Monday, November 23, 2015

ARC Review: Once Upon A [Stolen] Time by Samreen Ahsan

Title: Once Upon A [Stolen] Time
Author: Samreen Ahsan
Publication: December 1st 2015
Genre: Fantasy ~ Romance ~ Fairy Tale
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 3/5

Review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.


 

2015…
All her life, Myra Farrow has been obsessed with medieval castles—and the kings and princes who once inhabited them. Now, wealthy videogame designer Steve Bernard wants her to model for a princess character in his new game. Myra can’t resist his offer, especially when she learns that Steve plans to film inside the mysterious Hue Castle—a cursed, barren, colorless place forbidden to visitors for centuries. But unknown to Myra, her soul is bound to Hue Castle by blood and sorcery. When she enters its doors, she awakens dark powers that will reach through time—stealing her past, torturing her present, and rewriting her future.

1415…
Edward Hue, the last of the Hue royal bloodline, has never stood in the sunshine or held a living flower. Cursed from birth to live in darkness and bring death to all he touches, he is at the mercy of his cruel, tyrannical father, who will not rest until he shatters Edward’s soul and makes his son into a diabolical copy of himself. Edward’s one hope is the mysterious woman who haunts his dreams—who will either break his curse and bring him out of the darkness, or destroy him utterly.

For Myra and Edward, past and future collide in a tale of love, obsession, betrayal, and the hope for redemption.


I definitely liked the story of Once Upon A [Stolen] Time but unfortunately I didn't fully love it. There were really good parts but also parts that I didn't like so much. The writing, though, was outstanding!

I found myself not liking Myra all that much, to be honest. I'm not really sure what it was about her but I guess I just didn't like her personality. Edward I did like more. He lives in 1415 and I'm a bit of a history nerd, so maybe that was the reason why.

I also found the story a bit too complex at times. Especially the arranged marriage between Myra and Steve (although Myra initially doesn't go along with it) felt a bit much. I also wasn't a fan of Steve as a character in the story. I don't know... something about him rubbed me the wrong way.

Edward lives in 1415, which I thought was a really great addition to the story. I love stories about two people living in different times but find each other somehow. Also, the story has fairy tale elements but it's also pretty dark, which for some parts I liked but others not so much. I really went back and forth with this book.

Like I said, I thought the writing was outstanding and it really was. I think if it wasn't written as well as it was I would've liked it less. Some parts were really beautifully written. 

Overall, Once Upon A [Stolen] Time by Samreen Ahsan was a likable fairy tale and fantasy romance. The ending definitely left me wondering what will happen next. I did wish I had liked it more in general because sometimes it was hard to want to keep reading, unfortunately. 



       About the Author:

       Website |  Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

History, art and literature are my passions. I love digging out information about prophecies, divine miracles and paranormal events that are mentioned in history and holy books, that don't sound possible in today's modern world.

Since childhood, I have been into reading and writing—and yes, it can't happen without imagination, which luckily has no boundaries. Dance and music are also pastimes I enjoy, as well as reading romance fiction. I love to travel and explore historical cities. I currently live in Toronto, Canada.

A Prayer Series is my first story about paranormal events based on Islamic concepts.

My new book: Once Upon A [Stolen] Time is a romantic fantasy fairytale.

I am the official judge of 2015 World's Best Story


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