Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley
Series: Fantasyland #1
Published by Indie
Published on: December 7 2013
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 543
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.
But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.
Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.
But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.
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SO. If we’re Goodreads friends, you probably already know this (if we’re not, you soon will): I LOVE Kristen Ashley.
LOVE her.
About three years ago I stumbled across one of her books on Amazon, one-clicked it, read it, and then . . . read every, single one of her other 40(ish) books, back-to-back. It took about a month, but I did it.
Yes. I did. B/c MANIAC. #sorrynotsorry.
There are two reasons why this is the first KA review I’m posting:
1. I’m OCD, so even though I’ve read several of her paranormal books since joining Rabid Reads, I’ve read them out of order, and thus they must wait.
2. KA writes a lot of romantic suspense, and as awesome as it is, no paranormal elements, so no RR review. *shrugs*
But don’t be mislead by my previous lack of SQUEE on the KA front, b/c trust me, it’s there.
Finnie Wilde is an adrenaline junkie.
She comes by it honestly, being the daughter of two adrenaline junkies, but as fun as that sounds, it’s actually quite sad. Finnie is essentially an orphan, having lost both mother and father to said adrenaline junkie-ness when she was twelve, so she jumps out of airplanes, etc. in an attempt to feel closer to her long-departed parents.
When she learns about an parallel universe populated by alternate versions of ourselves, she enlists the help of a witch to contact Alternate Finnie, who is more than eager to arrange a temporary body swap.
Real World Finnie is ecstatic, b/c Alternate Finnie’s parents are very much ALIVE, so against the admonishments and skepticism of her friends, RW Finnie pays Witch an exorbitant fee to perform the swap of her and Alternate Finnie’s consciousnesses.
Meet Frey Drakker:
*swoons*
One of the most powerful and feared men in the realm, he has agreed to marry to Alternate Finnie to secure an alliance with her father, a significantly less powerful (b/c Frey is just that badass and important), but still powerful king.
BUT.
He is not happy about it.
Alternate Finnie is as beautiful as her RW counterpart, but that is where the similarities end.
Alternate Finnie feels constrained by the limitations of her world. She is tomboyish in a reality where a good and proper princess does not favor hunting and archery over more “womanly” pursuits, or *gasp* prefer the company of women to men *waggles eyebrows* (something she admitted to Frey after imbibing too much wine during their betrothal negotiations).
But Alternate Finnie is as pragmatic a choice as any, and Frey has never considered marrying for any reason beyond necessity, so . . . the marriage is arranged.
Which brings us to the circumstances Finnie finds herself in–post swap–in a Fantasyland version of our reality filled with magic, and herself a princess about to be wed to a man she has never met.
Yes, REALLY.
Sound a little far-fetched to you? A little uh-huh, sure, whatever you say, boss?
I’m inclined to agree.
BUT.
If you’re unfamiliar with KA, you don’t know this yet, but KA can do things that others cannot do. To KA an outlandish/ridiculously far-fetched scenario is a playground. To KA women who make choices that would be questionable in any other context are quirky and fantastic. To KA brutish and extreme examples of Alpha male-ness are sex on a stick.
It’s baffling.
And WONDERFUL.
You should read it. *nods emphatically*
It is worth noting that the only reason this is a 4.5 and not 5.0 star read is an excessive use of the term “cool” in the beginning of the book. I am not grading it on a lesser scale b/c indie. It’s really that good. That being said, Kristen Ashley is not for everyone. If you do not enjoy supremely Alpha-type males (similar to those you find in Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series, then I’d skip these).
HOWEVER . . . if you do enjoy that kind of character, I encourage you to exercise your ability to one-click, b/c despite KA’s extreme popularity, her books are still downright cheap, so even if you don’t love it like I do, you won’t break the bank over that discovery. It’s a basic cost vs. (potential) benefit scenario, people! Check it out!
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
Oigh, Jessica, bloodydamn stop it! Another one-click for me! Thankfully even if the book doesn’t work out for me it is a rather cheap book, but my TBR pile is bloody well evergrowing!!
I love that even if it sounds totally far-fetched it also sounds like it’d BE A LOT OF FUN of a book to read!
Pili recently posted…Friday Reads: ARC Review of The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott!!
That’s exactly what it is, Pili: far-fetched, but A LOT OF FUN. And sometimes . . . room just has to be made, LOL.
Wow, thank you for putting this series on my book radar. Great review.
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Q+A with Carole Cummings + Wolf’s-Own Giveaway
Yippee, I’ll read this series soon – it’s only #30 on my to-read list ! I snatched the whole series at a ridiculous price, one day, along with Ghosts and reincarnation. I’m looking forward to being baffled – great review !!
Red Iza recently posted…Hottie of the week
I guess I need to try this author! If you read ALL her books back to back then I must give her a try.
Wonderful review Jessica!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep
I’m sold. Haven’t read her before, but your enthusiasm is all the recommendation I need. Okay, it doesn’t hurt that the book sounds pretty awesome, lol 🙂 I love reading stuff that only one writer can do – my curiosity is now at all-time high! Very informative review.
Ramona recently posted…I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
I read Golden Dynasty last year from your recommendation and I really enjoyed it. I need to pick up more of them. Great review.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole
I haven’t read anything by her, but this sounds like a great author and story in this one.
Oh not sure if it is for me, but you have me so curious! I have a feeling I will fall as hard as you did about her writing. I’m going to have to try it!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Audiobook Review: Tales from the Archives: Vol. 1
Haha, yes! I recognize this enthusiasm. I like KA and binged about 8 books in a row when I got started, but you, my friend, are The Boss with your 40. I haven’t read any of the paranormal series yet so this I will have to look forward.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Too Dangerous For a Lady by Jo Beverley #Review
The second book in this series, The Golden Dynasty, is one of my favorite books ever. I am with you – a KA Maniac!
Bambi recently posted…New Release with Review! The Gifted and the Damned By Dana Michelle Burnett
How have I not heard of this author before now? this sounds like it has all of the elements I find myself enjoying in a fantasy romance.
A lovely review Jessica! Sharon – Obsession with Books
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Under Different Stars by Amy A Bartol
KA is a hit or miss for me but I really enjoyed her older works back when she was indie. I had issues with the Gold Dynasty, I DNF it actually…but I’m going to give this series another go because you loved it so much and the heroine sounds awesome. And you already know how much I love KC’s IAD so I have no problems with these types of heroes. I think KA’s on scribd too…so checking now! Awesome review Jessica!
Amir recently posted…Review: The Virgin Romance Novelist by Meghan Quinn
Oh i can’t remember the last time i cracked open a fantasy book Jessica!!! You make me want to again so badly!
Lily recently posted…None of the Above :Review
I liked this one :()
Book 2 made me MAD, so I dnf
blodeuedd recently posted…#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In April 24 2015 and Ruthless Heart review
Absolutely brilliant gushing review! :] It sounds pretty good to me. I will have to add it to my TBR mountain!
These books are like crack, you start one and cannot stop until you are done with the last.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Movie Trailer: Mr. Holmes
I added this to my wishlist because of your GR updates. It’s definitely something I’m in the mood for.
Christy recently posted…Black Iris by Leah Raeder
“If you’re unfamiliar with KA, you don’t know this yet, but KA can do things that others cannot do. To KA an outlandish/ridiculously far-fetched scenario is a playground. To KA women who make choices that would be questionable in any other context are quirky and fantastic. To KA brutish and extreme examples of Alpha male-ness are sex on a stick.” <– I LOVE THIS ENTIRE PARAGRAPH!! Because…KA!!!! Woohoo!
Too much? Too bad. 😉 As you know, I also have a bit of a KA girl-crush. And I just happen to own this title because…YOU! And now…and now I just wish I could drop everything and go on a KA binge. I really need it, honestly. Alas, it's not to be…yet. Maybe June?
Great review, Jessica. I love how you gush over KA. And Wildest Dreams sounds like it will be exactly what I expect of KA. So again I say, Woohoo!
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