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pooled ink ReviewsTop Contributor: Fantasy Books
4.0 out of 5 stars Disney for the wicked and hungry
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019
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I got some real Sleeping Beauty/Disney princess vibes from this one but tailored for a more, eh, mature audience. Lol. Cora wakes up in a true fairytale land full of bright color, sweet talking birds, and a handsome prince sworn to protect her, but it all comes crashing down as she unwittingly unleashes a cataclysmic curse leading to the kidnapping of her sister, the evil cackling of a powerful witch, and a prince who wants nothing to do with her. All of this is made worse by the fact that Cora is not in fact the cold-hearted, lazy, manipulative girl they think she is, in fact she's an innocent snatched out of her world and dropped into one that makes her eyes wide as she takes in the enchanting beauty around her even while the people in her path make her gnash her teeth angrily at the injustice of being treated as someone she isn't. But how can she convince them she's a doppelgänger from another world and innocent of the other Cora's crimes?

Honestly if you've been enjoying this series so far then you'll love this book too. Not as violent and rough to read as book 2/The Golden Dynasty (for those of you who did not enjoy that one) but still just as swoony as the others while following the enemies-to-lovers theme. This one though has the bonus of witnessing a fairytale prince having to absorb our world for a time and that was just as much fun to read!
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Joann
5.0 out of 5 stars OMG- so, so good!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2016
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I swear that no one but Kristen Ashley can make me fall head over heels for every man that she writes. It just isn't possible for anyone else to do. And I really thought it was going to be a challenge for her with this series. I could not have been more wrong. This series is the one that I honestly felt I would have no interest in, because I had never before had the urge to read of other realms, elves, dragons and witches. But this is KA- I should have known better than to doubt the Queen. If anyone can make me want to devour a book of this kind- it is this woman!!
That said, Tor Hawthorne has been the hardest for me to like so far of the series. Yep, I said it. I actually had issues with one of KA's men. How can that be possible, you say? Well, because from the beginning of the book- Tor treated Cora worse than a bug on the bottom of his shoe. He was blinded by his hate for his "other" Cora, so much so, that he refused to see that this Cora was absolutely nothing like the last, and could no way be of his world. He refused to even entertain the possibility that magic could be at play, even as he knew that it existed in his world, and that it surrounded him daily. So, he treated Cora like dirt. He was cruel to her, he was physical with her, and even relished in the times that he made her cry, even when deep down- I think he knew it was wrong. He only thought she was playing a game with him, in order to please herself, and accomplish her own selfish goals. And that, well that hurt my heart. I couldn't stand to see one of KA's men be cruel to the woman that I knew he would grow to love, to cherish, and to ultimately vow to give everything for.
If there was ever a man that had some 'splainin to do- it was Tor. He had so much to redeem himself for- he may as well have decided to make himself a permanent statue on his knees at the alter of Cora.
But Cora, in all of her gracious beauty and kindness, could not make him suffer as he should've. She opened her heart, not only to Tor, but to his world and his people- even if they refused to do so to her, as the "other" Cora has treated them no better than Tor had treated her. So, not only did Cora have to teach Tor how to learn to love her- not the former evil Cora, but she had to teach an entire kingdom to as well. Luckily, she was one of the most determined heroines that KA has ever written. And for that, I loved her. She is definitely one of my all time favorites. I think I cried every time that she did, and my heart hurt as much as hers every time that Tor was a jerk, or they were ripped apart, as well I rejoiced when he finally redeemed himself (in a freaking HUGE way), and when they were ultimately reunited.
This series, as much as I originally thought it bizarre, is now one of my faves of Kristen Ashley's as it is so unique, so unreal- yet genuine, and so damn beautiful. I am now doing re-reads, just to get ready for Midnight Soul- something that I CANNOT flipping wait for!! So, next up for me, a re-visit with the luscious Apollo and Ilsa, and then on to Noc-- yippee!!!
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Jill
4.0 out of 5 stars I devoured this book
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2019
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I really enjoyed book 3 of the Fantasyland series. Tor and Cora were both really likeable and I was quickly invested in both of them and their story. Once I started Fantastical, I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in one day. It wasn't my favorite of the series but well worth the read. It's probably my 3rd favorite, with Book 1 my absolute favorite. It was awesome to see a brief glimpse of the main characters from the first two books. I'm super anxious to see what happens next. The biggest let down for me is that the end pretty much leaves us hanging for what happens next for all of them with the new drama that came about in the epilogue. I just love this series and these characters so much, I need everything for all of their futures.

Overall, I give Fantastical 4-4.5 stars. Probably only because books 1 and 2 blew it out of the water and were easily 5+ star books and this one just didn't achieve that level of rocking my world.
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Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVING THIS MAGICAL SERIES.
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2018
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While each of these books are standalones, they happen in the same parallel universe and consist of the same characters. There is a big event that is coming and each book is leading up to that event. So although you could read this book alone, it would best be enjoyed by starting at the beginning. Besides, the first two books in this series are great so no reason not to enjoy them all.

Cora had no idea a parallel universe existed until she woke up in a strange beautiful world and assumed she was dreaming. That didn’t last long however, because her actions caused the start of a centuries old curse. Tor may have saved her, but she discovered that he was her husband in this world and he absolutely despised her. She quickly learned the Cora of this world was a b$&#h to everyone she met, was selfish and widely disliked.

I loved Tor. Although he was cold to Cora at first, you soon learn the reasons why, and it became obvious he had been hurt terribly by the other world Cora. He’s gorgeous and protective and underneath it all, the man is gentle, sweet and tender. Cora is adorable. She’s friendly and is deeply hurt by the reaction she receives from everyone. She learns quickly that looking like the other Cora has it’s drawbacks. But Cora is beautiful and she is strong, and she is determined not to give up.

I’ve fallen in love with this alternate universe and the people there. I cannot wait to start the next book to see what happens next.
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Top reviews from other countries

Deborah
3.0 out of 5 stars Weakest link
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2013
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This book for me is the weak link in this series although I know Golden Dynasty is a hard book to follow.
I don't know what it is about this book that I don't like but the first time I read it I felt a bit deflated, I assumed that after Wildest and Golden my expectations were just too high so I left it for a few months then tried again and still I didn't like it. I think partly it seems more like a fairy tale especially following on from Golden, it seemed very soft. Tor and Cora didn't really appeal to me either, which is unusual with Kristen's characters since that's generally one of her strengths, I also didn't particulary like the part where they travel back so all in all not the best in the series by a long way.
Recently I find I struggle a bit with rating Kristen's books, this wasn't an issue in the past since they were all 4 or 5 star but now for me it's difficult. If I compare Fantastical with At Peace, Motorcycle Man, Wildest, Golden, Until the Sun Falls from the Sky, you get the picture it falls well short, but how do I rate it. Own the wind and Fire Inside were the same I was disappointed with both these yet gave them both 4 stars, now compared with Kristen's best books these should get a 3 leaving Fantastical with a 2 but there's no way this is a fair rating since in my opinion even a disappointing Kristen book is still a good book in the grand scheme of things. One of the factors I take into account when reviewing is if I'd actually read the book again and with her recent work the answer is no I wouldn't, I did read Fantastical again but only to confirm my earlier opinion, Own the Wind, Fire Inside and I'm sorry to say Broken Dove are not books I'd revisit so again should this affect my rating?
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Berkshire BookWench
3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the first two books but readable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2016
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Cora Goode wakes in a land where birds speak that is definitely not her little apartment, while she is trying to get her head around the dream she has woken up in she makes a mistake which allows a centuries old curse to take hold, a hold that will be finalised if the evil Minerva gets her hands on Cora.

Noctorno (Noc) is married to the Cora of his world and he really doesn't like her very much and expresses this constantly. No matter how many times Cora tries to explain what she thinks has happened Noc reads this as yet another trick or trap and won't believe her.

It's not until he deliberately breaks her heart and she finds herself back into her home town that Noc suddenly wakes up. He travels to her world and one of the discussions they have is that maybe she and not the other Cora is actually his soul mate as this would fit with the heartbreak they both felt as she left his world.

As they struggle to remain together in both worlds Minerva tries and tries to pull Cora away but the battle lines have been drawn and declared as we meet more characters from both worlds who will come together to defeat the evil Minerva and her minions!
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Laura
4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2013
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I had only read The Golden Dynasty in this series which is absolutely brilliant but for some reason this and the first book never took my fancy but Kristen Ashley has now completed the fourth book in this series so announced the previous three books were on sale at 75p so I decided I would give them a go and I'm glad I did.

As with the other two books in this series, the fantasy world Kristen Ashley transports you into seems so real. Her descriptions of each world is so well written and feels so realistic. You can picture everything.

This is Cora and Tor's story which has a bit of a twist on the other two in that halfway through the story Tor ends up in our world. I wasn't sure at first whether I liked this aspect but then we meet Tor's 'twin' in our world 'Noc' and it made me smile how he was as alpha as all KA's heroes in her 'modern' books. I do hope Noc gets his own book.

As usual, the hero in the fantasy land is pure alpha and I loved Tor and his Princess Cora. In this book we learn more of the other couples in the previous books but also Apollo who is searching for his dead wife's twin in the parallel universe, Isla. He has been warned that it is not a good idea to bring her to his world but he insists. KA has just announced Apollo and Isla's story is complete and due for realse on 27 December - I can't wait.

If you are a KA fan but have overlooked these books thinking you wouldn't enjoy the 'fantasy' element then don't be put off. The stories are KA through and through and the hero is just a twist on her normal hot alpha males who will do anything to protect their woman!
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lally D
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical, just wonderful.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2014
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Loved it.
Yet another example of Kristen Ashley's romantic style.....can't get any better than that!

Fabulous characters, excitement, heart break, turmoil and love. Gorgeous alpha males, so sexy and strong,warriors with hearts. They all fall under the spell of their own heroines and will do everything in their power to protect and defend them.
War looms and they must join forces to defeat evil Minerva and her cohorts. Yet love abounds, you'll be routing for them and their families.

True romance at its best, I have read all of this series and couldn't put these books down. Don't know what I'm going to do now as I've read all Kirsten's books to date, definitely going to be having withdrawal symptoms!
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K Bartholomew
4.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad and the not at all ugly.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2018
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Cora is exquisite. Her beauty beyond compare however she is a selfish, spoilt cold woman. She is not at all likes. This is what our world Cora encounters when she wakes up in a strange land. People assume she is their Cora and react to her so. This story follows Cora on her adventures as she overcomes the hate and falls in love with a gorgeous Prince.
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