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Broken Dove (Fantasyland, #4)

Kristen Ashley

Start date: June 27, 2022

Finish date: July 1, 2022

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Mar 10, 2015 Suzanne rated it really liked it

Loved this forth story in Kristen Ashley's Fantasyland series!

Ilsa Ulfr has been on the run for years from her abusive husband Pol. The Apollo Ulfr of her world is an asshole drug lord while the Apollo Ulfr (Lo) of the parallel universe is a loving, grieving father who's in charge of battle strategy for the Queen.

Ilsa looks identical to the love of Lo’s life, his wife Ilsa who died several years ago. He is a widowed father of two. He brought the Ilsa of the other world to his world, but now he ...more

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Nov 08, 2017 Marion rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, hot-kinky-shelf, favorite-comfort-read, fantasy, m-f-book, series-to-finish, diversity, read-in-2017

4.5 Stars!!

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Dec 16, 2013 .chel. rated it really liked it

Shelves: sequential-series, ka-love

❤ This series

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Jan 02, 2014 Ivy Deluca rated it really liked it

Shelves: second-chance-romances, ka-books

The Premise
The fourth book in Ms. Ashley’s Fantasyland series, focuses on Ilsa Ulfr, who has suffered greatly by the hand of her abusive husband, Apollo “Pol” Ulfr, and has been on the run for years. Just as he tracks her down and seems ready to do away with her, Apollo Ulfr from a parallel universe pops into her world and whisks her away to a strange place that seems familiar yet fantastical.

Apollo Ulfr, of the House of Ulfr, has mourned his wife, Ilsa, for four years. When he discovers that e The Premise
The fourth book in Ms. Ashley’s Fantasyland series, focuses on Ilsa Ulfr, who has suffered greatly by the hand of her abusive husband, Apollo “Pol” Ulfr, and has been on the run for years. Just as he tracks her down and seems ready to do away with her, Apollo Ulfr from a parallel universe pops into her world and whisks her away to a strange place that seems familiar yet fantastical.

Apollo Ulfr, of the House of Ulfr, has mourned his wife, Ilsa, for four years. When he discovers that everyone has a “twin” in another universe, he tasks the witch Valentine, to bring his wife’s doppelganger, to his world. But what he finds is a woman who may look just like his wife, but the broken Ilsa nothing like his beloved, and further, wants nothing to do with her.

My Thoughts
I’ve been a big fan of Ms. Ashley’s books and I have gladly devoured her entire backlist. Lately though, some of her new books weren’t up to her usual standard and have been a bit...generic, for me. While I enjoy her particular formula, there has been an emphasis on the formula and less on the individual characters and what makes them tick...the very things that drew me to her in the first place.

However, while Broken Dove isn’t perfect - there is some stilted dialogue, and some of the descriptive passages can go on a while longer than I’d like - it is a step in the right direction. Ms. Ashley’s strength has always been a “stream of consciousness” type of writing that pulls you right into the character’s mind and evoking intense emotions. The chemistry is strong between the MCs and the love scenes are fantastic.

In this book, Apollo and Ilsa (renamed Maddie in honor of her new life), you get a great glimpse into Maddie and Appollo’s minds - both have had vastly different experiences with their spouses, and Ilsa in particular definitely suffers from battered woman syndrome. During moments when her behavior was frustrating, at least it felt true to character, and completely in line with the life she led before she met the Fantasyland version of Apollo. Apollo is a good alpha hero who, while he makes some questionable verbal choices regarding Maddie, is trying to do right for his kids, which is always appealing. Seeing the other MCs from previous books was fun, and yet they didn’t overtake the action. That said, I think that it’s a book best read in order. It would affect the enjoyment of the book, since an ongoing plotline comes to a conclusion in this entry and without the buildup, it loses some of its emotional punch.

The Bottom Line
I was concerned going in, but I absolutely enjoyed this latest installment in the Fantasyland series, and I look forward to reading the next adventure - Noc seems like a character with great potential. ...more

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Dec 30, 2013 Irenejosie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, tear-jerkers, i-love-my-heroes, love-during-war, agreeable-heroines, best-proposals, best-besties, fighter-heroes, rich-heroes, titled-heroes

I just have to say that every new KA book I've read was always worth the wait. Broken Dove was no exception. Though it should also be said that I'm not asking Kristen Ashley to make us wait. Oh, no. We need new KA goodness, like, constantly.

I know I always use the word "amazing" and the phrase "I loved it" to describe the books I've finished, and yes, those words fit what I feel for Broken Dove, too. They might even be understatements.

Now, I loved Lahn. Lahn would always be near the top of my fa I just have to say that every new KA book I've read was always worth the wait. Broken Dove was no exception. Though it should also be said that I'm not asking Kristen Ashley to make us wait. Oh, no. We need new KA goodness, like, constantly.

I know I always use the word "amazing" and the phrase "I loved it" to describe the books I've finished, and yes, those words fit what I feel for Broken Dove, too. They might even be understatements.

Now, I loved Lahn. Lahn would always be near the top of my favorite heroes list, if not my number one. But it should also be said that Apollo has his own brand of hotness, and dear God, he was scorching! Damn Adela tea. Apollo may be cruel with his words at times, but heck, I'm not looking for Mr. Perfect. Apollo redeemed himself, and when he did, he did it well (another vast understatement here).

Maddie (or Ilsa) was also a wonderful heroine. After all that she's been through, she wasn't bitter. She may have been broken but she wasn't irreparable. I've always liked survivor heroines who are not angsty; I like survivor heroines who retain their sweetness even after all of the bad things that were thrown their way. Maddie was just that.

I also liked the fact that she was given a different name. Imagine Apollo making love to her and calling her by his dead wife's name. Uh. No! And by thus embracing the name Maddie, she didn't seem to be just a shadow of the deceased Ilsa. And the nicknames! Dove! Poppy! Oh, God, I wanted to be Poppy!

In Broken Dove, we were also given a longer story just like other KA books before. I loved the fact that we were given the opportunity to experience the parallel universe for more than just a few hours. In my case, I endeavored to finish the book in two days. No, I did not accomplish that. I read it in one day, no matter the attempts I've made to stretch the book. But it'll do.

We also got to spend time with the others here; namely, Frey and Finnie, Lahn and Circe, and Tor and Cora. I just have to admit to the fact that the other reason I was so excited about Broken Dove was that I so wanted to read about Lahn again. Oh, yeah, I did. Could you blame me? Lahn was, as always, certifiably HOT!

The climax of the book was also marvelous! Good vs. evil and we know which side always prevails. Magic, elves, guns, dragons, a vengeful woman, and swords. Now, that was action!

It was awesome reading about Noc again, too, and contributing to bringing down the bad guys. Now. that's another guy I would love to read about again. I just hope his book would not be too far away.

I would also like to agree to Apollo in saying that I never would have thought there would come a time I'd feel sorry for Franka Drakkar. I almost cried for her. Imagine!

With all the emotional upheavals I've had while reading this book, I really enjoyed it. Best year-ender experience ever! Now, the best year-opener news for me would be the release date of The Burg's Frankie and Benny. ;P Yeah! I'm hinting here!

Oh! And, yeah, it would also just had to be said that when I grow up, I wanna be Valentine. She. Kicks. Ass! ...more

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Mar 11, 2014 Anna **Lost in Ventureland ☁ ღ˘‿˘ற☁ ** rated it liked it

★★ 1/2
Ahhh I'm kinda upset with this installment of the series. Maddie's story did NOT seem special, like at all, in fact it was kinda flat!!
The three women before her had their own special unique story, idk if it cause it was predicted that they would be coming but they got to be royalty with powers/ grace/ elve magic in their blood and they didn't really have a bad life before crossing over to the parallel universe.
Maddie on the other hand was living an abusive life with NOBODY to turn to a ...more

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Mar 10, 2017 Joyce rated it it was amazing

Shelves: alpha-male, magic, romance, fantasy, hea, interracial, billionaire

Another delightful read in this fantastical series by KA! Looking forward to the final installment.

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Dec 29, 2013 Trisha rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-books

I finished Broken Dove last night and I loved it! It was a 5 star book for me.

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Apr 10, 2014 Miss Adeo rated it it was ok

This was so annoying to read. Reached a point where there were just too many 'other world twins' popping up and disappearing. I got very bored/confused after a while and the last 20% was just a muddle. Didn't enjoy this as much as the others in the series at ALL. Because I didn't enjoy the relationship/the storyline so much here it really highlighted some other things I usually let slide.. There are quite a few annoying things that KA needs to mix up for her future books because this stuff is su This was so annoying to read. Reached a point where there were just too many 'other world twins' popping up and disappearing. I got very bored/confused after a while and the last 20% was just a muddle. Didn't enjoy this as much as the others in the series at ALL. Because I didn't enjoy the relationship/the storyline so much here it really highlighted some other things I usually let slide.. There are quite a few annoying things that KA needs to mix up for her future books because this stuff is suuuuper repetitive. The whole fantasyland series to me was better because the 'other world' characters had to be different than her normal ones. The cultural difference in the heroes meant that they couldn't all just be macho men that for some reason refused to say words ending in 'g'. goin' darlin' havin'. None of them!

I've already given up on her contemporary books but I had hope for this series. For me to have a prayer of enjoying the next book about Noc she needs to:

1) Stop with the repeated phrases in every serious conversation. 'You love me?' 'You love me?' 'You LOVE me??'
Cammon lady we get it he said he loves you!

2) Starting random chapters mid sex scene
Literally mid thrust. It's confusing and it's only hot to read the first time. They have a healthy sex life? That's fab. But after seeing this in EVERY book at least FIFTEEN times, it doesn't have the same effect anymore. it just makes me roll my eyes

3) Somehow having a conversation that lets all the other characters know about said 'healthy sex life'
This is usually hidden in a conversation with an ex, or maybe just the h/H having extremely loud sexy time and everyone just HAVING to bring it up. Or maybe just the h/H having no sense of time and place and talking about it openly. 'Parents/children? Screw them! Dammit we LOVE each other!'

4) Overuse of the word 'My'
e.g. 'My girls helped me get ready then my girls and I walked out into the courtyard. My girls giggled behind me. i love my girls' The phrase should be limited to once per paragraph

5)Hawt aka HAWT and haaaaaaaawt
To be honest, this point could cover many things. KA does this thing were a character feels something and they have to say it six times. For example. "He looked at me and it felt good. Not good but good. Then he smiled and it felt really good. Then he saw me smile and his smile grew bigger which felt gooooooooood"
You see what I mean?? this could be with the word freaking (where the hell do all these 30 something year old women come from that they all use the word hawt and freaking so much?) or cool or hot or happy. TBH any word

There are many many more of these things which I currently can't recall. They would be ~~fine~~ tolerable if it was in one book. But it's consistent through them all. I'm tired. The plots are usually fine but the writing style needs to mix up a bit. Rant over. 2 stars ...more

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