Shade of bygone screams, Smite thy secret schemes. Sway ye watchful trees of Ancient, Wily roots bleed thee benevolent.
Whilst crimson drips thy crime, ‘Tis sought by thee divine. Age bends thee Archive’s time, Devoted guardians, pry, deny.
Yay oh, an old, vengeful Fae titters, contented.
When the Fae steal my daughter from our realm, I am not a happy man. The woodland sprite, Mamue, shouldn't have taken her. She shouldn't have tested me. Rest assured, she'll find out exactly what I am capable of.
But I need allies. Heading into Fairy alone is impossible. So I'll do what I need to. I'll beg. I'll lie. I'll threaten and cheat.
And I'll bring my daughter and her soul mate home. I just need to get to Fairy first...
My name is King Traevon Towers, King of Elves. I am not a nice man. I do the ugly work to get the job done. Don't be fooled by my polite disposition. I have fangs, and I will bite.
New York Times bestselling author and award-winner, Scarlett Dawn, is the mastermind behind the Forever Evermore fantasy series, the Origin paranormal dystopian stories, the Vampire Crown paranormal romance thrillers, the Mark science fantasy saga, and the Lion Security contemporary romance series.
She lives in the Midwest, adores her music loud, and demands her fries covered in melted cheese.
I'm sad that we didn't get Trixie and Athon in this book and wasn't as invested because of that.
And the next book in the series is a MM which means they'll be in the background again. After 4 books following their story and then this book and the end ... we're really going to just have them in the background and miss it all?! How does that make any sense?
I mean, seriously what the fuck is this about after so many books!
Let me preface this review by saying that this is a delightful read. The characters are funny and it was nice to get to know some of the more background characters from the previous books. I devoured this book--in less than two hours.
However, that brings me to the less positive bit of this review. This book felt very much like a filler book--I would have appreciated seeing more of Trixie and Athon. More importantly, though, this book was so, so short. It took Scarlett about a year to publish it from the date of the previous book in the series, and though all the books in the series are on the shorter side, this one was painfully short. In sum, the plot was a little lacking, and the book simply does not have enough meat on its bones.
I know Scarlett's had some personal issues going on for the last few years, but I simply cannot find it within myself to just write off the comparative failings of this book because of that. I've had my own share of personal struggles--like most other people in the world--and I have managed to meet every deadline and expectation and write and publish objectively good work (I work in academia) despite the fact that I have had an absolute dumpster fire of a year with regards to my health.
Overall, I liked Apples and Ashes--I've even recommended it to some friends already. However, it is possible to like (even love) something and know that it could have been better. Scarlett Dawn is an excellent writer--her other books are testament to that--but not every book can be a winner, and this one simply wasn't.
Probably not bad, however as soon as I noticed this one was about King Traevan and not about Trixie & Athon, I couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed and disinterested. I skipped everything but the last 10 pages. So much for waiting for a year for this one. Hopefully the next one will be back on track.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.5 stars. Lots of unhappy SD fans rating this book really low so I tried to rate this book as if the following factors were not present: 1. waited about 1 year for the this installment 2. it was super short at 132 pages :( 3. Not nearly enough Athon and Trixie but I knew this book would be more centered around Trixie's parents so I was in no rush to read it. 4. The cover errors still bother me (have you looked at their lower bodies? Weird positioning) 5. waiting another year for the next installment. Hey- if this is all SD can manage, I will take it since I have enjoyed Trixie and Athon so much. (not book 1 as much as the others in case I am being judged :)
At least the story moves forward. We now know a few crucial details about the Grandmother as well as the other King, Minnie's past and their secrets, Bishop and Caspian (more to come) and the fae that is setting this all up Ruuien (sp?) is a former mistress of the Fae King??
A trip to Fairyland is a sure way to speed things up.
Very much a filler book. Some backstory was given that answers questions from previous books in the series, but there was very little movement forward. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the backstory, but it was a whole lot of telling rather than showing.
Unfortunately, it looks like the next book in the series is another departure from the main story arc. Also, the progression of the story world is proving to be pretty predictable. When every side character starts coupling up, (even those who aren’t even born yet) it’s just lazy.
This felt very luckluster and just thrown together to appease the masses for the long wait that was never ending for quite some time... Only to end up with characters that aren't even the MCs. The premise of an upcoming MM romance isn't thrilling either, so not my cup of tea. If Trixie and Athon aren't taking centre stage, I don't want it 🤮
I don't know what to think of this book, it was kinda boring and even though it's a short book it also felt really long somehow? Maybe it's just the fact that I couldn't care less about King Traevon and Minnie.
This detour into other character's stories would have been more appreciated if it came at the end of the series as a spin-off or something. Okay sure, it partly made sense but the book could have also easily been written in the main characters' POV which is why I agree with other reviewers who say that Apples & Ashes felt like a filler book.
Also, the next book is, again, a book with side characters telling the story and tbh - I don't like it. Not when the main characters' story is still without an end and I as a reader am forced to read other secondary characters' POVs just to keep up with the actual plot of the main characters.
With the author branching out like this, who knows how long it will take to get back on track, i.e. to Trixie and Athon's story told from their POV - the reason I fell in love with this series.
That was an emotional roll coaster that I will probably reread again before the night is done ! For this book not to be based around the main characters of the trixie series but instead her father ,mother king Elon and king ula this was absolutely one of my top favorites so far !! So much was revealed and yet so many tantalizing tidbits placed through out this whole book we learn so much but also so little about the depths of these characters we saw as side characters and I can honestly I adore each and every one of them holy hell that was 5stars absolute perfection I can’t wait for the next book and to see what comes to pass !!!
Sadly the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.Having Trixie and Athon in the background of their own story wasn’t it.
I loved Trixie and Athon enough to give the mid-series POV shift the benefit of the doubt… But Treavon and Minnie just didn’t live up to the entertainment that Trixie and Athon provide.
I didn’t really care about Minnie and Traevon’s mating. Their connection seemed flat.
The only aspect I really enjoyed was the ribbing between Elon and Traevon.
This felt more like a filler read that could’ve been covered in a few lengthy chapters while still keeping Trixie and Athon at the forefront.
I wanted to experience the reveal of Trixie’s almost full-term pregnant state through Athon’s and Trixie’s eyes. I wanted to be shown and not told.
There was too much telling not enough showing in general.
After reading this instalment and knowing that the next instalment is also from a side characters POV means that I probably won’t carry on reading; which is a shame bc this series has potential when Trixie and Athon are front and center.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I finished Beasts and Baubles and could not wait to jump into this book. I wanted to love this book but it just felt flat. I have enjoyed King Traevon in all the other books and was excited to see that this book was from his perspective. The book itself was still a fun read and I finished it quickly enjoying parts of it.
The past and present character switches originally caught me off guard and I was not a fan of them. The interactions between all the characters was still as enjoyable in other books. Minnie is such a badass and I love seeing her as a royal/mother and a woman. She may be my new favorite character in the series and I hope we get to see more of her in the future. I want to see more of the Dragon King; he adds a different dynamic to the group.
Overall, this wasn't the worst book I have ever read but it wasn't up to the same standard as the first few books.
I loved loved LOVED this installment! Yes, like other reviews have stated, so very many questions were answered but other new ones took their place! My Trixie girl is a fighter and we learned in this amazingly action packed story how she not only got that strength from King Trevon but also Minnie and it was AMAZING to see her in action and learn about the King and Queens history. This story continues to twist and I turn and I can’t wait to see what happens next. One thing though, now that we are back in the proper realm, why didn’t things go back to how they are in THEIR world I wonder? 🤔 All in all, as always, this was a great installment that moved this story right along and allowed us to become more connected with some of our key players. I loved this, as I love anything Scarlett Dawn writes. You are guaranteed an enchanting book anytime you pick hers up. Already Uber eager to find out what’s next!
on its own merit, it’s a decent book, albeit extremely short to the point where i’d consider it a novella, but in context of the series it’s just a bunch of fluff that isn’t even focused on the main characters. and to make matters even worse, the next book is also going to be about other characters, when there is so much that has to be explored with Trixie and Athon.
Scarlet Dawn may be an amazing author but this feels like it was written with minimal effort on her part just to appease impatient fans
Trixie Towers book 5. Trixie and the Shifter King are kidnapped by some fae. So King Traevon (Trixi's dad) steps in to try and save his daughter and her mate. He gets help from King Elon, King Ula and his unrelenting soul mate. Past trauma, secrets and lies are revealed. Huge backstories and an emotional journey of major WTF. So twisty, angsty, gut wrenching and action packed. Loved every moment of this book. This series only gets more fascinating with each book.
This is a Trixie Tower universe book but the PoV is her father’s. I very much enjoyed the insights from having a different PoV and knowledge base. He is much older than Trixie so much more history and knowledge and it shows. The star of this show IMO is his wife, Minnie. She was awesome. The plot very much thickens with this book. As with other books, we go insights that change how you view the whole series. Great read!
I love this series so much and I'm glad we get a little background on King Traevon and Queen Minnie in this book. Some of the other rulers too. I wanted a little bit more about Minnie because she seems like she's such a colorful being that I know her story would be a great read!! Looking forward to the next book in the series so we can see how things progress for Trixie and Athon!!
I wish these books were longer, like a good 100 pages longer. I missed Trixie and King Anton in this book, but I will say this book made me love Traevon more. I honestly loved reading the backstory of him and Minnie. I do feel like we have a lot of information to unpack in this one. This is like the book you didn't know you needed. As always it was so entertaining these books never disappoint. I can't wait to read the next one.
This. book. was. amazing. I actually liked the go back and forth setting in this book, I feel that it helped to learn more about what's going on. It felt a little bit like a filler, but in the best of ways.
that being said, THE ENDING HAD ME IN TEARS. Because she actually could do it, we are talking about Scarlett here. I love (and hate :D) that I don't know what to expect.
This is one of my favourite series to read and reread, but this instalment felt like it could have been a bonus scene or a novella. I feel like we’ve missed some special moments between Trixie and King Athon. I was hoping to see the fiercely protective side come out. I’m sure we’ll still see it a little bit, but as the next book isn’t from their pov either, I’m almost disappointed already.
I waited a long time to read this because I knew how fast I was going to devour it. Reading from Traevon's POV really shows where Trixie gets most of her personality from. The part in the bathroom had me cackling. I'm so excited to read the next book and I can't wait for Trixie and King Anthons return.
While this was a short read, it was also packed with tons of information. I’m so glad we are getting more from this series and can not wait for more to come. I truly am invested in Trixie & King Athon’s outcome, along with all of their realms' fate.
Another great addition to this series. I liked how it was told from Trixie’s fathers pov. You get some good background into his past and who certain people really are. I can’t wait to read the next book!
This series has never disappointed! There is nothing better than reading a chapter that suddenly changes everything...and seemingly random facts or actions from previous books...all link to create a picture you never saw coming. The next book can't come soon enough!
Brilliant. I stopped reading multiple time laughing. I can't wait for the next instalment. Please start at book one though or the story won't make sense. Fantastic series.
Ashes and Apples, the fifth book of the Trixie Towers series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). This short story, told through King Traevon's PoV, has the same humor and fast-paced dialogue readers have come to expect from this author. A fun story line.
This was exactly what I needed to read. It was nice to get some answers as to Trixie's grandmother and have a glimpse into King Traevon's relationship with Minnie.
I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to get a new perspective from King Traevon. The butterfly scene had me cracking up laughing. I cant wait to read more of this storyline, and see what happens with King Athon and Princess Trixie!