A captivating new YA medieval fantasy, perfect for adults or teens. When Aveline is betrothed to the lord of her village, it starts a journey that will take her far from home and everything she has ever known. Embark on a coming of age journey with Aveline, as she stumbles into a dragon, a creature from fairytales and a battle she didn't even know were being fought. Will she find the courage to play her part as a king's madness spreads across the land, or will she remain the scared girl she has always been?
Turn the page, the saga has begun.
**This book contains mild violence and content which some readers may find triggering.**
Michelle Connor hails from Grimsby, England. She had her first poems published when she was fifteen. She now writes fantasy fiction with heart.
Her works include Hers to Save, a coming of age, fantasy series, and Where Ravens Soar, the first book in the Nine World Protection Agency series.
She likes history, old castles, and loves to read about legends and old religions. This love comes across in the tales and magic she weaves with her words.
"Hers to save." A book of magic, adventure, and intrique that will send you to the brink of insanity begging for more. I absloutely loved how the author practically painted a picture with each word. Flowing from page to page like a river. It was a beautifully written book with only the occasional grammatical errors here and there. It was hard to even put the book down as the moment you open the book the trap Michelle Connor has set springs into action trapping your attention within the pages of her book.
Only critiques I have for the author is to slow down a little. Although she does a beautiful job of painting a picture in readers minds I did feel as though she was rushing a little when Aveline escapes from her abusive father, meets the dragon, and the prince. Its still an enjoyable read. and definitely one I can see ending up on the best sellers list one day. I just would have liked to see a few more details when she met the dragon and the prince is all. Otherwise a wonderful read. Great job Michelle I give this book 4 1/2 stars.
Hers to Save is written very well, with a strong female lead character and a sweet development of coming of age along side an adventure to save the lands and realistic consequences of battle. Plus, a dragon! The dragons had been gone long enough they were close to myth, but when the lands are in danger of succumbing to evil dragons return with their bound human companions to balance the shift in power.
I enjoyed the book a lot, though it did take me longer to read the story due to the formatting errors within the Kindle Unlimited edition. There was also a relationship (remaining unnamed to avoid spoilers) that should, in my opinion, have been developed more, because through the thoughts of the characters the relationship is revealed and it just seemed to jump from normal thoughts to BAM, feelings. It just seemed to be missing some scenes or perhaps some internal dialogue missing in scenes that are already there to build those feelings from platonic to romantic.
Overall well written and an easy read. I have high expectations for fantasy novels, the book was a lovely read, great writing, but I just didn't feel like the story was different enough for me to give the book a four wing. Writing was five star (only a few grammar/spelling errors, not enough to pull from the story.) The story was a three for me. I'll rate it as four wing because the writing is so well done, and the plot was well done, I just think the story was missing something for me. I've waffled on this rating multiple times, between giving it a three or three point five, or a four. Definitely give the book a try, as I said it was entertaining and an easy read, but if you're a die hard fantasy enthusiast and need that something different, I don't think it met that mark.
I'm excited to see what this author comes out with next, because I really think her novels will only get better, you can see the difference between the beginning of the book and the end of it, there was major growth and the story only got better.
I received a digital arc in exchange for an honest review. This is simply my opinion on the book and is not influenced by any external factor.
As this is a three-novella series, I am providing a review for each installment below and an overall score at the end.
BOOK 1
A really great start for Aveline in this fantasy novella. We are given an understanding of Aveline’s situation and her reasons for leaving home without taking away from the main story. The author dives right in to the important parts of the story.
The characters were all likeable and I liked getting that insight into Herveus’s past at the end of this story. I do wish that we had a chance to learn more about Dayton or Aeolius in this one, however, as a novella, there is not much time for specific and detailed character development. And, as well as being a very well-written story, that ending makes you want to read the next one.
BOOK 2
Just as well-written as the first, this installment starts where The Bound ended, leaving us to learn of Herveus’s current condition. We do get more character development in this one, seeing more bonding between Aveline and Aeolius and Aveline and Bramwell. Aeolius especially had some hilarious moments that really had me laughing out loud.
The only one criticism I can provide is that compared to the first, this novella seemed to lack as much action. However, the storyline was used to focus on training and setting the scene for the next book. Also, keeping in mind that this is only a novella, there is not a lot of room to diverge into side plots or specific details, and the author has done a really good job keeping on track.
BOOK 3
A thrilling and epic conclusion to the series. With only a novella’s worth of pages, the author has effectively led the story to a satisfying conclusion. Really satisfied with the ending and the outcomes for the characters.
Overall, 4/5, amazing! Great worldbuilding, an epic story, completely engaging! And all while being a novella.
I have loved this book from when it was wrapped up inside the dragons egg of Michelles imagination waiting to unfurl and set out across the ancient world in which it is set. The main female character Avaline broadens and matures as the story unfolds and what more could you want than war and love, sorrow, pain, laughter and loss. Well for one, a thumping fearsome blood spilling dragon, who also possesses a marvellous sense of humour and great love and loyalty. Add in a prince and his loyal and ruthless henchman and swards and battles,defeat swards, victory, shields, oh did I mention swards. The story grows and fills out with a firecracking magical use of description. Always rich right through all three parts to its conclusion, so laugh, cry and be entertained and yes let your imagination be taken for a dragon ride.
It's been a while since I've read a fantasy novel of this kind. Recently, all the fantasy books I've read focused on witches, faeries, Nephilim, you know what I mean, right?
This old-ish dragon fantasy was a good change, though I couldn't connect with the characters all that well. I felt bad for Aveline, but I didn't really feel her.
My favorite character is without doubt the dragon, Aeolius. His dialogues were far and few, but he still had a definite personality and I loved that about him.
My favorite moment on the other hand is when Herveus gets injured and dreams about his sister. That was a heartbreaking moment and it gave me an insight into his complicated personality.
To sum it up, Hers To Save was an enjoyable and fun read.
I found this to be a thoroughly entertaining read with plenty to pull on the heart strings and put fire in your belly. The author clearly grew into the series and perhaps this was her first compilation. The first book although entertaining and enjoyable not as good as the second and nowhere near as good as the third. Hence ***Reason for 4 and not 5*** This is my only criticism as otherwise i thoroughly enjoyed the journey i was taken on by michelle, the plight of a young girl.. a D R A G O N!! and a bit of war and gore was exactly what i needed this week! :)
*I received a free copy of this series from the author via voracious readers only in exchange for an honest review* If you’re looking for a wild action and emotionally packed ride full of great characters and dragons then you definitely need to read this. This was one of those series that I was really sad to see end. Because the series is made up of novellas it’s not very long but that didn’t stop the characters working their way into my heart. All the characters are so beautiful and well rounded that I can’t pick a favourite but of course Aeolius has the upper hand, being a dragon and all. Overall my only complaint was that it had to end, I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
The Hers To Save series is a lively tale set in medieval times with knights and dragons. The main character is realistically vulnerable yet brave. She develops a strong bond with a charismatic dragon. The descriptions themselves were the most breathtaking and I could truly imagine going to battle alongside Dayton, Herveus, Aveline, and Aeolius. There were a few typos throughout the series but I found myself enjoying it nonetheless.
The cover of this book has a dark, sinister look to it, complete with Dragon in flight across the moonlit sky, so I was aware that this book was fantasy, but apart from that, before picking it up I had no idea what to expect. To begin with, the Author, Michelle Connor, sets the scene beautifully, describing the characters so they instantly become real in your minds eye, literally jumping out of the pages at you. I instantly developed an empathy towards young Aveline, the main character in the book, who is forced to care for her younger brother from a young age, when her Mother dies in childbirth with him. Her Father is an ogre who likes a drink, and is handy with his fists towards his children, but she decides enough is enough, when one night he comes home to announce that she is to be sold into an arranged marriage, to an old, rich landlord, in a deal which has already been agreed, and will see him not have to work again. She takes flight in the dead of night whilst father is sleeping, and thereby starts an epic Journey which sees her meet a Prince, a Dragon, and host of rogues, gathering other children along the way which she takes under her wing.
Set, supposedly in the middle ages, the story has an almost 'Knights of the Round Table' feel to it, and the scenes and surroundings are also described beautifully, with excellent use of vernacular, fitting to the era. The plot is well developed and keeps the reader guessing throughout the whole story, and I think it would be equally enjoyable for both youth and adult readers
All in all, even though its not one that I would have chosen myself, I would happily have given this book five stars, had it not been for the lack of proof reading, resulting in words used in the wrong context, and the odd grammatical errors throughout, which rather spoilt the flow for me, but in spite of this I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Aveline missed her mother, her father was getting meaner and her brother Ethan was being to as well. She vowed this would not always be her life. He father’s solution to their precarious situation was to give her to Lord Thomas in marriage. She felt she was tracking one bad situation for another. She decides to run away and stumbles on a dragon, Aeolius. They decide to journey together and so her adventure begins.
This fantasy adventure series is action-packed and worth reading. I enjoyed this book because of the amazing character, the great narration and the action. The characters are well developed and grow throughout the story, overcoming their fears, dealing with internal struggles, learning to become solders and fighting for something bigger than themselves. The dragon is the star of the series in my mind. He has a great sense of humour and learns to bond with a human and gains his confidence. The narration is well done allowing for a sense of the setting, the combat scenes, the horror of war, human suffering and the true aftermath of such destruction. The section sequences are excellently done. Overall this is an easy to read fantasy novel that stirs the imagination and is worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There might be the kernel of a decent story here, but it was so disjointed neither my wife or I could finish it.
First, it needs a proofreader. I can forgive occasional typos and mistakes, but there were so many of them it became distracting.
Second it needs a story editor. There was not one character I sympathized with. The main protagonist is abused in a cartoon-like fashion, and characters change without warning, not to mention the author badly needed some knowledge of how pre-power technology farming and farming communities work.
The action scenes were disjointed, and often non-sequiturs. Ten against one is a heroic fight if the one can even come close to pulling it off - instead at least seven of the ten mysteriously have no method of being removed from the fight visible to the reader.
I don't like writing reviews like this. I would encourage this author to revise the story and try again.
While thaw overall storyline was good I found that in parts the story was disjointed. I also found Lief’s part in the story completely useless. While his character may have been to give insight into the Kings camp it added nothing to the story his perspectives could have been removed and something with purpose could have been added.