Cupid's Arrow

by Isabelle Merlin

It's been a while since 16-year-old Fleur Griffon has had one of the weird and scary dreams that used to plague her childhood. So she's really creeped out when she starts dreaming of being hunted through a dark forest by an unseen, sinister archer. But when her bookseller mother unexpectedly inherits the magnificent library of a famous French author, Fleur forgets all about her fears. Excitedly, mother and daughter travel to Bellerive Manor, near the ancient French town of Avallon, reputedly the last resting place of the "real" King Arthur. And it is there, in the magical green forest near Bellerive Manor, that Fleur meets a handsome, mysterious boy called Remy Gomert. It seems to be love at first sight, beautiful as a dream. But Fleur's nightmare is just about to begin.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult

346 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2009

About the author

The first stories Isabelle Merlin remembers are the traditional French fairytales told to her by her French grandmother. Later, she heard family stories, which proved to her that magic and romance and terror don't only appear in fairytales: like the romantic story of the beautiful ancestor who caught the eye of the Sun-King, Louis XIV; or the amazing story of the wily ancestor who went from being a poor peasant to a multi-millionaire; or the tragic story of the curse of madness and misfortune that pursued other ancestors; or the spooky story of the chain-rattling ghost that haunted the family home deep in the green countryside of France. It's no wonder that she grew up with a head full of stories and a burning desire to become a writer.
Isabelle lives in Australia with her family.

Reviews

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. I love the way the author has twisted in the stories of King Arthur and everything that goes with him so that it fits in well with the plot. I liked the twist at the end, as I wouldn've picked that person to have done it until it was really obvious. Nevertheless, a good read.

[Apoorva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle Merlin books are just awesome! She has a great way of mixing horror,mystery and romance
In thus book a smart Australian girl finds her soulmate in the weirdest way possible

[Maryanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read, mysterious, scary and romantic. Always love a story about premonitions and spooky foretelling dreams; this one has shades of King Arthur and a murder mystery too.

[DandelionDays · Rating 3 out of 5]

.....................................
this was a real trip

for what it's worth, I laughed a lot. I also yelled a lot. And I mainly 'wtf?!'ed. let me tell you. the wtferry levels are HIGH in this book. You don't know what's about to hit you.

I might come back to add more detailed comments, however I'm not going to leave without commenting on the writing style.

It was truly, truly bizarre. I was not quite sure what happened - what caused the writing to end up this way. it really took me out of the story as well, apparently some other people thought it 'flowed' - in which case that's great for you, but I'm shocked and confused as to how someone could have that takeaway - it was the opposite for me. And it's not an Australian thing or anything because that's where I'm based....... sooooo.

But you know what, it was SUCH a trip, that I'm heading over to see what other books she's written...... and MAYBE I'll read one. Who knows. It is definitely an ~ experience ~ from an entertainment perspective, but do not be mistaken, it's - critically speaking - kind of appalling on many levels.

all the best to the author and fellow readers

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this story based on the premise (a mystery around who the real King Arthur was, where he truly died, etc.), but all-in-all I found it pretty dreadful. It gets 2 stars for the concept and for a writing style that flowed well and was "readable." But the story ended up being pretty predictable and one-note. I didn't find any of the characters very compelling, and the romance between Fleur and Remy was ridiculously contrived (they were at soul-mate, passionate 'I Love Yous' within 2 hours of meeting each other). Ugh.

[Kay Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would.
There was something about Fleur that really bothered me. She seemed too obnoxious with her surroundings, if that makes sense.

It think it could have been the writing style as well.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally avoid mysteries, but this is the exception to the rule. Beautiful writing, and just when you think you have everything worked out it's turned upside down. And I like Fleur as a main character :-)

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cool book. There's romance and mystery all together. It was fun reading it. I wanted to know what would happen and who had done this and most of all I wanted to know how her and Remy were going to - as they say ''Happily Ever After''. I full-on recommend this book.

[Hannah Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, there were so many twists and turns and the ending was impossible (at least for me) to guess. Isabelle Merlin is a fantastic author and it's a shame her books never got more recognition.

[Lore · Rating 4 out of 5]

One fo the best mysteries I've ever read. It kep me guessing until the every last page.

[Mwansa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fabulous suspenseful exotic novel. I would read it again.

[Pri · Rating 4 out of 5]

None

[Tiffany]

I usually never quit a book and the story was o.k. I was just struggling too much getting into the book. I kept falling asleep reading the book.

[Tampines House]

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