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Ether-Touched
Vylaena Azrel has one goal in life: lift the Curse set upon her by the goddess Ikna, dooming her to feel others' pain as her own. Living alone in the haunted Elderwood just outside the city of Cyair, Vylaena keeps well away from civilization--until the day a mysterious solicitor arrives at her doorstep to make her an offer that will change her life.
Unwillingly entangled in matters of state, Vylaena is brought to the Cyair Palace to play bodyguard to a newly-arrived foreign ambassador. Bound to the city and annoyed at her predicament, she endures her new position with grim acceptance. But the post proves more complicated than expected; despite her efforts to remain detached, Vylaena is forced to contend with the mass disappearances plaguing the kingdom, a war looming to the south, and a dark past that refuses to stay where she left it.
As dangerous forces converge around her, Vylaena has difficult choices to make--choices that will not only determine her own future, but the fate of the entire world.
Unwillingly entangled in matters of state, Vylaena is brought to the Cyair Palace to play bodyguard to a newly-arrived foreign ambassador. Bound to the city and annoyed at her predicament, she endures her new position with grim acceptance. But the post proves more complicated than expected; despite her efforts to remain detached, Vylaena is forced to contend with the mass disappearances plaguing the kingdom, a war looming to the south, and a dark past that refuses to stay where she left it.
As dangerous forces converge around her, Vylaena has difficult choices to make--choices that will not only determine her own future, but the fate of the entire world.
- GenresFantasy
336 pages, ebook
Published May 22, 2020
5 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
L.M. Coulson
1 book15 followersBorn on Maryland's western shore, L. M. Coulson was involved in the arts from a young age: constantly drawing, performing, crafting, and writing. After graduating with a fine arts degree, she moved to the midwest and pursued a career in graphic design while continuing to practice her writing after hours.
When she's not writing, Coulson enjoys learning new hand lettering techniques, playing video games, and being the Dungeon Master for a small group of adventurous friends.
When she's not writing, Coulson enjoys learning new hand lettering techniques, playing video games, and being the Dungeon Master for a small group of adventurous friends.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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August 6, 2024My favorite books are the ones where the characters are so real, and have so much chemistry, that it hurts to know they only exist in fiction. Add in a slow-burning romance, a unique magic system, and a badass heroine, and I’m hooked. That’s what I’ve attempted to give you here in the Breaking Stone Trilogy. It feels awkward to rate my own book, so I’m not going to do that. But if you’re like me and are drawn to character-driven romantic fantasy, I invite you to give Ether-Touched a try.
July 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this! The story is full of compelling atmosphere from the very beginning. Some of the themes are very dark and tragic and yet there's also plenty of humor - a balance that's really hard to find in fantasy.
Every character has depth and strong, individual motivations. And each one of our perspective character ends up different in the end from where they started. This book is about the difficulty that comes from maturing - each character recognizes the responsibility that comes with their power and struggles with the difficulty of taking up their places in the world. They all mature and grow in their own way, but there's plenty of room for them to be developed even more. What I love the most is the real connections the characters develop with each other. At times the chemistry between the characters is overwhelming! I like them all, but Flinx is my favorite. Flinx should rule the world, seriously.
The plot is interesting and well-paced. There's plenty of room for character development and world-building but never at the expense of stagnating the plot, which is another tough thing to balance in fantasy, especially in the first book of a series.
I'm really excited for the sequel - can't wait to learn more about these characters and this world!
Every character has depth and strong, individual motivations. And each one of our perspective character ends up different in the end from where they started. This book is about the difficulty that comes from maturing - each character recognizes the responsibility that comes with their power and struggles with the difficulty of taking up their places in the world. They all mature and grow in their own way, but there's plenty of room for them to be developed even more. What I love the most is the real connections the characters develop with each other. At times the chemistry between the characters is overwhelming! I like them all, but Flinx is my favorite. Flinx should rule the world, seriously.
The plot is interesting and well-paced. There's plenty of room for character development and world-building but never at the expense of stagnating the plot, which is another tough thing to balance in fantasy, especially in the first book of a series.
I'm really excited for the sequel - can't wait to learn more about these characters and this world!
April 12, 2021
L.M. Coulson brings us the desperate struggle to break a curse in a unique fantasy world with Ether-Touched! Vylaena Azrel has been cursed by a goddess, making her feel other people’s pain. But when a solicitor brings her an unusual offer, she comes out of exile to play bodyguard for a foreign delegation. Coulson builds such a cool world on par with Warcraft and Game of Thrones, but it was Vylaena’s character and struggle that really hit this one home for me! There is such depth in this book coupled with a really intriguing plot that left me excited to spend more time in this world. If you love high fantasy anchored in strong characters, come break the curse in Ether-Touched!
October 12, 2020
I love a world and story you can settle into - especially when you have the pleasure of getting to know a badass, super smart, strong as nails female protagonist along the way. L.M. Coulson provided just that in this first book of the Breaking Stone Trilogy and I'm already counting down the days till I can read #2.
July 5, 2020
The characters, the ever-expanding plot, and the world-building kept me glued to this book. Can’t wait for what comes next!
September 5, 2020
Exactly what I needed. A world to escape to with a formidable female presence.
January 8, 2021
We are proud to announce that ETHER-TOUCHED (The Breaking Stone Trilogy #1)by L.M. Coulson is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
March 23, 2021
I can't wait for the 2nd and 3rd to come out. This is the kind of read that immediately makes you feel like you can reach out and touch the characters and feel as they do.
January 21, 2024
5 stars
Great story telling with a steady pace. The world building enticed me page after page. I am deeply invested in these characters and can't wait until book two!
Great story telling with a steady pace. The world building enticed me page after page. I am deeply invested in these characters and can't wait until book two!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews