Lisa Kumar

Just when I thought that Ms. Kumar couldn't be better than the last time I read her book, SHE BLOWS MY MIND! The Fae had taken over the entire world and ruled humans as if the were the lowest of animals and they were left to dig through the garbage pile just to find a tidbit to sell for food. Lina watched her parents being taken as her grandparents had shield her from them. Now, she had to risked danger to go to the forbidden garbage dump just to survive. You have to admire the young girl show more who faced death if the Fae caught her at daily runs to the pile in order to help out. I at first hated Gaberon with a passion until I saw how he treated Lina and all of his staff in his home. He was a lord but didn't hate humans like so many of his people, and now, I can't wait to see what happens next! show less

Oh I LOVE IT WHEN GOOD KICKS EVIL IN THE BUTT! I really felt sorry for the stepsisters being forced to grow up with a money hungry and deceitful step mother. Poor shy but truly gifted with selflessness, Aideen had been happy with her books and her Brownie friend to talk to, and she stuttered around strangers, large and small parties. Her status seeking stepmother intended for her to go to the Black Queen's ball and get a lord, but how could she do it when she knew no one there? Ronatta, show more Aideen's stepsister had been promised to the fat butcher and she envied Aideen. She was younger than her and she had time to find a lord, but this was her only chance and she plotted to go to the ball in her place show less

When she was 12 years old, Cal dreamt of an Elf warrior with long, black hair and intense gray eyes. When the dreams revisit her during her last year in college, she confides in her best friend, Maggie. A mist begins appearing which allows her to see into a different world. Surprisingly, Maggie sees it, too, and they are both carried away and dropped into Eria, where Cal's dream Elf (Relian) rules as its prince.

As Cal and Maggie are swept away by the beauty they find in Eria, they are show more puzzled by the language and customs of the beautiful creatures. "The veil," which represents the Magic that rules their world, has destined that Relian and Cal form a complete bond. As Elves are immortal creatures, and Cal is an unwelcome (by some) human, she is granted time to decide where her fate lies.

There are a lot of descriptions of this beautiful fantasy world and the main characters (Elves and humans) within it, but the action is lacking. At one point, Relian leaves to battle dark creatures, and although he is gone for more than a week, it takes very few pages to describe this scene. Cal's worry and anxiety for his safe return are not explored, nor are there any "close calls" where we nearly lose the hero. Battle scenes are not described with any detail, and that forms a major reason for my 3-star rating. There is simply too much telling in this book and not enough showing. Gaps of time pass with little explanation, and the love story between Cal and Relian could be explained better. We do not really know how either of them feel about the other. They are destined for each other, but what causes them to fall in love of their own free will? These issues are not fully explored, and the resulting romance is, unfortunately, lukewarm. show less

I liked the story to a point but both Talion and Maggie got on my nerves, I didn't like either of them. He is too arrogant, he enjoys getting her riled but its to a point where she feels hurt. She comes across to me as childish.