Fantastical by Kristen Ashley Also in this series: Wildest Dreams, The Golden Dynasty, Broken Dove
Series: Fantasyland #3
Published by Kristen Ashley on February 22, 2016
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 430
Format: eBook
Source: Library
ISBN: 0692619356
Cora Goode has woken up in a fairytale world where she can understand what birds are saying to her, men ride horses and have fluffy feathers in their hats and furniture zigs, zags and whirls in miracles of construction.
The problem is, she thinks she’s in a dream but she’s actually taken the place of the parallel universe Cora and without realizing it, our Cora does something that starts a centuries old curse that will sweep the land if she gets captured by the evil Minerva.
At this point, her dream world becomes a nightmare.
Luckily, hot guy, fantasyland Noctorno is there to save her from the clutches of the grotesque vickrants sent by Minerva to capture her. Unfortunately, hot guy, fantasyland Noctorno doesn’t like the Cora of his world all that much (to say the least) and he thinks our Cora is her. And no matter what our Cora says or does to try to convince him, he won’t be convinced.
But Cora needs Tor to keep her safe and guide her through this fantastical world as she hopes one day to wake up in her not-so-great apartment in her not-so-great life in her world. The problem is, the more time she spends with the gorgeous warrior Tor, the faster she falls in love with him.
Fantastical is the third book in Kristen Ashley’s infamous “Fantasyland” series and boy this book blew me away, not quite as much as the previous two books, but was such a solid read. I have to admit I have tried to read this book a few times over the past year or two and quite frankly I will say the beginning is what really turned me off. So what made this time so different? Well, one, I was actually in the mood for a good angst romance so I think when it comes to the angst I really need to be in the right mood to really enjoy it. Now Kristen Ashley doesn’t do these too often, at least not in this manner but boy I fell in love with this one. Once you get past the first few chapters you quickly fall in love. So if you are like me and struggle with the beginning, keep reading, it will improve, I guarantee it.
Our heroine, Cora Goode, wakes up in a strange world, where birds talk and flowers sparkle and an angry husband is awaiting for her. Cora is downright confused by what has happened, where her normal boring life is and why this “dream” seems so vivid and real. But when a woman claiming to be her sister disappears due to her actions, and her angry husband “Noctorno” claims her and its very apparent he hates her. But Cora knows she is not the woman he believes her to be and the difficult challenge is to try to convince him she is a different woman from a different world. But that task is much more difficult and they are battling evil that is chasing them and Cora will have to face up to the fact she is stuck in this new world, with a husband who aggravates her but also tugs at her heart in other ways, but will Cora and Tor find their way to the HEA or be separated by evil workings forever?
He was watching me with a look so tender it was a shock when I felt it slice clean through me. The pain was so perfect, it felt exquisite, better by far than any orgasm he’d given me (and he’d given me lots and all of them were good) so I bit my lip and looked away.
Fantastical I will admit I have had to force myself to read, but since “Broken Dove” which is the fourth book in the series I am reading later this week is part of the Romanceopoly Reading Challenge I just knew this is one of those series I needed to read in order. So I had to force myself to get this one read, but it didn’t take very long before I couldn’t put this one DOWN!!! Dang this book was so so good. If you love a good angsty tension ….this is a book for you. Their bantering was so hilarious, especially the baffling differences in their cultures they have to work through. I am just loving this fantasy world that Kristen Ashley has created. Its so full of magic, unique political dynamics, and adventure. I swear this author can do NO wrong.
There are so many factors involved that really make this book just come together in so many good ways. I really loved seeing Cora really battle through her challenges to find a place beside Tor and fight for their relationship. Because they both realize that it will take BOTH of them to reach their HEA. It’s not just going to be one or the other, but both working with the goal of being together and fighting for what they believe in. And honestly, the FEELS in this story is downright emotionally provoking, you will not regret grabbing up this book and falling in love with Tor and Cora who will capture your heart in the typical KA way.
“He’s a warrior,” I whispered. “He has scars here,” I moved my finger to touch his chest where Tor’s scar was, “and here,” I kept whispering, touching another place on his chest, “and…here.” I finished with another touch and tipped my head back to look from his chest to his eyes. “He has your eyes, he has your voice and he has half my soul”
Overall I found Fantastical to be a story full of drama, sexual tension, plenty of laughs and adventure in the lands of Fantasyland…..come with a heart of readiness and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed in this shining star of a romance!
About Kristen Ashley
Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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