My name is Tamsin Vale and I’m the only living heir to all of Faerie. I want to do what’s right and use that position to help my people, but too many treat me as if I belong to them and that world.
And I cannot live my life that way.
Nor can I keep pretending all my relationships are okay. Three are great, but it’s time to let one go and stop forcing myself to accept so much.
The warlock and vampire elders are gone, arrested, for their crimes. People are upset how we’re handling so much or getting involved in “their” world. Funny, because all I heard when we were in hiding is people wished fairies would come back.
I don’t have the time to focus on the complaints of others. I have too many of my own. The fairy elders and ancients are getting worse now that we’re out. At least people are finally hearing me that they are just as corrupt as the other councils were. The pushback is hard to deal with, but I refuse to let history repeat itself.
I won’t. Nobody believes me that I’ll walk, but I will to save myself.
Erin is a born Chicagoan who decided to state hop a bit, given she works from home. She currently resides in Georgia with her pup, Lord Vader Flynn. With an eclectic and addictive personality, there isn’t much that doesn’t interest her or she won’t pour herself into if it catches her fancy. She has always been interested in the darker aspects of life and mythologies—especially vampires, shifters, the occult, and anything paranormal.
To date, she has published more paranormal books than she can keep up with the characters for, in different genres with dedicated readers who await each release to her numerous series under any of the three Flynn names she writes.
I'm so angry that I can spit! Seriously Tamsin just got Craftsman back to a great place and of course the author thinks hey let's pick on him again in almost the same way she did before, like Seriously? Pick on the savant and leave perfect Darby alone? Or end it with his mom having cast a spell on him to be doing this. But no Craftsman who is her mate, went through hell to get her back does the exact same thing again? Get original for goodness sakes or you'll lose readers. Most of the rest of the book was good. I liked the Lucca resolution but don't understand how they can bypass him going feral but the bond can be left to dissolve, why wouldn't so many do that instead? Do they really go feral? Or is it a bunch of bologna made up for book filler? Hudson's family sure feared him going feral, why not distance and let bond dissolve instead of the whole River will go nuts? I am going to say that Naylor has done alot of redeeming and I hope he gets to be her fairy mate. Him going to college with her was a good thing to add to the book. His attitude changes are making him worthy. So Erin if you're reading my review, knock off with the Craftsman debacle, you can make things difficult for his transition but stop recycling a painful part of earlier books!
This one was choppy and hard to get through. There's just so much going on and everything with Julian was so dang heartbreaking that I'm hoping they cut their losses. She gives so many second chances. Also confusing because the first half of the book they were fine, then out of nowhere just back to his old ways. Boy, bye.
3.5 stars I still like this series, now after Mel, Izzy gets less and less page time. Don't like that. Also her relationships are not stable. Two are set. Two others are ups and downs...
Okay, yes I'm still a big Tamsin Vale, fan but it must be said that I'm so sick of this on again off again with Julian and this stupid show she has going with Lucca, and his ignorant ass father is getting on my last nerve. I need you Erin R. Flynn, to wrap this crap-fest up and tie up Tamsin's relationships in a nice big bow, and move along to something different now... This MFC is going through so much I'm surprised she hasn't off herself!! And now she has men problems again.. This is getting boring Erin!
With that being said I wanna give the author her props with the direction she's taking with other areas of this storyline. But I still don't trust Neldor, and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop! Also, I hated how the author ended this book.. Like really Erin? WTH!!!
Okay, I'm done with my soapbox issues.. I said what I said, so bye for now.. Sitting here waiting for the next book!
This is the 12th book in a continuing series that definitely requires reading the previous books to understand. There is a cliffhanger.
In the aftermath of the fairies return being revealed, there are many decisions for Tamsin to make. Tamsin has to decide how to make progress in bringing the two factions of fairies together to stop the constant wars. She needs to handle the elders and ancient ‘advisors’ in a way that won’t tear her society apart. She also has a huge list of evil people that she can now legally deal with as the Light Fairy Heir.
Still not at 100% after getting her wings, Tamsin has to accept protections she never would normally and she is learning to let go of some of the tight grips of control on everything she has always maintained. She has too much to do and finally has people to help, if she lets them.
As always, Tamsin’s love life is a mixture of good and bad. Some of her men are wonderful, some, not so much. It seems the constant pressure of being Tamsin’s lover/mate is not conducive to happiness.
This book was a great leap forward in the plot as lots of strands of storyline from previous books came together as the the fairies returned. The consequences of the actions taken by the supernatural elites are finally revealed and most are stunned that they are finally being called to task.
I liked that in this book we get to see more of the way fairies lived inside fairy. Tamsin gets taken on a tour and we have a lot of ordinary life explained to us via Tamsin. It’s great world-building and I enjoyed it a lot. We also got to see that bringing together the two factions might be easier for those who didn’t hold a lot of power under the old system.
As always there are massive highs and lows in Tamsin’s emotional state. She gets support from unexpected quarters and she gets none from some that she relies on. Even Neldor seems to be acting supportive, despite her suspicions of him when he’s being nice. However, I wouldn’t be Queen of Fairy if you paid me!
Being a big fan....I have to say this has just gone off the rails
I have read many series that have more books it them than the Artemis University. However this is the worst book in the series yet. The storyline is not cohesive, there is no continuity, the story jumps mid sentence from one topic to the next in a chaoic frenzy that is so hard to read let alone understand and follow. Before this goes any further, this book should be rewritten and fleshed out so you can actually understand and follow the plot. The relationships that the FMC has is just a dead horse. How many times are we going to hear the same crap in a loop about someone treating a mate like crap over and over again. There comes a point where the entire story is just a rinse and repeat of things nd nothing new is really happening. No progression and I honestly don't think the author knows how to end the story so is just dragging it out endlessly. Stop beating a dead horse. Will not buy any further books until there is some serious action towards cleaning this up, reducing the redundancy and move forward to ANY CONCLUSION at this point.
JULIAN CRAFTMAN IS AN IDIOT! Iliked him at the start of this series but the more I saw of him the less I liked him. Honestly can't stand him at this point and think our little fairy deserves better. Despite the bond she needs to wise up and let him go for good. That man will never change.
NELDOR is growing on me ngl. The more I see the more I understand that he was just scared and incapable of showing that when we first met him. This guy is truely trying to make amends even if he is inviting himself along to dates and such that he shouldn't be. I think he just needed someone who he could say was truely a friend and not just there for what his position could offer.
DARBY and HUDSON are as cute as ever and always by there for Tamsin in their own respective ways.
LUCCA I do but don't feel bad for. I'm hapoy he finally can see that his behaviour was toxic and he is trying to make amends but honestly I have reservations about them and whether he can truely fix up. I half hope he can but also feel Tamsin deserves more.
This series deals with so many common issues of the world from sexism to manipulation to pure corruption. I love the way Erin thinks these plots through and how to smartly correct them. Although I am kind of upset that we didn't see more of Mel after everything went down a few books ago, I thought their relationship was stronger than that and Erin hasn't done that story justice, on the other hand I can see where that may be a bit much to juggle with all the fairy busines and Lucca... Feel like a little more of girl friendships from the start of the series is needed.
Soooooooo tired of Julian Craftsman drama debacle.... just yuck, total stupidity. I hope he loses her totally. He is the dumbest savant ive ever seen. Gosh, grow up already. I almost gave up reading the entire book due to my Julian annoyance. I like Neldor 1000% more than Julian. Glad she finally held him accountable for his immaturity, Neldor can take his place. Wouldn't he have mended this lesson already..... so unbelievable to repeat his asinine mistakes AGAIN.
Honestly I just feel like I am being held captive by the fact I invested so much time into this series (I am 12 books in) so I keep picking them up when they come out, but the story has completely stalled. We are going in circles. Repeating the issues with the harem. Repeating all the same societal issues. Continuing to be extremely preachy and having no results.
Really she’s fighting with Julian again? On top of that there was a distinct lack of forward movement in this book with anything, relationships, faerie, heck we had a big trial and jailed all the craftsmans but it felt like nothing happened.
Most annoying of all though is the author constellation couldn’t take time to finish a sentence and instead added a dash to connect two thoughts, it was so tiring to read such disjointed phrases.
I read these books because they are quick reads but every time a new one comes out lately I regret that I bothered.
Yea, I gotta say, I agree with other reviews on the Craftsman relationship. Been there, done that. If there are going to be 14 more books…get the relationships going already. Give them depth. Relationships are work, ups & downs, but truly the whole Craftsman thing AGAIN just seems done as does his mom. What I would like to see instead of read about over and over and over is:
• More Izzy with a great relationship starting for her • A reconciliation with Mel - it’s time • Yes, Neldor & Tamsin seem to be headed toward romance - it is inevitable • STOP with her guys gaslighting Tamsin, blaming her, bringing up old resolved relationship ills. UGH do better! • It is time for Tamsin to STOP being so weak, my goddess, we are 12 books in now, find your damn power & clap if you believe already! • Tamsin needs to believe in herself & LOVE herself. IT IS TIME ERIN.
Spoiler alerts. I love this series and most of the characters but this book had me mad and sad at same time. Please stop messing with tams and Julian my poor heart cant take it not again. Love tams and Hudson but kinda irks me how tams constantly feels he is gonna take luccas side over hers like they are separate relationships not relying on each other but like I fell she just wants him to fully abandon lucca and thats not fair. I love how neldor is redeeming himself. But i fell these are all the same relationship problems that happened in other book id your gonna make them have problems can we at least change it up not the same exact things over. Especially with darby feeding from her like weve already done and dealt with and got past like i fell she is just trying to push all her guys away.
I used to wait with bated breath for the next book. Now I'm struggling to not give up completely. Tamsin has become a victim of herself. I don't know how many times she says she doesn't like the drama and wants it all to end. But she is the cause of 99 percent of the drama in her life. Everyone is expected to cow to her, and if they don't she throws a fit and rants for page at a time. I am all for a strong woman, and not letting a partner abuse you mentally or physically, that goes both ways... Tamsin is just as emotionally abusive. The series becoming a cluster of reciprocal toxicity. I miss the joy I had in the beginning of the series. Bring back some happiness. It's all turmoil and depressing.
Very generously giving this 4 stars. So much goes on in this book, a whole lot of positive stuff in approximately the first 3/4’s of the book that is really great for Fairie, fairies, Tamsin, & the paranormal world, that it’s blindsiding to get to the last 1/4 of the book & see poor Tamsin take such a huge emotional hit & by one of her 3 guys she thought wouldn’t pull anything stupid again! I’m trying not to give it away or anything, but let’s just say I would have gladly seen that guy (& his mother) dead, not caring how it happens, but dead none the less! I don’t see any coming back for him from that, she’d be stupid to risk her heart, she’s taken to many hits to her well being by him already I believe 7 incidents that he’s pulled I’m not sure I would be ok for Tams to even take him back no matter the reason at this point, it might just make me quit the series. The last 1/4 of this book was so rough for me, that I couldn’t bring myself to re-read this book right now (let alone purchase it since I read it on KindleUnlimited & I usually purchase after I read on KindleUnlimited). I may not be able to until after book 13 comes out to see where this is going at this point.
*Weeks after reading this book, I can’t bring myself to re-read this one- at all. The books in the series were fantastic, gripping, can’t put it down books, no matter how many times I re-read them, but this one did me in. Not sure I’ll ever be able to re-read this one.
I officially hate Julian. He is emotionally abusive, and obnoxious, and heart-breakingly cruel. I hate him. My heart was in my throat the whole last half because I couldn’t believe we were going through this again with him. Seriously near tears at the end there 🥺 what kind of asshat puts her through all of what he did the first time round, loses his shit when he realizes he’s losing her and that he can’t live without her, and then does it again? An abusive, manipulative bastard, that’s who.
Honestly the worst part is not knowing when the next book will be out though 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was absolutely fantastic! These books get better and better. I am so glad to see so much progress or development in relationships and the building of her world. But my heart is breaking and I need to know what is going to happen!!!
Why do I love these books so? WHY??? I stalk this author's page, waiting. The books come out like shadows in the night, appearing every other new moon. Witchcraft, I tell you. I lose a night of sleep every time one appears. This one is good, I think the story is wrapping up soon. *sob*
Please note the following review encompasses books 7 through 12 of the SERIES. As each book depends on the prior books, I am not reviewing each individually to cut down on repetition. Following this review, I will be reviewing the series in batches of 5, with a final end review of the series as a whole.
As always, I will endeavor to minimize spoilers, but please read at your own risk.
OH.MY.GODDESS.
I am practically speechless right now. I just closed my Kindle on that wicked relationship cliffhanger at the end of book 7, and my better half (at least according to him) is laughing at me for looking like a fish with my mouth opening and closing. (He's a real peach 🍑, 😆)
So far, I can honestly say that I have never read anything like Artemis University before. It is one of a kind, which honestly makes me a little sad, because it is so freakin amazing. It is nonstop. Full out. Action, coming of age, romantic relationship drama, friendship makers and breakers, enemies to lovers, heiress to the empire ... I could go on except I can't find the words. This series has everything you could want. Hot and steamy. Warm and domestic. Plus some swashbuckling and tight pants. It is almost the Princess Bride of romance series.
Well, if Buttercup was really a Fairy, and there were multiple Wesleys, some of whom are quite dark on the morally gray scale. The R.O.U.S.'s easily could translate to the assorted corrupt elders and councils, provided they could survive and even thrive away from the Fire Swamp ....
I am getting way off track. Anywho, there is a metric frakton that happens in these 5 books, but I am not going into details. No spoilers, remember? Just trust me. Have someone hold your beer and download the first book. It feels like a crazy leap, but you will love every moment of learning to fly.
However, before I go, I do want to add a content warning of sorts because mental health matters. Contained in the story so far, you will find past trauma (physically, emotionally, and smexually.) There are forced abductions, bullying outside of the harem, references to ongoing trafficking, violence, attempted forced mating and SA, intimate partner abuse, family disconnect and related trauma from both sides, and discussion of forced breeding. Please know your limits and read responsibly.
We finally made some progress with the fairies and that was awesome glad that cleared up a bit for her and sorted itself out to maybe hopefully not be the same pain in the ass it was with the Elders and Ancients.
On the relationship front, Julian is an asshole. I don't know why she would even stay with him. I loved Hudson and her relationship in this book and think it sucks that she was willing to go out public with Julian but not Hudson. Like the one person who actually hasn't been super shitty with you and has had her back since the beginning. Hudson and Tams issues could have easily been resolved if they just talked and communicated with each other better at the start of the series. Both of them. I am enjoying that she has that one solid relationship to lean back into. Because boy do the other men in her life suck.
Slowly tired of Darby and Julian and Lucca. Hopefully Lucca will just be friends again and nothing more. Darby is kind of a passive aggressive asshole. I don't really like him either and I don't see why so many like him. He just seems to like some parts of Tams and then just tolerates other parts (like her being a comitissa). Like I get he gets to say when he doesnt like a potential suiter but to just say no and then expect that you should be followed because you are one of her suitors just comes off super manipulative to me. Like you knew she was a comitissa so why give her such passive aggressive shit when another potential suitor comes along. Because she has made it clear multiple times how she feels about him. It just seems shitty that they constantly worry about her running off and bring that up all the time and use it like a knife to stab her with over and over to get her to do what they want with the relationship. The same with her being a Comitissa. Idk it makes me kind of sick at how badly she is treated by her supposed mates and bf who constantly say they love her. And she goes out of her way to make sure they feel respected and they just abuse her and walk all over her for it.
I also like that Neldor isn't such an ass anymore and we are seeing more depth to him. Honestly, I am on his team now more than Julian, Darby, and Lucca. He treated her like shit but at least he didn't say he was in love / loved her while doing it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
My Thoughts This was a pretty great read - one of the better ones of the last several. Hudson has a much bigger role than before and it's glorious. There's progress on the justice front, which brought much needed closure. We also finally get some direction regarding Lucca.
About the Characters Tamsin is fun, smart, understanding, sensitive, and she learns from her mistakes. Hudson is the best. He's sexy, supportive, sweet, and fun. Darby is all those things too with some nerdiness thrown in. Craftsman...at this point he just makes me sad. Lucca isn't a bad guy, and he wants to do the right thing. He just needs to get it together. Neldor is turning into not so bad a guy himself.
Things I Liked I love absolutely everything that happens with Hudson in this book. There are so many things, but spoilers and all - just everything.
Thing I Didn't Like The trials were rough and a bit slow. Also, I love Craftsman, but he's on my last nerve.
More Thoughts I enjoyed this book immensely, however [or maybe including the fact that] it left me a ruined mess of emotions. The ending is just so heartbreaking all over again.
Does it standalone? Absolutely not. This isn't just about knowing the relationships or the state of affairs, but there are specific references to many past events that would leave a new-to-the-series reader lost.
Bottom Line This was a fun, loveable read that ultimately left me begging for more.
So…. This is my issue with this author: the first book in a series is always fantastic. Great characters, interesting plot, cool supernatural world building, and humorous dialogue.
Then, the series stretches on too long. The plot stops advancing in favor of the main characters preaching, usually about the same issues over and over. As a reader I don’t like being treated like I’m so stupid I need to read the same speech 8 or more times in every new book.
The romances are always so drama filled - worse than real life middle schoolers! The me. Are always stupid, cruel, or dismissive and sometimes they are perfect but still get frozen out by an overly sensitive FMC.
And the plot still doesn’t advance, but the relationships still suffer to the point I want them to just break up forever, and the speeches still get preached. “Just because I have boobs” is used over and over to start speeches about equal rights, for instance.
And it’s now exhausting to read, but I keep going because one day the plot will start moving, right?
Please tell me I’m right? Because for some reason I’m gonna start the next book anyway…
(I’ve noticed the above in all four of the series I have read by this author: preaching, drama, and annoying mates.)
I've binged this whole series so far in a week and I don't know if I can take anymore. Why put the readers through the investment of watching her mates, especially Julian, work so hard to fix their bad behavior and grow into a stronger relationship just to have them make the same mistakes all over again. And, if it's not him making the same mistake all over again and something hinky is going on (which I'm honestly hoping for because I've invested too much in this relationship as a reader to just have to flush it all away), why for the love of all that is holy can't the MFC realize something is wrong with the situation? I know that there is supposed to be a lot more books in this series, but why can't she get the relationships strong and have the drama come from things happening outside of her relationships with her mates. I'm ready to start seeing some books with all of the mates being a strong united front against the world. This book still feels like she's going it alone. After years in this timeline, I thought she'd be in a more firm place with her lovers.
I have really enjoyed this series from the beginning but I have to say this one felt like it didn't really move the story along, just cleaned up a few plots. 12 books in I really feel like it should be coming together to ramp up to a big battle or ending but instead we are getting the same angst with Craftsman again. I was so happy they had settled and most of her mates were settling into a great relationship, but nope here we are again. My last negative point is the writing style needs to be slightly edited and refined because points are not clearly displayed on the page, it's like the characters are having a conversation in their heads but not letting the reader in so you don't know how they arrived at what they are talking about. I often find myself rereading passages to see if I missed it but it just isn't clear. Having said that I love the characters and this world Erin has created. I have read many of her books but I just hope this series isn't dragged on too long because I want to see Tamsin get her happiness!
I love this series! Don't let it end, please. At least not too soon. Let's see, where to start. I really thought this would be either the last or the next to last book about Tamsin. I am so glad it isn't. The one thing I don't really understand is why Julian acts so out of character. Tamsin does, what Tamsin does. So it's not like he should be surprised by how things are with her. I thought he'd be in her corner and give her the support she desperately needs right now. Instead he's letting pressure get to him. He made her a promise to be with and think of her during difficult situations. Instead he's defaulting to his normal unsupportive, judgemental self. I'm pretty sure he loves her, but it seems to be a toxic love. I'm not sure she should save this relationship. I also think Neldor is stepping up to the plate. Maybe, just maybe he can step into Julians' shoes.
I have loved reading this series! So sad it’s not finished yet because I totally can’t wait for Tamsin’s full happily ever after. Most of the time when a series is longer than 4 or 5 books I lose interest because I feel like it’s too much of the same stuff dragging the series out. That feeling didn’t hit me at all until about book 10 and then it was short lived. I love Tamsin and the journey we get to take with her throughout this. Her growth and friendships, and her clarity in viewing the world around her make this story amazing. I felt the intro to book 18 was really confusing. I had to go back and double check that I hadn’t skipped a book. There’s a bit of minor editing that would really make the reading so much better. Missing words and improper (or no) use of commas were the biggest culprits, but it was still worth reading. As much as I loved it this book isn’t for everyone. There’s plenty of language, sex, and some violence that would be disturbing to some.
With Tamsin out, she and the Fairies are taking some massive wins in this book. Making changes for the better, such as the Guardians, dealing with the ancients and the trials of Elderman family. The last leads to a lot of strain between Tamsin and Julian, making me doubt they can survive this big a hit. She is willing to fight, but Julian is acting quite out of character. Neldor on the other hand is growing on me. Being supportive and complimenting Tams, though also inserting himself in her private time. Hudson is my champion this book, because he is showing such growth. Their relation is very solid and beautiful. Darby was confronted with his issue, but dealt with it like an adult, so yeah he still wins boyfriend points.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was super excited to read this as after reading 11 I felt the author had found her groove again however for the first 50/60% I was disappointed, it was back to sentences that didn't make sense, over explaining and so many hyphenated sentences that it destroyed the flow of the book. Once I got into the last 40% the book seemed to shift and flowed so much better. I love Tamsin and the faeries and the whole premise of the series. I was majorly disappointed with the ending, I thought the majority of the boyfriend drama was done and for it to go back down the same route is boring. It's been done so why do it again, if it's about testing their relationship then there are other ways that can be done.
As things had settled (a bit) between Tamsine and her guys in previous books, everything went wrong once again with one of them. No, not with Lucas. The guy is totally out for me and, in my opinion, she shouldn't anymore give a s**t about him🙄😡 Then Tamsine took finally some drastic measures against the elders faes and planned a new beginning for Faery. I found her plans quite clever and promising. Neldor was still becoming more and more friendly and supportive😊 I found the same pattern in this book as others: trouble in romantic relationships, fighting misogynist and corrupted guys, stuffing faces, problem at school, etc. 😕 This pattern had nothing original and for a 12th volume I was expecting a bit more...