Crystal Collier
Author of Moonless
Series
Works by Crystal Collier
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- female
- Awards and honors
- 2012 Pitch Wars Finalist
- Short biography
- Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids with a thriller pace. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friends” (a.k.a. the slaves scientists locked in her basement). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.
Members
Reviews
Certainly there is no new story under the sun, but some stories strike as original. Moonless is this kind of story. May take a few chapters to engage the brain, but once the action opens up, the plot engages and carries through to a satisfactory end.
PLOT: Alexia Dumont has lived a privileged life, with a wealthy family and servants for her every need. Still, she had spent her childhood hindered by her own sense of awkwardness, her father's intense protectionism, and her mother's inexplicable show more distance. On her sixteenth birthday, though, her world would shake to its core, and she would never be the same. Why did she suddenly blossom into the desire of every man she met? What drew her to the mysterious and dangerous blue-eyed stranger? And who were the "Passionate," a strange collection of individuals with characteristics and appeal she could not explain? The answers threaten to tear apart the very world she lives in, but the reward may be worth the cost.
WRITING STYLE: A tad simplistic at first, a few type-os and grammar errors throughout - editorial oversights. Very dramatic descriptions bordering on melodramatic, but the plot carries the emotions well. The love story is both pure and passionate, with an abundance of mystery and tension that lasts so far into the book that the resolution proves very satisfying. I think because of the novelty of the plot, it feels disjointed and simplistic at the beginning, but once the story starts to really unfold in chapter 24, the plot gels and turns compelling.
CHARACTERS: Highlights
Alexia Dumont - sweet, dramatic, naive, brave. I don't love her character for most of the books, finding pleasure in her mostly for the relationships that revolve around her. Toward the end, though, new information we receive about her and the actions she takes open a new world of possibilities for future books that make me envision her as promising a lot of cool storylines in the next book or books.
Kiren: Just, yeah. Already picturing which gorgeous guy will play him in the movie, cause I'm sold on him completely from the beginning.
Charles Dumont: Alexia's father with a hidden past that changes Alexia's life. He is sympathetic, but also antagonistic in some elements.
Rupert: Love him. Hope he gets a resolution in future books.
Sarah: Ditto Rupert.
Miles: Favorite minor character. I'm a sucker for the faithful sidekick.
Many more characters, some fun though not particularly significant.
DISTINCTIVE ELEMENTS:
1. The specific supernatural element is not really something I've seen before, though I'm sure some readers will draw a parallel with something. I have not seen it, though.
2. The purity of the romantic relationship is nice for me. If you want salacious, this is not your book.
3. The gifts of the Passionate. Novel for me, and very cool.
I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review, but I almost set it down anyway because the beginning did not ring well with me. I am so glad I did not. Admittedly, the writing style is simplistic and, in a few locations, trite, but the story itself is wonderful and interesting, and when the next book comes out, I will buy it. show less
PLOT: Alexia Dumont has lived a privileged life, with a wealthy family and servants for her every need. Still, she had spent her childhood hindered by her own sense of awkwardness, her father's intense protectionism, and her mother's inexplicable show more distance. On her sixteenth birthday, though, her world would shake to its core, and she would never be the same. Why did she suddenly blossom into the desire of every man she met? What drew her to the mysterious and dangerous blue-eyed stranger? And who were the "Passionate," a strange collection of individuals with characteristics and appeal she could not explain? The answers threaten to tear apart the very world she lives in, but the reward may be worth the cost.
WRITING STYLE: A tad simplistic at first, a few type-os and grammar errors throughout - editorial oversights. Very dramatic descriptions bordering on melodramatic, but the plot carries the emotions well. The love story is both pure and passionate, with an abundance of mystery and tension that lasts so far into the book that the resolution proves very satisfying. I think because of the novelty of the plot, it feels disjointed and simplistic at the beginning, but once the story starts to really unfold in chapter 24, the plot gels and turns compelling.
CHARACTERS: Highlights
Alexia Dumont - sweet, dramatic, naive, brave. I don't love her character for most of the books, finding pleasure in her mostly for the relationships that revolve around her. Toward the end, though, new information we receive about her and the actions she takes open a new world of possibilities for future books that make me envision her as promising a lot of cool storylines in the next book or books.
Kiren: Just, yeah. Already picturing which gorgeous guy will play him in the movie, cause I'm sold on him completely from the beginning.
Charles Dumont: Alexia's father with a hidden past that changes Alexia's life. He is sympathetic, but also antagonistic in some elements.
Rupert: Love him. Hope he gets a resolution in future books.
Sarah: Ditto Rupert.
Miles: Favorite minor character. I'm a sucker for the faithful sidekick.
Many more characters, some fun though not particularly significant.
DISTINCTIVE ELEMENTS:
1. The specific supernatural element is not really something I've seen before, though I'm sure some readers will draw a parallel with something. I have not seen it, though.
2. The purity of the romantic relationship is nice for me. If you want salacious, this is not your book.
3. The gifts of the Passionate. Novel for me, and very cool.
I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review, but I almost set it down anyway because the beginning did not ring well with me. I am so glad I did not. Admittedly, the writing style is simplistic and, in a few locations, trite, but the story itself is wonderful and interesting, and when the next book comes out, I will buy it. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.
Moonless by Crystal Collier was a fascinating book. It held my attention from beginning to end.
It was incredibly well written and took us down an already well trodden path in a fresh and exciting way, putting a sensational twist on the paranormal romance and taking it in a whole new direction.
I havent encountered anything like 'The Soulless' before and they were a chilling addition to the fantasy hall of fame of dreaded villains to avoid on a dark moonless night…
If you liked Twilight then show more then I think you would love Moonless but please don’t mistake it for some kind of copy-cat book or take my comparison in a bad way. While its tale of doomed lovers -Alexia and Kiren- was reminiscent of Bella and Edward, it was different in so many ways. Its legend of fantastical monsters was familiar yet so very strange and new that I was compelled by this story from first page to last. I cannot wait for the sequel,it is bound to be an un-missable book. show less
It was incredibly well written and took us down an already well trodden path in a fresh and exciting way, putting a sensational twist on the paranormal romance and taking it in a whole new direction.
I havent encountered anything like 'The Soulless' before and they were a chilling addition to the fantasy hall of fame of dreaded villains to avoid on a dark moonless night…
If you liked Twilight then show more then I think you would love Moonless but please don’t mistake it for some kind of copy-cat book or take my comparison in a bad way. While its tale of doomed lovers -Alexia and Kiren- was reminiscent of Bella and Edward, it was different in so many ways. Its legend of fantastical monsters was familiar yet so very strange and new that I was compelled by this story from first page to last. I cannot wait for the sequel,it is bound to be an un-missable book. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? I have, thinking how neat it would be to meet my ancestors and see how they lived. Or how about traveling to the future and see what the world would be like hundreds of years from now. Would you still be you in another time? Interesting to think about. If time travel, adventure, magic, and very interesting people intrigue you then take a look at Author Crystal Collier’s latest novel TIMELESS, Book Three in the Maiden of show more Time Trilogy.
In TIMELESS, nineteen-year-old Alexia is now 500 years in the past, away from her husband, the father of her soon to be born baby. She is back in time to undo the mistakes of the past and of the future.
Kiren, Alexia’s husband in the future, is also there in the past. That is not supposed to be and complicates matters. What follows is a gentle, confusing romance for the two of them as well as danger for them all, including the unborn baby.
Crystal Collier has created a world of interesting characters dealing with life and death and mixed emotions. I love Alexia. She’s brave and smart and concerned for her child’s future if she should die in child birth. She has mixed emotions about Kiren in the future and in the present time. I can not imagine what it would be like to face your husband who did not know you because he had not met you until centuries later. And Kiren? I can see why she loves him. He is human with a slight temper; he’s also gentle and kind and in love with Alexia. I hoped all would work out for them, even in a different century. Yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.
TIMELESS is a fascinating story that will keep you reading to see if Alexia succeeds in her quest and if she and Kiren live happily ever after. Oh, what about the baby? You’ll find out when you read the story. Enjoy. show less
In TIMELESS, nineteen-year-old Alexia is now 500 years in the past, away from her husband, the father of her soon to be born baby. She is back in time to undo the mistakes of the past and of the future.
Kiren, Alexia’s husband in the future, is also there in the past. That is not supposed to be and complicates matters. What follows is a gentle, confusing romance for the two of them as well as danger for them all, including the unborn baby.
Crystal Collier has created a world of interesting characters dealing with life and death and mixed emotions. I love Alexia. She’s brave and smart and concerned for her child’s future if she should die in child birth. She has mixed emotions about Kiren in the future and in the present time. I can not imagine what it would be like to face your husband who did not know you because he had not met you until centuries later. And Kiren? I can see why she loves him. He is human with a slight temper; he’s also gentle and kind and in love with Alexia. I hoped all would work out for them, even in a different century. Yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.
TIMELESS is a fascinating story that will keep you reading to see if Alexia succeeds in her quest and if she and Kiren live happily ever after. Oh, what about the baby? You’ll find out when you read the story. Enjoy. show less
Have you ever had nightmares that terrified you? Have you ever looked in a mirror and thought the reflection you saw was someone else because you’re not beautiful like the image staring back at you? In Author Crystal Collier’s fantasy novel MOONLESS (MAIDEN OF TIME BOOK 1) we meet sixteen-year-old Alexia Dumont, who has nightmares. For Alexia, they started when she turned sixteen, and, unlike the dreams most of us have, that go away when we wake up,
Alexia’s dreams come true.
The author show more has written a story about family, secrets, love, and danger. She has created a fantasy world with characters known as the “Passionate” and the “Soulless” to name a few. As Alexia, little by little, discovers the truth about her mother and father, as well as about Arik, the man she loves, she’s faced with choices that will determine not only her future but the lives of others as well.
I really like Alexia. She’s brave and bold at times. She’s also human, well sort of, enough to make mistakes. If you enjoy characters that keep you guessing what they’ll do next and a story with a touch of mystery and a little romance, then pick up a copy of MOONLESS (MAIDEN OF TIME BOOK 1). See if you can solve all the mysteries before the end. Things did not always turn out the way I expected them to. How about you? show less
Alexia’s dreams come true.
The author show more has written a story about family, secrets, love, and danger. She has created a fantasy world with characters known as the “Passionate” and the “Soulless” to name a few. As Alexia, little by little, discovers the truth about her mother and father, as well as about Arik, the man she loves, she’s faced with choices that will determine not only her future but the lives of others as well.
I really like Alexia. She’s brave and bold at times. She’s also human, well sort of, enough to make mistakes. If you enjoy characters that keep you guessing what they’ll do next and a story with a touch of mystery and a little romance, then pick up a copy of MOONLESS (MAIDEN OF TIME BOOK 1). See if you can solve all the mysteries before the end. Things did not always turn out the way I expected them to. How about you? show less
Awards
Statistics
- Works
- 15
- Members
- 117
- Popularity
- #168,596
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 17
- ISBNs
- 9
- Languages
- 1
