engaging!

It’s a good thing that I’ve been having a lot of reading time lately, because I have been reading both of her trilogies and this new release and I could not put any of them down. This newest book is the best one yet. I thought that about The Opal Blade, but now this has topped that. There’s just something about the writing style that has enchanted me. Well written, with well developed characters and a good plot. And Kairi, it took no time for her to capture a place in my heart. I could so feel her pain, being chronically ill myself. An invisible illness. So I loved reading her story. I can’t wait to read more!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insert the brain exploding emoji here, because I honestly am lost for words. This book wrenched every emotion from me. From excitement to resentment. Screaming at the book, snorting out loud, and choking on my tea from laughter; I am emotionally exhausted after reading. Kairi is a force unto herself. Unique and quietly fierce, but I can still see how she fits in the grand scheme of the Infiniverse. I will now very impatiently wait for the next book so I can see what comes next for Kairi.

[Winters Rage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Kristy Nicolle, and I know I always say "OMG this is her best book evar! Eeeeeeee!" But Indigo Dusk is both her most magical work yet, and also her purest, most honest and real narrative I've read.
From the allure of magical solutions for real problems, to the fear of relying on hope again while still fumbling with the pieces of a broken life, this book was both painful to live through and beautiful to behold.
I love it.

[Angie Pfeiffer-Senft · Rating 4 out of 5]

An escape from reality. Ask any book lover and I guarantee their greatest escape from reality is found between the pages of an amazing book. Reading can be utilized not only as an escape but also as one of the cheapest forms of therapy. For me personally I used reading as both an escape and therapy while going through chemotherapy. Anything that would distract me from what was really going on, and I know I’m not alone. So what exactly do well written books give readers who are struggling mentally, physically, and emotionally? HOPE. There’s nothing quite like reading hope between the lines of a book. You have the ability to “hang in a moment that’s halfway between a nightmare of hope that will never be fulfilled, and a fantasy whereby everything [you’ve] ever wanted is firmly within [your] grasp.” You have a main character who can relate to your struggles, especially those of us in chronic pain, and Author Kristy Nicolle shows us that it’s okay to not find our way back to the person we once were before the pain. She allows us to believe that “the imaginary could become tangible.”

Kairi Freemont is a free spirit, but even free spirits have trouble flying with a clipped wing. At 23 years old Kairi is dealing with a diagnosis that would bring most people to their knees to bargain with the devil. She chooses to deal with it one spoon at a time, knowing she doesn’t have the same 20 spoons a day most people do, more like 6 (if you are unaware about spoon theory for chronic pain, please visit here). Living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is “wanting respite from the pain of yesterday, but [careless actions] will most likely cost today’s comfort as well.” It’s no wonder Kairi finds her freedom in well worn novels, a mental escape into a pain-free world. Thankfully Kairi has the help she needs at home with her fathers however, “it’s impossible not to feel infantilised with a condition like this because often I need help doing things that even a child could manage.” If a winged stranger showed up out of the blue and promised you a place where you felt no pain, would you take the bait and go? Kairi takes a chance to remember what it was like to live a life without hindrances, only to be shown that wishes and dreams are a two-faced bargain, and not all stories have credence.


Note: While I may not look upon some of the things I say as a spoiler, others might. It is never my intention to spoil a book for anyone.

The Covers
Cover Photo
I’m a complete sucker for a gorgeous cover. What I love about Kristy Nicolle’s covers are the diversity. All eye catching, all gorgeous colors, all relevant to what the actual story is about. Even better, once her trilogies are all complete she piles them into on big tome. Needless to say so far I have each individual book as well as their respective tomes.



Book Set-up

“Indigo Dusk” has a pretty linear story line. There’s no jumping back and forth between present and past. The only jumping the reader will be doing is from mortal to immortal world (which is rare), jumping from one continent to another in the immortal world, and one instance of a memory backstory which you will be living through vicariously and wishing there was more.

Here’s where we get down to brass tacks about what readers prefer/like and what they don’t. ALL of Kristy Nicolle’s books are heavy handed with descriptions. I know a lot of readers deem this unnecessary or even at times fluff, however I disagree vehemently. I enjoy well written descriptions of people, places, and things to view the story accurately in my head. I know not everyone does this, only a select few of people. Kristy is extremely articulate in her descriptions, a place for everything and everything in its place. Which ultimately leads me to my next topic.



Conspiracy Theories
Because I’m a sucker for detail, I occasionally start to hyper-focus on things others could have possibly missed. Whether knowingly or unbeknownst to the author, there are a certain set of clues in the beginning chapters that directed my thoughts on how the book would turn out. One was color. There is a certain two-toned color that is mentioned three times within a chapter (or two). My biggest discovery (and here could be a possible spoiler) was almost a simile for a cage. Naturally Kairi feels her diagnosis as some sort of cage, trapped. When going into Solis Castra, what would presumably be her “escape”, she is brought into the city in a covered carriage. Okay Angie, what’s the big deal? It’s a carriage. My point being, as mesmerizing as this new escape is, she’s traded one cage, for another. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it could be AstroTurf. One of the other main characters also has a mode of transportation mentioned, and it’s an OPEN sleigh. Again, to some this minute little detail can be overlooked, I could be labeled as taking things out of context, however I was correct in my theories.

People, Places, Things
The … enormity this book contains blows my mind. While I’m familiar with Kristy Nicolle’s other worlds (see Ashen Touch and Tidal Kiss) there are times where I do feel a bit lost on characters and places. Here in Aetheria we have 4 floating continents, all divided with species on each one. I cannot even get into all of it without giving some of the mystery away. There were a couple of times I had to go back and re-read some descriptions to make sure I was in the correct place or remembered what happened in a certain place with a certain person. If you’re used to a small group of characters in a book, get ready to have your socked knocked off!

Similar Books
While each book in it’s own respect is independent, I receive a few messages asking if I enjoyed this book, what is another book similar you think I would enjoy? In particular, two books stuck out to me while reading “Indigo Dusk”. For readers who enjoyed Lauren Kate’s “Fallen” series, and Sarah J Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series, you’ll find yourself surrounded by familiar themes.

The Good
This is Book One of “The Aetherial Embrace” trilogy, however this is NOT the first book in the “Queens of Fantasy” Saga. You’ve got:

1. The Tidal Kiss Trilogy
2. The Ashen Touch Trilogy
3. The Aetherial Embrace Trilogy
While reading these trilogies out of order isn’t exactly suggested, it is doable. Personally, I started with the Ashen Touch Trilogy not aware that there was an entire trilogy before it. What fans will tell you is that reading them in order you’ll read over little easter eggs in each book, almost like an inside joke to Kristy Nicolle fans.

The descriptions are top notch. Again, I know descriptions are not for every reader, and this could possibly make someone give a book a lesser star for it. I find “Indigo Dusk” completely rich with detail.

The bad
This is just my personal opinion- some may not view this as bad. There is a MAJOR trigger chapter in here that I’m not even going to get to in here. Some may deem it as unnecessary, however traumatized I was after reading said trigger I have to disagree. Sometimes you need to have a bit of violence to see through the glamour, see through the character flaws, and ultimately have a villain to hate.

Conclusion
While this isn’t my all time favorite book from Kristy Nicolle, this was a solid start for a new series. There are no loose ends (except the obvious cliffhanger), she didn’t dump useless information at the end of the book to tie up the knots. Everything was laid out beautifully for the continuation of the series. There was only one split second where I was confused at the end of a character’s disappearance and then reappearance.

[Beth Tuley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book-loving FMC with Ehlers-Danlos & dragon riders…

Nope, it’s not THAT series, it’s one that came out 3 years before that one. One that I’d never heard of, but luckily stumbled upon when asked to read this 9 book saga before the author’s 10th and final tie-in novel.

Indigo Dusk is the first book of Kristy Nicolle’s third trilogy, the Aethereal Embrace. It follows the Tidal Kiss and Ashen Touch trilogies, and will conclude just before the big conclusion, which should release this summer.

Indigo Dusk features Kairi Freemont, a 23 year old human woman who was diagnosed with EDS a year or so ago, and watched her life basically crumble. From a competitive figure skater, to basically home-bound bookworm, she’s stuck and struggling.

The rest of this review could be considered spoilers so read at your own risk…

One day, while reading by her pond on her property in Tennessee, she meets a handsome stranger, who happens to be a Sephilim (kindred of Zeus,) who whisks her off to Aetherea, the realm he lives in, where the sun heals mortals and makes her EDS symptoms disappear. After spending a day there being wowed by Aro, she’s returned to Tennessee with an offer of going back with him the next night for a longer trip. She agrees, only to find out that Aro is no hero, he’s a narcissist and an abuser, who only wants her because she’s got the “heirbound” mark, which means she has the ability to determine the next king of Aetherea. Like Tamlin but worse.

After being rescued by an unlikely hero, who happens to be a cinnamon roll and an all-around good dude, not to mention a dragon rider, she’s harbored in Drakos Vale until Aro finds out her location and wages war on the Draconians. This novel follows her progress through different realms of Aetherea and concludes with a showdown between Kairi and Aro, and following Kristy’s footprint for this saga, her eventual death and rebirth as an immortal.

I’m looking forward to the next two books in this series- it immediately hooked my attention and sucked me in. Easily my favorite trilogy of the saga thus far.

[Purpleallison Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about 25% of the way through this book. I kept trying to read it, but it felt like a teenager's self-insertion story. It wasn't a horrible story, but it was mostly boring and cringe.

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Loved this! It was intriguing and romantic, and twisty, and all the things I love. So glad I had book 2 already, so I could immediately read what happened next! Great read.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never know what to write in a review that won't spoil the story so I generally stick to character development, world building etc. These are things that Kristy Nicolle does very well in all her books, so I start to sound like a broken record. So with that in mind let me assure you she did an excellent job crafting all of her characters, even the bit players, so that they all have a unique voice. Her world is complex and very detailed and she masterfully lays it out for us a piece at a time so we can experience it organically.

Now that that is out of the way I would like to talk about the heroine for a minute. She has an invisible illness and I truly appreciate how we get to see her coping with this life altering condition. She has EDS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. This is something that the author shares with her character. I think that helps transform this novel from great to exceptional. This also means that this must have been incredibly difficult for her to write. I appreciate all of the hard work and emotional labour she must have undertaken to write something so profoundly personal. It takes great courage to share our struggles with the world and I applaud Ms. Nicolle doing so. I would love to see more characters with diverse medical backgrounds and conditions, including invisible ones, appearing in novels. Maybe if they did we, as a society, could have an honest conversation about how difficult life is to manage for those individuals and how much they have to give of themselves just to survive.

I hope you enjoy this story as much I did (I already can't wait for the next one). I would also like to encourage you to follow Kristy Nicolle on social media. She is very open and honest about her condition and what it is like to live with. By following her I have gained a ton of insight as to how much harder life is for people with invisible conditions.

Happy reading!

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indigo Dusk is the first novel in The Aetherial Embrace Trilogy, the latest series to come from Kristy Nicolle (an amazing indie author, so you should go check out the rest of her works!).

Kairi Freemont just stumbled across a person she never expected to see in real life. Here, at her parent's ranch, stands a man with wings. Yes, you read that right. He's here, and he's real. But, more than that, he's offering her a way to escape her pain.

You see, Kairi has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and through the magic that Aro carries within, he can free her from that pain she bears on a daily basis. This opens her eyes to a world of magic and creatures, and yet there is something more to this story.

“The figure on the other side of the pond steps forward, the sun rising from behind me illuminating his face as he sheds his hood.”

I was blown away by how hard Indigo Dusk hit me in the feels. I believe it is Kristy Nicolle's vivid descriptions and how she laid out Kairi's life. Kristy Nicolle herself has EDS, so the details of Kairi's life as not lacking, and it truly adds a punch here.

As does the introduction of Aro, if we're being honest. His appearance throws her entire world into a whirlwind, which sometimes feels more literal than not. This story is very much an epic fantasy romance, and Nicolle delivers on that promise.

I adore that Kairi herself is a massive book-lover – it takes no time at all for readers to immediately appreciate her and her quirks. Naturally, that means we're all quite invested in her story by the time Aro shows up.

Indigo Dusk is a delightful read, one that I am so happy to have taken the time to pick up. Since I'm a bit late on starting this one, I am lucky enough to be able to dive right into Violet Dawn (the second novel in the trilogy) with no wait. Yay!

Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[The Magic of Books Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Indigo Dusk: An Epic Fantasy Romance (The Aetherial Embrace Trilogy Book 1) by Kristy Nicolle

5 stars

Indigo Dusk is by far one of my favorite reads of 2020.

I've followed this Author since her debut novel and she just keeps getting better and better. Her attention to detail is insane. Her character and world-building are out of this world. She doesn't just let you fall into the story. She sweeps you away in it like a ferocious hurricane!

Indigo Dusk is about a young woman named Kairi, fighting an invisible illness. She finds solace in a man whom she thinks is going to give her a happily ever after. He sweeps her away to a magical place. The vivid imagery of this fairytale-like place is just beyond amazing. The detail that went into this new world is phenomenal. I felt like I was in this heavenly sacred place. The color scheme and details were just so precise and painted the best picture in my head. It gave me all sorts of the feels. I love that by the end of the book Kairi does not let her disease run her life. She accepts her past and takes charge of the present and her future. This book left me wanting more. SO much more. It's going to hurt waiting for the next installment. This was just such a great book! One that will stay with me for a long time. I love mythical creatures and fairytale-like stories. So, this had me hook line and sinker. I often can tell how a story is going to end and this one had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. I would highly recommend this book to others.

5 beautifully amazing stars

Reviewed by The Magic of Books Admin Jenna

[BlueBug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at a loss for words. This story took me places so vivid and fantastic that I can't imagine what the inside of the author's mind must be like. Kairi is a woman who is fighting daily to survive for one more day with an illness that breaks her in so many ways. When a handsome winged man shows up one day and tells her he's been waiting for her, searching for her, and promises to help her escape the painful life she's leading, she can't help but want a taste. But everything is not what it seems, and danger follows her wherever she goes. She has choices to make, and any one of them could mean her end. Yet, there are truths that have traversed time, and when she discovers them, it will change the direction of her future and help her find her real destiny.

There were so many moments in the story that had me on the edge of my seat. There was so much love with her earthly family. But the pain was tangible, and I could see the author's heart and life within Kairi's. I have been addicted to these stories from the first trilogy. Each one takes us to a new plane and the colorful painting she gives us becomes more brilliant with each stroke of the pen she brushes onto the page. This was an unpredictable, heart-stopping, and mind-blowing experience. She gives us heroes and heroines we fall in love with, villains who break us, and builds worlds we never want to leave. I don't know where she's going to take us next, but I am looking forward to continuing the journey.

[Ari Ovalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book, literally, and so many emotions I feel, just won't do this review justice. My heart was soaring and then plummeting. So much of this story IS the author. She sheds light on a very real, very present, invisible chronic illness, EDS or Ehlers-Danlo Syndrome. It is not pretty. The disease does not care if you have something important to do or somebody important to be. And while I cannot say, "I know what you're going through." I can say that I know how it feels to be shunned, discarded, not enough all those negative feelings of not be wanted, when in reality you're actually NEEDED more than you'd ever know. And maybe you won't see it at first, but eventually, you do.
This storyline though, kept me on the edge of my seat. Took me places I could never imagined. Every time I thought I had it figured out, nope. And I love it!! Kairi, this Queen here, has got to be my most favorite of all!! Her character depth is resilient and you can't help but feel like you CAN be Kairi!! The author made me hate and love and those feelings were so strong!! This book is truly a masterpiece and filled with everything you want out of a fantasy!!

[Candra Kylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep coming back to Kristy's books because this is a woman who knows how to write a modern fantasy epic. She has the romance to keep the pages turned, the action to keep me on the edge of my seat, and the beautiful settings to make my imagination roam. The start of this trilogy is probably where she excels at it the best. The world of Aetheria is a place out of reach for humans but a vivid paradise to what we're used to. Kairi, the protagonist, goes from suffering daily in the stark reality of the human world to being swept away into a place where magic thrives. It's there that she heals and her heart learns some telling lessons.
Just when the crystal flowers and flying lions have her entranced, however, a darker story comes in that will challenge her. I loved Kairi and how she dealt with the situations that would arise. She taught me about endurance and, overall, compassion. The love she has for her fathers (super kudos for the fantastic LGBTQ+ representation) and those she cares about is stronger than any shadow. Kairi is a girl you will want to follow into the sequel which, personally, can't come soon enough.

[Hannah (Sakurahan or ForeverBooks18) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the Aetherial Embrace Trilogy gives the reader a great premise into a what I’m sure will be a compelling fantasy romance trilogy! Book 1 was FAB!

Kairi Freemont, a bibliophile who just wants freedom and escape from her Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, chronic pain surprisingly has her world flipped upside down when a very much unexpected winged man shows up on her family's normal, run-of-the-mill Tennessee ranch. He shows her what life CAN be like without pain, the life that she so desperately craves, as well as a fantasy world brimming with unicorns, and fae beings - much like himself.

I really appreciated the disability representation as I have a disability myself.

If you love gods, goddesses, angels, fae, unicorns, adventure, travel, conspiracies, dragons and twists galore, and guessing as well as piecing information together, then pick up this book! You don’t know who to trust in this book! The author will leave you questioning yourself…which is what I like in fantasy!

[LeAnna Herr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a bookworm I’m constantly looking for books to lose myself in and Kristy Nicolle did not disappoint. This book has such a pull right from the beginning and as a fellow chronic illness warrior I was captivated from the start. The best part of this book is finding small parts of the authors soul in every page and in my opinion that makes the book all the better. Kaira was the character I didn’t know I was missing from my many travels through the book world. Kristy gives you such an intricate look into the world of Aetheria that you really feel like you are right there smelling the Fae world, dancing in the fancy gowns in this fairytale like world. Between the dragons and the Fae I can’t tell you what my favorite part of this books is because it’s now taken place as my number 1 favorite book. If you’re looking for a magical world to completely lose yourself in Kristy Nicolle is who you need to read. Happy reading ❤️

[Ashten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Kristy weaves a tale of magic. This is a beautiful story of the acceptance of oneself as well as the rediscovery of oneself. Not only is this story magical its is a bit educational as well. The main character draws with a condition called EDS which stands for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It is great to see a character dealing with issues that are not well known. It brings them to the light to help desigmtis hidden syndromes. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean someone is not going through it.

I really don't want to go to much into the book because I believe with all of her books you should just read them and been taken along for the ride. This is one ride that you will not want to miss.

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I Could More Than 5 Stars

Kari battles Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and has been looking for a way go escape the illness no one can see. When she meets a man with wings at her parents ranch, she may have found her escape. But is this escape worthwhile or is it more malevolent than she realizes?

This book was mind-blowingly good. The author took the fantasy genre and absolutely killed it. The plot was fascinating and had me clinging to every word. Kari is beyond relatable. Her story was impactful and the struggles she deals with make you appreciate her character all the more. Aro's character was mysterious and I wasn't sure about him to start, but as the story went on, I grew to love his character.

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Indigo Dusk” was my first experience with author Kristy Nicolle’s writing style, and honestly, I have no idea what I was expecting when I first started reading.

However, now that I’ve finished is that this is one of the best, most complex fantasy books I’ve read in a while - the world building was spectacular, and I was drawn to the story from the very first page.

This book had multiple POVs, but that didn’t make it confusing or overwhelming. I truly believe each POV was necessary to the plot and the development of these characters.

I also loved all the plot twists! Even when I thought I had things figured out, something else would happen to prove me wrong. I’m so glad I discovered Kristy Nicolle as an author, and I will definitely be continuing with the series!

[Louise White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I see that Kristy Nicolle has a new novel out I know that I'm in for one epic journey in a beautifully described landscape. Her words are always enticing and captivating and this story is no different.

Indigo Dusk is the start of the Aetherial Embrace Trilogy, and the final Trilogy in the Queens of Fantasy series. You don't have to have read the others to enjoy this story but there are some nice references and links mentioned amongst the pages.

This tale is a very personal story for Kristy Nicolle, the main female character (Kairi Freemont) dealing with a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a chronic pain disorder that is an invisible illness, something that Kristy deals with herself.

I know that if I'm reading one of Kristy's books then then I need to give it my undevided attention, the detail in the world building is phenomenol, Atheria is a place of wonder and dreams, a place that Kairi is pain free. But nothing is as easy as it seems, who can she truly trust? Who is the real enemy? There are some gut wrenching, heartbreaking scenes between the fantasy and romance of Atheria.

I'm looking forward to carrying on the story and seeing what will happen in Violet Dawn.

[Samantha Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so magical and inspiring! I loved this! We follow the main character Kairi who has a invisible chronic illness, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. She loves reading her books and when she meets a guy who takes her to a magical fairytale place where her pain disappears. She can’t help but wanting to stay. But after spending time in this fairytale place, it isn’t what she thought it was and things start to unravel and she discovers more of the truth. This book is so inspiring from Kairi having this illness and seeing her fight no matter what the cost are. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you so much Kristy for sending me a copy!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I think this is my favorite of the saga so far!
Kairi has EDS, a condition that came on suddenly for her within the past few years. She does her best to combat the pain, but some days it's simply too much. On her weekly trip to the bookstore (fair, honestly) she stumbles into a chance and a world she didn't know existed.
I LOVED the twist of who the MMC really is, because I definitely was not expecting it. And I loved the little mystery of what really happened with Storm, Lucien, and Aro that finally got figured out in the end. As we got to the end of the story, I really think we got to see how strong Kairi is regardless of her EDS, and I love how she used how people saw her to her advantage.
I'm really excited to see how the next book goes!

[Ashley Tennison · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, it was a little confusing for me to read. I was lost for a few chapters but then it all came together and made sense. There is a lot of intelligence in this book. The first book in this series has a ton of world building and character building. I love how she goes into incredible detail in describing the terrain and goes in depth about her sickness. (EDS) When she discovers the world of fantasy with fae, unicorns, Goddesses & Gods, her world is turned upside down. Gripping tale of fantasy that once I was in, I didn’t want to put it down. She keeps you on your toes with twists and turns.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read the previous two trilogy’s and they were incredible so couldn’t wait to immerse myself in this latest trilogy and OMG it did not disappoint! Kairi lives her life in constant pain with an illness that is silent and invisible and faces her battles daily. One day she comes across a winged man who promises the world. A world with no pain, a world just like in the fairytales and a world that sounds too good to be true. It’s an intriguing and fascinating read with incredible world building and fantastic characters and I am on to book two!

[Jean Holtof · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic world where anything is possible, Aetheria. Why would Kairi not want to live there pain free forever? An amazing story that is so descriptive it paints pictures in the mine while being read. Mythology integrated within the story reveals how the gods have played with people, creating worlds beyond description. Reading this story left me feeling engrossed in these worlds. Kristy Nicolle is a gifted storyteller.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Kristy has a knack for descriptive storytelling. Every scene is vividly described. The characters are well developed and quite the cast. At first, I was enraptured with Aro, just like Kairi. I was fascinated with the Aetherial world. Then, I became enamored with Lucien. Plus there are dragons. There are quite a few trigger warnings as its graphic and spicy in places.

I definitely recommend this series. Especially if you like chunky books!