The Plan Commences

The Rising, Book 2

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Liz Thompson, Dina Pearlman, Stella Bloom, Joniece Abbott Pratt, Esther Wane, Gemma Dawson, Robin Miles, Clara Francesca, Lance Greenfield, Jakobi Diem, Ralph Lister, John Hartley, Rupert Channing, Sarah Coomes

Length: 23 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Once upon a time, in a parallel universe, there existed the continent of Triton....

The prophecy has begun. The Beast has been stirred. And Triton is in turmoil.

Our four warriors and four witches, destined mates, have begun their adventure, knowing the fate of their world is at stake, but not having any idea there are other factions plotting against them.

Now they face political intrigues, religious zealotry, father against son, wife against husband, a mother’s plotting, a sister’s envy, grief, betrayal, and despair as the prophesied journey across the sands of Firenze into the lush green of Wodell.

The lovers are united, but their stories have just begun. They know the battle ahead will be a fierce one they cannot lose.

What they don’t know is a diabolical plan has commenced....

And no one is safe.

©2019 Kristen Ashley (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

What happened to the strong FMCs??

This second book is driving me crazy! What happened to all of the strong female leads who knew their minds and could speak their words? As soon as any of their overbearing men so much as look at them, they become mindless swooning nitwits. I don't know if I'll be able to finish this book, much less buy the next books in the series.
And what's the point of having 4 separate couples if they're basically all covering the same trope of "I'm a worthy woman but I won't speak my mind when this man tries to push me around and instead of meaningful communication and mutual growth, I will stew silently. I also won't ask anything of this man OR talk to my fellow women going through similar issues and instead remain hurt, upset and confused."
AND "I'm the man who knows everything and don't have to include this woman in any decision making or even care about basic needs. And I definitely won't stop to think that maybe the woman might need support while acclimating to this totally unfair power differential."
UGH

OMG

This book is so good that I cannot wait until the next installment. Kristen just gets better and better

Amazing narration!

Amazing story and amazing narration. The characters and events are described in such a way that I feel connected to each characters and event. The narration makes it event better. This book is a perfect example of why books are better than film.

An amazing continuation!

I absolutely loved this continuation to The Beginning of Everything! I'm still 100% hooked on each of these couples. I love following each of them throughout this story. Each of their struggles is unique and interesting, but I really enjoyed watching the friendships that developed throughout this part of the story.

I am also becoming more and more invested in the story of the beast. As I fall more and more for these characters, my need to see the traitors and the beast brought to justice grows. I need to see good win over evil, but I think there is going to be a lot more heartache before we see that as a possibility. My emotions are as high as my need for book three. I can't wait to listen to the rest of this series!

The narration for these books is excellent. I really enjoy the accents, and having a full cast is incredibly helpful in keeping the characters straight! These narrators bring all the drama and emotion of these stories through perfectly!

AMAZING!!!!!

This was a non stop listen for me. I devoured this. i am on the edge till the 21st when the next comes out!!
Everything is so descriptive & lovely. The narrators do SUCH A FANTASTIC JOB! I was entertained & am in love with all the characters.

We get to spend time with the charachters!

I'm a huge Kristen Ashley fan and more than that my favorite series, including my favorite audible series is The Fantasyland Series, so when I heard she was writing a spinoff series, count me in.

The Rising Series begins with The Beginning of Everything. I didn't review this book yet and it's hard to review any of these really. The reason is because it's pretty much an episode. There are four parts to this story. You have to listen to each and they are being released within a month of each other.  This is a full cast, I think there were fourteen narrators. I've never listened to a book with such a full cast. 

There are four love stories happening at once as well as a ton of other things so it skips around a lot. In The Beginning of Everything, this was confusing. I needed a map drawn out of who was who. I also thought since it was a beginning I was not able to feel fully vested with anyone character since I was merely introduced. I listened to it twice since I struggled a little with what was going on. 

In The Plan Commences, you begin to see and feel their relationships more. I began to feel much more vested and I started to have some favorites. I liked so much about this book. Since it's only part two and I have two more volumes to go, I'll wait to pass my final judgment. The other thing I absolutely loved is we get to spend time with Fantasyland characters!

Dax and his dragons! Circe! Tor! 
One thing I didn't care for is the villain's relationships, or I guess not villains? I did skip some of the down and dirty with the men.

This is an audio only release. It will release this Summer on e-book. Start at the Begining. Oh, and best yet, these are available in Audible Escape!

A BUNCH of plans!!!

Ok ...there is a lot of good stuff here-along w a few things that hold back a star for me.

In part 2 we pick up where we left off...and add new characters & essential elements of the plot. For me the pacing was a little better in part 2 than the first, along with more action, suspense, romance & steamy scenes. We get to find out more about our couples, more about the rising, and the other major players- some cameos in this series from the Fantasyland series. Everyone’s relationship is moving forward & the couples split up to get to know each other- going in 4 different directions- along with the plots!!
There is so much going on in this book that sometimes I was frustrated like just when I was sinking in to something juicy- it would switch gears to a different plot line w different characters. I love it & I hate it- I feel a bit exhausted from the ups & downs. The descriptions are vivid but really really descriptive and long winded about everything from the decor & setting to the steps it takes to turn out a lamp [ he turned his upper body reached out his arm touched his hand to the nob turned it bent his head to pucker up and blow the lamp out (I’m paraphrasing to make a point)]to ALL of everyone’s clothes & physical traits to inner beauty.... on & on & on.
There is some repetitive phrasing in the dialogue like “that’s not to say” “that being “ -the same in all KA’ s stuff- along with the listing like first off then second and lastly kinda thing & it drives me bonkers sometimes- especially with a full cast- cause her stuff kind of has a special rhythm.
Narration was good but sometimes I was smh at the choices. I think I’m just getting used to it & they r getting better.

Even though some of this stuff was too much, I still liked it overall & recommend this for KA fans especially! I don’t think this is the series to discover Kristen Ashley though. And these are NOT stand alones. They must be read in order.

Just a few socio-eco-political issues to ponder on along with some magic, romance, bickering, miscommunications, fighting, making up, heavy petting, now, not yet, push, pull, anger, loss, heartbreak, and happiness. This is a rollercoaster! I am getting ALL the feels!

Just A FEW of the Topics in The Rising series so- far:

Social anxiety
Low self esteem due to child abuse or neglect
Bad Dads
Sibling rivalry
Pre-wedding traditions in different cultures (piercings, getting stoned, wearing black, incense )
Sexual awakening / virginity/ faithfulness/ waiting til marriage / homosexuality/ bisexuality
Terrible in-laws
marriage outside own culture or religion or race
Indentured servitude
Animal cruelty
Rape
Misogyny
Bigotry against magic in a magic world
Soldiers w PTSD
Army of women warriors
Bullying
Single-parenting
Losing a spouse
Caring for elderly parents/ sick parent/ loss of parents
Making amends

Throw in a bunch of Royals, pixies, gnomes, sprites, unicorns , fairies, elves, dragons, mermaids, bad & good witches, gods, goddesses, a beast, along with all the Lore, the veil, an enchanted forest .....Magical!

Now on to part 3......

Great series of books

Wonderful series, great characters, story carefully crafted to keep the listeners attention...
Even better when you listen for a second time 📖

On The Edge Of My Seat

I have been anticipating this series for some time... KA has been teasing us with it for months. I have been dedicated to listening to this book..... with each new part I hear I become more addicted <3 Mars and Silence are my favorite couple!! I have become an adoring champion for each couple! The first two parts have definitely packed a punch with each installment. I do not know how I can wait til Jan 21 for the next part. We are left with a huge OMG moment!

PSA to those who are not fans of curse words, detailed sex, and violence should probably not start this series. The violence is not in ghastly detail, but mentioned.

I am a huge KA fan will be counting down the days till the next two parts!!

Huge spoilers for her other books

This is a great series and it’s definitely worth reading BUT if you, like myself are in the middle of her fantasyland series, DO NOT listen to this book until you finish that series. I’m kind of mad, sure I like the idea of introducing other characters from her other books, but they went into way too much detail from a completely other series. Why? Huge spoilers for no reason. Also the voice actor for Farrah is not my favorite.