Wraith

By: Helen Harper

Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Saiya Buchanan is a wraith, able to detach her shadow from her body and send it off to do her bidding. But, unlike most of her kin, Saiya doesn't deal in death. Instead, she trades secrets - and in the goblin besieged city of Stirling in Scotland, they're a highly prized commodity. It might just be, however, that the goblins have been hiding the greatest secret of them all.

When Gabriel de Florinville, a Dark Elf, is sent as royal envoy into Stirling and takes her prisoner, Saiya is not only going to uncover the sinister truth. She's also going to realize that sometimes the deepest secrets are the ones locked within your own heart.

©2018 Helen Harper (P)2018 Tantor

Should have been a Trilogy 😒

I'm so happy I finally listened to this book. It was sitting in my library for a couple of months. I think i put it away because it started a bit slow, but this second time around that wasnt the case. I just fell into the story. So I misjudged this one a bit. My bad 😕

Set in a present day fantasy world, the city of Stirling has not only been taken over by the Goblins, it's also under siege. The citizens haven't left the walls of the city in over three years. Food and supplies are low. Our lead character, Saiya, has been able to feed herself by selling small secrets. She is able to get those secrets because she is a wraith. I won't explain, so read the book. When the Dark Elves come to investigaste how things are in Stirling, thats when things are set in motion.

I found WRAITH interesting but I don't think this was not a stand alone book. The lead character is the only known female Wraith... so how are Wraiths made? If its the old fashioned boy+girl way... or is it just something you're born as??? If she doesn't have babies with another wraith, then will their kind continue? The story isn't fast past or filled with action scenes, but instead has a suttle flow.

The writer is able to throw some funny scenes into the mix and the humor is cute.

Example:
"You mean by big f**** carrier pigeons?"

For some reason that line made me burst out laughing😄

The tension between the two characters feels a bit forced in the beginning but seems to adjust in its "pressure" throughout the book to be more believable. The instant love thing isnt my cup of tea. I prefer drama filled build ups.

Oh yea, did I miss the memo? Since when are Dark Elves "good"??? If an author is going to go against the normal assumptions then the author has to give a bit of explanation.

Also, in any book where magic is in the present day world AND out in the open, then it is assumed that humans are the majority. If that is true, then would the human world really allow a city of humans to be held captive, enslaved, tortured, and murdered without doing anything about it??? Nope. There would be coalitions and magic haters pounding at the gates. So if this is the case in this book, then why didn't anyone try to save the city? That's why I say that this bookk needed to at least be a urology but probably a trilogy. We could have gotten a back story on the world, the characters, a good rolled out love story, etc.

Another thing that bothered me is the point when Gabriel finds out that Saiya is a Wraith, he never acknowledges the things that he did to the Wraith he captured in the beginning of the book... wouldn't you think it would make him sick to his stomach or at least remorseful?

Hey Helen! You need a second book!

The narrator was Ruth Urquhart. I loved her Scottish accent. Her tone was soothing. She didn't rush the story nor did she overplay the action.

It was OK. Probably better as part of a series.

It had the feel of a romantic novel but with relatively little actual romance. The male romantic lead was a little too cookie cutter for my preference. But that is usually why I tend to avoid the genre. I don't know if the author intends to write a sequel or two but I'd probably read them. This seems to have unfulfilled potential.

Excellent escapism

Dometimes I like to listen to a book just for the pleasure of coding my eyes and listening to a foreign, fantasy. This definitely, filled that niche. Lots of fun.

couldn't stop listening

Truly enthralling. The story was amazing- a true modern fairytale world with wonderful characters. The reader did an impeccable job with the many voices.

another good Helen Harper book

While I liked the storyline, the ending seemed a bit abrupt and I feel like something was missing . It needed another 20min or so, to make it a better ending and not leave everything hanging , a bit more about rebuilding efforts.

Great narrator

I’ve never read anything from this author before but now I’ll be on the lookout for anything she writes. Very well written. The world building is brilliantly done, fitting into the story rather than just description. Saiya , the main character, is brave and bright and full of surprises. She survives in this sci-fi Scottish town by selling secrets she uncovers in her wraith form. The narrator was fantastic with the right accent. Really enjoyed this listen.

Terrific fantasy adventure and romance!

Wraith
By: Helen Harper
Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart
This is a stand alone book but boy do I wish it was a series! I love this book so much! This is an alternative world were there is goblins, trolls, elves, humans, and wraiths. (Probably more too.) Our main gal is a wraith. She can leave her physical body and her shadow body can travel. She is not a killer. She spies to gather info and exchanges that info for food and medicine. One day she is caught spying by a dark elf. He thinks she is an assassin. Things get very complicated, especially when he finds out she is his soulmate! Lots of action, suspense, and great fantasy topped with a touch of romance!
Great narration too!

Fantastic stand alone paranormal romance

I really enjoyed this! It kept me guessing but moved along fast... I listened to it in 2 sittings and was never bored...

Addicting listen, but includes horrible romantics

I kind of liked the narration, especially the difference in characters. I struggled to finish because of the romanticising of the fact that the leading male was forcing himself on the leading character (female), and the way she seemed to act out of character and pleased when he did so. On the other hand, the underlying lesson of the whole book seems to be that optimism, determination, care for others, and believing in yourself are the keys to success in any situation - and of course, that's a positive lesson to teach.

Stick with it

It’s starts a little slow, mainly for character development. In the beginning you may feel inclined to MoveOn but stick with it past the first few chapters and you will be pleasantly surprised. It is the first book I have listen to for this author. It Is good enough to seek out more.