Audio. Summers at Castle Auburn - Sharon Shinn

As a child, Coriel Halsing spent many glorious summers at Castle Auburn with her half-sister-and fell in love with a handsome prince who could never be hers. But now that she is a young woman, she begins to see the dark side of this magical place . . .

Audio CD, 14 h
Published March 27th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published April 1st 2001)
Fantasy
For review

My thoughts:
When it started I was a bit weary, cos I honestly did not know what to expect. But soon I fell in love with this place thanks to the wonderful Gabrielle Baker. She really was Coriel, as a young girl and later.

Do a lot happen? Well, not exactly. It is not that kind of book. I also feel it is perfect for audio, it makes you happy to listen. And you can feel the woods around you and the magic.

We first meet Coriel on a hunting trip. The Magical creatures from Alora. Who then becomes slaves to those rich enough to afford them. Which is when you start thinking of it, truly horrible. These are kind "creatures", they bring warmth and happiness. to their masters. But they are slaves. And they kind of look like humans. So that is one thing that the book follow. Because Coriel loves her sister's slave, even if they do not think as it as a slave.

There is also a lot around court. The handsome prince whom everyone loves. Who loves to flirt with all the ladies and who only thinks of fun and games. The prince Coriel's half sister has been engaged to since her birth.

Then there is the prince's cousin, a nice young man, a bit more levelheaded. A young guardsman who is not afraid to banter and be a friend in need. Coriel's two besties who loves to gossip. Her Uncle who hunts the Alora, and of course her sister, who is sweet and kind. Oh and her grandma, the witch (which here are good, so yay for that.

She comes back at 17 again. Yes she was there previous years too, but now she starts to open her eyes. It is also a story about growing up, and seeing things in a new light. And for every year after 17 it gets harder and harder to return. Life as a woman is not the same as when she was a kid.

And through out the book, through the good and the bad, it continues to be enchanting. A rich tale with a wonderful heroine.

Conclusion:
I do recommend it, and it must be audio. There lies the magic.

Narrator Gabrielle Baker

Oh she was absolutely wonderful. Her voice was so familliar too, but no, I have not listened to her before. It really felt like listening to an old friend.

Troubled Waters - Sharon Shinn and #FitReaders: Weekly Check-In Jan 8 2015

#FitReaders hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Sat, 11087 steps
Sun, 13,312 steps
Mon, 12065 steps
Tue, 11571 steps
Wed, 15 min walk and 4 km bike (first day back to work, blergh)
Thu, 30 min walk and 4 km bike
Fri, 1 hour walk and 4 km bike

Ice gave away to ice again. Good week. Trying this 1 month abs things too :)

.............................

Zoe Ardelay receives astonishing and unwelcome news: she has been chosen to become the king’s fifth wife. Forced to go to the royal city, she manages to slip away and hide on the shores of the mighty river.

It’s there that Zoe realizes she is a coru prime ruled by the elemental sign of water. She must return to the palace, not as an unwilling bride for the king, but a woman with power in her own right. But as Zoe unlocks more of the mysteries of her blood — and the secrets of the royal family — she must decide how to use her great power to rise above the deceptions and intrigue of the royal court. 

My thoughts:

I did expect more, oh expectations, you be evil. It's just that, I had heard Shinn was good, and yes she was good. It was a fun, silly, cheesy book, but it never became more than that. I expected fantasy, I did not feel I got fantasy, maybe fantasy romance then? Nope, not even that, instead I got Shopaholic in a fantasy land.

It's about Zoe, the girl who like the stream just moves along. Hey, dad is dead, marry the king! Ok...

Look an open door, run away..

Ok.

See, the stream. Her personality comes from her "sign". Everyone, we are told this a lot, are either air, water, fire, earth, and whatever that last one was. I did like it, just, it was mentioned a LOT. Like, oh she is feisty today, must be because she is Fire. Oh she blah blah today, must be because..you get the idea. Anyway, Zoe does not really have a lot of personality, she is a follower, even when she follows no one.

The shopaholic thing comes from her shopping a lot! it felt like the author wanted to show us how fun it is to shop in a fantasy land. Just...Zoe is poor! poor! She is freaking homeless and lives at the beach. Still she uses the money she did have to shop food (good), candy and useless things. Then she gets a job and continues to use most of her money to shop. Her excuse for living at the beach is freedom. Sure I'd love to live at the beach with the peaceful ones. It's not like someone is gonna rape me, stab me, steal my shit or anything. Just live on your fantasy land beach. So instead she buys clothes and chocolate and is homeless. 

But hey that was actually the best part, her living on the beach, shopping and just being. It was not as interesting when she did other things because here her personality just stagnated.

Still, fun book, weird mix of steampunk and fantasy. Just do not expect awesome world building. And even though I did enjoy some of it it I am SO not gonna continue this series.

Conclusion:

Hm, that made me think, even if I found it at the library I would not read it, Then it could not have been so good could it? Let's make it just ok then. 

Paperback, 416 pages
Published September 27th 2011 by Ace
Elemental Blessings #1
Fantasy
Own