Arcane Rising

The Darkland Druids #1

by Nicole R. Taylor

A secret past. A forbidden power. Someone’s got some serious explaining to do.

After her secretive father dies, Elspeth Quarrie embarks on a quest across the world to discover her unknown Scottish heritage.
Landing in Edinburgh, she doesn’t count on her first day being full of creepy graveyards, several attempted abductions, and nightmarish creatures hiding behind human faces.

When fate catches up with her, a mysterious stranger by the name of Raurich ‘Rory’ Mackenzie is there to help — only Elspeth does the saving, blasting their attacker with magic she didn’t know she had. Then, as shock sets in, Rory reveals she’s a Druid — an elemental supernatural being with the power to distort the very fabric of nature.

Desperate for answers, Elspeth follows Rory into an exciting hidden world where myth is reality and dreams are within reach…but not everything is as magical as it seems.

The Druids are being hunted by the Chimera, a dark sect of Fae warriors who desire power above all else. And Elspeth may have just blown their cover.

Arcane Rising is the first book of The Darkland Druids, a mystical Urban Fantasy series set in modern day Scotland. A woman with no living relatives travels from Australia to the other side of the world to find out the truth of who she is…only to land in the middle of a prophecy of destruction. Druids, Witches, Fae, and shapeshifters abound in this thrilling magical adventure!

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Fae, Fiction, Magic

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2020

About the author

Nicole R. Taylor is an Australian Urban Fantasy author.
She lives in the western suburbs of Melbourne dreaming up nail biting stories featuring bad-ass witches, duplicitous vampires, hunky shape shifters and devious monsters.
She likes chocolate, cat memes and video games.
When she’s not writing, she likes to think of what she’s writing next.


AVAILABLE SERIES:
The Witch Hunter Saga (Urban Fantasy) Series Complete!
The Crescent Witch Chronicles (Urban Fantasy) Series Complete!
The Arondight Codex (Urban Fantasy)

And more coming soon!


Find out more about Nicole and her books by visiting:
https://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com

Want to be notified about new releases? Sign up for the VIP newsletter and get occasional free books, bonus stories, and more:
https://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com/n...

Fancy some FREE Urban Fantasy books? Check out Nicole’s Free Reads:
http://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com/bo...

Reviews

[Hayley Woz · Rating 1 out of 5]

*after conversations with friends this has been changed to 1 star because 2 had no justification😂* Honestly barely finished this. The main character is whiny and filled with non-stop insecurities about herself that are just annoying, everything happens way to fast for it to be anything but dumb and the writing is not great. The story could have been good - the idea of it is anyway, which is why I’m giving it 2 stars instead of 1.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

EDIT: I have gone back and read a few of the other reviews and I’m really surprised at the ones that rated one or two stars… Everyone has different taste but I really love this book. The protagonist does start out a little whiny and insecure but part of what’s appealing is seeing how she grows in confidence and ability overtime.

This is an absolutely outstanding series that I am so glad I purchased! The characters are engaging, the protagonist develops as a strong female hero, each book has a complete story with an over arching story that ties them all together. The fantasy world that the author develops is a reflection of our own but with a hidden undercurrent of magic. As the story progresses they travel to new places and new lands and we meet even more outstanding characters. Even the characters that are only in the story arc for a short time are well-developed with depth and interest. I read a lot of fantasy and this book has kept me engaged from page 1.

[Leftonread · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hits the ground running. Even though this is a series, there is enough in this book to stand on its own but also wanting more.

[KateNZ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure I was going to finish this when I started because I was so frustrated by the writing, but the concept is inventive and there’s a good story underneath so that kept me going. The final few chapters were much stronger and there’s a good chance the next book will go somewhere interesting. Solid editing would have vastly improved the book - doing away with the typos, grammatical mistakes and some consistently wrong spellings. Editing would also have improved both dialogue (very awkward at times) and storytelling. The author has a great imagination and has introduced an interesting core cast of characters (though the minor characters need work) - plus the Edinburgh setting was good - but improved writing would show better respect for the story.

[Marie Valenzuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a fun, well written urban fantasy. Unfortunately, it's the first of a series so it's a good thing that I'm retired....

[Alayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this book 2 and a half stars if I could.The story was interesting, but the writing was terrible. It badly needed a proofreader. The first chapter talked about a "solider" and I finally worked out it was meant to be "soldier". The german shepherd dog was spelled "Shepard" (always with the capitals). There were too many to list. And the timeline was unbelievable - the heroine changed from being a timid and reserved person to a badass (and that reminds me the word "arse" was used constantly and unnecessarily) in just TWO WEEKS! The father thought he had taught her enough to be okay, but he hadn't told her anything! I wouldn't really recommend it.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mystery throughout!!!!!

This was my first book by Nicole Taylor and I am impressed. The story is well written with a few grammatical errors but not so much that it caused me to stop reading it. The plot was superb. I love how unique and intriguing the story is. There is a lot of drama and mystery throughout it. There is a lot action that pulls you in and keeps you glued to it. I really am curious as to what all Elspeth can do. She is a mystery all by herself. This was a fantastic story that is a definite must read.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY an Urban Fantasy that can keep up with my reading style. First and foremost Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Suspense have become my two newest and favorite genres. And the Darkland Druid series absolutely delivers. It delivers so very much in the first installment I already bought the four books in the series that were available. In this series starter we meet Elspeth, and 25 year old woman who just lost her father. She lost him while he was “fighting forest fires in Australia”; but is that what really happened. Elspeth begins to realize that she really now has no one in this world. There’s a stirring in her core and natural urge to visit her home country of Scotland. Here is where the very literal magic happens! She meets a foe named Owen, a friend named Rory, and a family member named Delilah. Now, I know that is the most vague description of a story ever, but I wouldn’t dare spoil this action packed gem for any reader. We are taken to a mythical land, we are taught about the origination of Fae and Druid, and we see danger. If that doesn’t sound exciting to you than you need to find a different genre. Also if you love learning scenery of real places we are given a really gorgeous tour of the British isles. It’s incredible how the story bounces from the reality we know to the fictitious one conjured in this novel! I already have started book two because of course book one left me on a total cliffhanger. I also really love when series starters end in a cliffhanger. Guys, don’t sit on what could be the most fun urban fantasy adventure you take all summer, trust me!

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her father passed, leaving her alone in the world, Elspeth travels from Australia to Scotland in hopes of learning more about her father and any other family she may have. Not long after she arrives and sets out to explore, Elspeth is accosted in a graveyard and nearly abducted by a dark creature masquerading as a human. She finds help from an unlikely ally, Rory Mackenzie, but Elspeth turns the tables and ends up saving Rory using magic she did not know she possessed. Rory tells her she is a Druid, the same as he is, and he takes her to the underground dwelling place of the Druids who are trapped on this plane and unable to return to their home. There, Rory begins teaching Elspeth how to control her powers, but not all is sunshine and roses. The other Druids view her with suspicion and hostility. Elspeth later learns it's because she is only half Druid. Her mother was a Fae, meaning she never should have existed.

This story was interesting and it held my attention. I think I would have preferred a slower build, however. Instead, the entire story was almost an info dump. Both Elspeth and the reader were bombarded by new revelations constantly. I also would have appreciated it more if she had gradually come into her powers, instead of shifting so quickly from 'I am an ordinary person' to 'I have ALL THE POWER!'

I would dearly love to give this 3 1/2 stars, as that's what it deserves in my opinion. Since halfsies aren't an option, I'll be kind and bump it up to a score of four.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

A little editing still needed but overall, a good story. After the death of her father, Elspeth finds herself traveling to Scottland from her homeland of Australia. Not sure why, but a calling to know more about her dad's birthplace and hopefully, learn more about herself. Barely there a day, and she is attacked twice. With the help of Rory, someone who happens to be there when she is, she begins to learn of all of the secrets her dad kept from her and the fantastical heritage to which she is born. Unprepared for the challenges this newfound knowledge brings, she'll have to learn to embrace her new powers before she accidentally destroys the world. No pressure, right?

Not knowing who to trust or if she can protect herself, she has a lot to learn and by the end of this first book, she does know she has more work to do.

Interesting start. Loved the cat. The two pals and new found grandmother were cool too.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elspeth Quarrie lost her dad during the Australian bushfires. He was an environmental scientist who had been trying to protect her from a fire elemental. Newly graduated from college, she feels adrift and decides to visit her birthplace in Scotland. As soon as she arrives she’s attacked by a strange man and rescued by another. Introducing himself as Rory, he tells her she’s one of small group of Druids. He says the man that attacked her is Dark Fae Chimera who wants her power. Still reeling in surprise, she is pulled into a magical, mysterious world forced to trust him to save her life.

I really cried for Elspeth toward the end. Why are people so cruel?

Footnote: 1) Calling their magic ‘color’ sounds really strange.

Fave scenes: the meaning of the Black Watch scarf, naming her cat, making flowers and Elspeth seeing her dad.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of the book opens with the fire fighter father in Australia. We have him out with his team fighting brush fires. Then it gets confusing. When he takes about "them" I think it is his team. Then he talks about "her", is she on the team? Then he talks about protecting her and the fire turns out to be a fire elemental who wants her/ his daughter. ????
This left me confused and didn't further the storyline. Once we get into the daughter's trip to Scotland, to investigate her heritage, we get a bit more clarity but the storytelling was a bit thin. Her resistance to assistance was a little annoying but I think the story grew. It is almost like a preview for at least the first half. I have hopes for the second book in the series but this one needed more. I liked the side character of Jamie and wished there was more of that.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. Nicole R. Taylor is an excellent author. This had the main ingredient of my favorite type of Fantasy; a young woman with a good soul who finds out she has powers. It’s also fun to look up real locations where the story took place. It helped me envision Elspeth’s surroundings by looking at pictures of The Royal Mile and the Princess Street Gardens, to name a couple. The character descriptions helped me to see the characters in my mind’s eye, and I could relate some of them to how people actually act. Then there’s the evil creatures. Out of the thousands of books I’ve read, I haven’t come across powers like these, or creatures like these. I very highly recommend this book. I just purchased the remainder of the series.

[Lakea · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the few books I have featuring Druids, I was hoping this would answer my question of why Druids and Fae don’t get along. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

It did, however, make me rethink ever visiting Edinburgh. All those hills and steps would most likely kill me. Maybe there is a pulley system?

As for the story, the first 80% was good! Ignis, Rory, and Jamie were my favorites. Every girl needs an Ignis in her corner.

The last 20% seemed choppy, rushed, twist turn-y, and a whole lot of What The Actual?? I don’t even know where I got lost. It felt like there were chunks missing, and was actually waiting for Els to wake up, the whole thing being a dream.

Apparently not? Or maybe so.
I don’t know.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is darker than the last story I read, but it has it's moments as well, similar to Pandora's box. If we learned nothing else from THAT story, we learned about HOPE. In this story, a girl looses her father to a forest fire, then finds out later she is not human when she travels to the UK to find out who her family was. The characters are vivid, the action sometimes frightening, and the plot is straightforward with lots and lots of surprises for the main character. The premise is a girl finding out exactly what she was and doing something about it. I definitely recommend this book to people with imagination.

[Louis Henke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arcane Rising (The Darkland Druids, #1) by Nicole R. Taylor grabbed my interest from the very beginning. It is a fast paced story that develops in several directions at once. It is fairly easy to tell who the "good guys" are as the story develops, but the "bad guys" are more elusive. The book's ending is not conclusive but leaves more than enough story development and unanswered questions for several more books in the series. I highly recommend Arcane Rising. I am really looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book-I thought the concept of Colors was an interesting take on a genetic magic systems, and I liked the multifaceted presentation of the situation in the story. The FMC is half human, half fae, but still has to decide what kind of fae she will be; she does not fit in with either magical community by default of her biology, and in this book the human side is prejudiced against her.
It was a quick read that felt almost more like a pilot episode of a tv series than a novel, but enjoyable!

[Dallass · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure how I feel about this.

I did like that it started in Australia, and I found Elspeth and her quest (?) to be interesting. However, Rory was a bit of a wet rag, and I wasn’t at all impressed by the other Druids in the Warren. They really were petty and vindictive.

So while I’m curious as to Elspeth’s choice at the end of the book, I’m not sure I’ll continue on.

2.5 stars ⭐️

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elsbethe Quarrie learns first hand what happens when secrets are kept. Her trip to Scotland is anything but ordinary. She learns she is half dark fae and half druid. Now she needs to figure out whether she wants to stay and fight for what is hers or run and hide for the rest of her life. Does she want to be the hunter or the hunted. Well written story, that touches on hatred, bigotry and racism. As well as people willing to lend a helping hand and teach what needs to be learned.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Elspeth’s father dies, she is left with no one. Her father shielded her from their nature and died before he could teach her. Oddly, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a poster of Scotland and plans a trip. She is in the dark about her parents’ heritage and will need to learn quickly if she is to survive. She doesn’t know who to trust, nor does the reader, which adds to the intrigue. This book will leave you eager to read the next one.

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After losing her dad, Elspeth is lost in life. Until an ad for a Scottish vacation makes her realize that's exactly what she needs. Though she's planned for a month long trip, finding out who she is deep down could take a lot longer. Especially when people keep trying to attack her, and a man is telling her that she's a druid.

Check out my full review here!

https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...

[Linda Rorex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elspeth Quarrie goes on a journey to discover her Scottish roots. She travels to Edinburgh, Scotland and meets Raurich “Rory” Mackenzie and saves them by using magical powers she didn’t know she had. Elspeth finds out she is Druid (a magical being with power to distort the fabric of nature). Druids are being hunted by the Chimera (dark Fae warriors). Elspeth and Rory go on a quest to find out about her powers and her heritage. I really enjoyed this paranormal urban fantasy novel.

[Macjest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another series where the main character finds out who and what she really is. Elspeth grows up lacking confidence and has been bullied more than a little. After her father dies, she goes to Scotland to see if she can learn more about him. That’s where she discovers her true heritage as a Druid. Very short book, it’s the first part in a series. There’s a lot of repetition that started to bug me, and I thought that the “magic” could have been developed more. Still, not bad for a freebie.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable action packed read, I loved it. Elspeth lives in a quite area of Australia with her father who is a volunteer fire fighter. When her father loses his life in a fire Elspeth is left all alone and on a whim decides to follow her heritage and go to Scotland to find out more about her family history. Once she gets there she finds out much more than she bargained for - a great series starter.

[Psyckers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elspeth goes to Scotland to find more about her unknown father and her family heritage. She find out more than she bargain for when she finds out about druids, which do not like her presence or her need to find out more about her father.
A great and interesting book that has enough in it to stand alone, yet it is intriguing that it is book one of a saga. Fantastic world building and character development, which does not impedes the pace of the action and flow of the story.

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

Lots of potential, but editor needs to improve. I passed several misshapen sentences. I think it's a pity that authors have been trending towards unfinished stories. I'm much prefer a book that can stand on its own as a complete story as well as lead into another instead of the way this book was written where it cuts off unfinished. I miss the writers of old.

[R Grisham-Whitehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad

The book has a lot of typos which are distracting. I think the writing is good but the plot needs some work. Magic that just happens without thinking or training is not exactly good fiction. I also don’t like the mean spirit of some characters, perhaps okay for YA, but adult fiction needs more nuance, less melodrama. Characters are well developed and interesting.

[Elizabeth Little · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, this had so much freaking potential, but fell so short. The storyline progression was just unbelievable. There is no way that in a span of two weeks (literally 14 days) someone can go from not even knowing magic existed to being able to being able to have a great grasp of her own. Not to mention the grammatical errors.

[Sharon Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I got this book this morning on Bookbub. I read it this evening. I couldn’t put it down. Now, I want to read more of her books. I think I’m in love. Two new authors in one day and a whole new group of paranormal books to read. Wow!

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choices to be made

What a world to be dropped into. What I like the most, was how age appropriate her reactions were. They are seemed 100 % on point. #2 is on the to be read list.