Starling by Lesley Livingston
Starling
Starling by Lesley Livingston on goodreads:
Mason Starling is a champion fencer on the Gosforth Academy team, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Not until the night a ferocious, otherworldly storm rips through Manhattan, trapping Mason and her teammates inside the school. Mason is besieged by nightmarish creatures more terrifying than the thunder and lightning as the raging tempest also brings a dangerous stranger into her life: a young man who remembers nothing but his name–the Fennrys Wolf. His arrival tears Mason’s world apart, even as she feels an undeniable connection to him. Together, they seek to unravel the secrets of Fenn’s identity as strange and supernatural forces gather around them. When they discover Mason’s family–with its dark allegiance to ancient Norse gods–is at the heart of the mystery, Fennrys and Mason are suddenly faced with a terrifying future.
Set against the gritty, shadowed back-drop of New York City, this first novel in award-winning author Lesley Livingston’s epic Starling Saga is an intoxicating blend of sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action.
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Ever since I heard the announcement that Lesley Livingston was going to write another series, I was hooked! I read and loved her famous Wondrous Strange series, which dealt with Faries. When I then heard that this new series was going to be about Nordic Lore and myth I was even more excited!
Starting with a Bäääm and a naked Boy.
Don’t you like it when a book starts off with an explosive opening scenery? While we do not jump directly into such a scene the first chapter was thrilling and managed to suck me into the story right away. Not only do strange and weird things happen, but we also meet a naked gorgeous sword wielding badass boy who rescues our main character Mason! YEAH! Thanks for this intro Mrs Livingston! Normally, we are slowly getting introduced to such paranormal events, here there is not much fuzz in the beginning and rather we jump right in!
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Gorgeous gothic New York Setting with ancient Nordic lore
The setting was phenomenal as was the world building! Mason, our heroine attends an old New York boarding school, which has a mysterious history we are about to learn about quite a lot. The combination of urban setting and the old Nordic legends was a phenomenal mix that made me fall in love with the story just so much more.
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Heroic Bad ass and a fencing girl
Mason was the perfect lead for this story. Coming from an old wealthy family she’s trained in fencing, but despite her bravery she’s very unaware of the fascination she holds for the males surrounding her. Gorgeous strong and shy she was a voice I loved to follow.
But, as often it’s more the male heroes I fall for much harder and Fenrys is the absolute perfect hero!!! He’s all I ever want for in literature! Handsome, badass and protective are just a few adjectives to describe this boy/man. He comes into this story and has no idea who and more importantly what he is. But, together with Mason they are trying to resolve the mystery surrounding him!
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Multiple perspectives add to the richness of the story.
Even though Mason’s perspective would be considered as the main perspective, we get also glimpses into other characters which is both important and intruding. Especially considering that the stroyline and lore is so rich, we actually need the different perceptions so that we don’t feel lost. The whole story is compelling and enticing and it was easy to get totally drawn into this world!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Starling comes with a phenomenal and thrilling set of characters. Girls can swoon over Fenrys and connect to Mason. The gorgeous New Yorker setting adds to an incredible story that only scratched the surface of an ancient lore. Starling will easily be one of my favorite paranormal series where I will eagerly await the sequel.
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Additional Info
Starling by Lesley Livingston
UNABRIDGED | 8 hrs and 1 min| Narrated by Lesley Livingston
(this book is amazon Whisper Sync ready)
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I LOVED the Wonderous Strange series and Once Every Never so I cannot wait to read this one!!!! I’m so glad you liked it Danny! I know it iwll be amazing.
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I love books that explode right at the start too. As long as they hold up throughout the book.
BTW…what do you think is your average rating? I’d say mine is 3.5-4. I tend to be on the generous side. Although it’s rare to go above 4.
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Holy crap I loved this book so much! Really I just love Lesley’s books in general, but this one is my favorite. I loved that Fenn was a MC! I’m so glad you liked this too!
KM recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: This Is What Happy Looks Like, by Jennifer E. Smith
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I adore Lesley Livingston’s books so I really need to get my hands on this one. I think I’ll be on the look out for the audio too. It sounds great.
Lori recently posted..Review: I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
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Wow, this sounds great! I’ve seen it around but never really looked into it. Great review! This looks like something I should pick up.
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Is it bad that my eyes went right to the words “naked boy” and that alone was enough to make me want to get in my car and run to the bookstore? I can’t help it Danny! I’ve been dying for this one every since we talked about it, so I think this weekend I need to make a little trip out to B&N and get my hands on Fenrys.
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If I didn’t already have this one staring at me from my shelf, I’d run and go buy it now.
I am really intrigued by the beginning..not just because there’s a naked guy, but because any book with a “wow” beginning I typically love.
I didn’t know Starling was set in the same dimension, so that has me wanting to read it more. If I can just get my next few books done…haha! Great review, Danny!
Amanda @ Letters Inside Out recently posted..Excerpt + Giveaway: Going Under by Georgia Cates #INTL
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I have this one on my wishlist already but I haven’t really read any reviews so I’m SO excited about it now! It sounds amazing and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Candace recently posted..Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
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I love the Wondous Strange series and Fenrys was one of my favourite characters! I’m glad to know this one was such an amazing read .. I need my dose of faeries so I can’t wait to read it !! Thanks for the fab review Danny
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Wow I love that it just jumps right in and starts with a bang and I am all about gorgeous scenery and awesome world building. Gothic New York, cool! I am adding this to the TBR!
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Yaaay this sounds so awesome! I love mythology and lore, and Gothic like settings! And Mason sounds like such an amazing character. I haven’t read anything by Lesley yet, but I have Starling on my shelf and now I’m even more excited to read it! xD
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I am dying to read this one! I love Lesley Livingston so much. I fell head over heels in love with the Wondrous Strange trilogy. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
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AHHH! This has been a hard week on my checkbook. way too many good books popping up all over the place. And you know how I like my bad-assed characters, especially those who can wield a sword! I’m in.
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Why yes, I do like it when a book starts off explosively! The setting sounds FANTASTIC. I don’t know if I would have checked this out before but next time I see at the library, I definitely will. <3
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I’ve heard of really great things about this book! Your review just makes me want to read it all the more!
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This sounds so good!!! I was hesitant about reading this but your review totally convinced me to give it a try!! I was just reading your review then it was like, Naked boy. I immediately was like, SO READING THIS.. LOL
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