Book Review: Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love the Fantasyland series. Each book has completely pulled me in and everything around me fades away. I loved Ilsa and Apollo's story in Broken Dove. The drama, the intrigue, and the amazing build were all spectacular!


Book Review: Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley
Broken Dove (Fantasyland #4) by Kristen Ashley


synopsis_thumb2_thumb
Far too young, Apollo Ulfr lost Ilsa, the love of his life. The grief of her loss does not settle in his soul, it solders to it. When he discovers there’s a parallel universe where his wife may have a twin, he feels there’s hope and sets about bringing her to his world.

Ilsa Ulfr of our world is on the run from her husband, Apollo’s twin. The last thing she wants is to be transported to a fantastical world and forced to take his side as his wife.

However, trouble catches up with her, and she has no choice. While Ilsa is trying to find her feet in a fairytale world, Apollo finds the broken Ilsa nothing like his beloved.

But darkness is looming, and evil is amassing. Apollo must protect his land and keep his family safe. Including the new Ilsa.

When circumstances throw them together, sparks fly, and both Ilsa and Apollo are surprised at just how hot those sparks can get.


review_thumb2_thumb
5 out of 5 stars

Broken Dove had me from the start, I was pulled in thanks to the beautiful and broken characters and riveting drama. It was a breathtaking and epic saga that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Kristen Ashley has created a phenomenal world with equally exceptional and complex characters plus an overall storyline that has spanned the series. I have loved the layers, depth, and wonderful build to everything.

I loved Ilsa and her transformation throughout the story. I loved her being thrust into this new world, learning about and accepting it, and immersing herself in it. Apollo was fantastic. I loved him bringing her into his world and then having to deal with his very real feelings about the situation. Saying these two had their ups and downs is an understatement as Apollo deals with his grief from losing his wife and Ilsa moves on from past abuse and emerges as someone new. I wanted to yell at them, I cheered for them, and I loved the moments they saw each other as who they really were. It was an emotional journey filled with drama, playfulness, heartbreaking moments, and a whole lot of heat.

I loved how the couples from the first three stories were involved and how the women formed a true bond. I loved Ilsa making friends and how Apollo’s soldiers came to care for Ilsa and the playful moments they had. There were beautiful moments happening with Apollo's children that felt real and poignant, as well as some smaller, lighter stories mixed in that I really enjoyed. I also adored the witch Valentine, she is such a unique and interesting character and I loved it every time she was involved.

The details were amazing, helping to make it an all-consuming story. There's drama and intrigue and a lot happening with the overall storyline that I couldn’t get enough of. That build to the final chapter was pulse-pounding and exciting. This was an absolutely brilliant read!


Book Review: Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley | About That Story
"Brilliant story with beautiful and complex characters!" - About That Story


links
Purchase your copy of Broken Dove
Amazon | Author's Book Page
Connect with Kristen Ashley
Add Broken Dove to Goodreads


other-books-in-the-series
  
  
Wildest Dreams (#1) - Amazon | My Review
The Golden Dynasty (#2) - Amazon | My Review | Favorite Read of 2023
Fantastical (#3) - Amazon | My Review
Broken Dove (#4) - Amazon
Midnight Soul (#5) - Amazon
Gossamer in Darkness (#5.5) - Amazon


Are you a fantasy romance reader? Let me know! I don't read a lot of it but I have loved this series immensely and feel like I need more fantasy romance in my life now thanks to Kristen Ashley. 



g-signature-24
aboutthatstory