I like Fantasy. WHAT? Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

Posted January 25, 2016 by FMA in 4 Stars - It quenched my addiction!, Ratings

I like Fantasy. WHAT? Wildest Dreams by Kristen AshleyWildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, Newsletter
Series: Fantasyland #1
Also in this series: The Golden Dynasty, Fantastical, Broken Dove, Midnight Soul
on August 15th 2011
Pages: 536
Genres: Romance, Fantasy
four-half-stars

Goodreads

Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.


Review-Wildest-Dreams

❝You never have a choice but to live in the now. And this, my wee Finnie, this is where we will live. We will always live in our now.❞

If you follow me on social media, my blog or even Goodreads, then you know I have professed (many times) to not like PNR or Fantasy. It has never been anything that caught my eye, interested me nor held my attention. I found I was always unable to suspend belief and let the story take over.

I have now read 38 Kristen Ashley books. It is clear by those numbers that she is a favorite author of mine. But still, I had been afraid to try her Fantasyland series. It wasn’t until my friends — Rachel at Rachel Reads Ravenously and Lana at Dirty Girl Romance — convinced me to try Kristen Ashley’s Fantasyland series, that I found I could no longer make a blanket statement like, “I don’t like PNR” or “I don’t like fantasy”. Because, much to my surprise, I loved ‘Wildest Dreams‘.

Message from Rachel Reads Ravenously
Message from Rachel Reads Ravenously

It has been taking me awhile to finish a book. I found I had been easily distracted, taking 2-4 days just to read a 250-300 page novel. But not ‘Wildest Dreams’. I finished this 536-page book in a 24 hour period!

I loved that I was transported to another world where my imagination ran wild. I loved seeing the fairytale places in my head, all the while, feeling the love these characters had for one another. I loved the allegiance they had to their country, the good versus evil, the devotion to the greater good.

Seoafin Wilde was living on earth. She had an opportunity to be transported to an “alternate universe” where she would switch places with her “twin” for one year. While in this new place called Lunwyn, she would also see her parent’s twins. (The King and Queen!!) Her own parents died when she was 15. “Finnie” is an adventurous sort. She loves riding the edge of danger, taking chances and experiencing life. So it was no surprise that when the witch Valentine offered her this chance, she jumped on it, even with very little information as to what awaited her there.

❝…this adventure was going to be a lot better than I imagined. Maybe even beyond my wildest dreams.❞

What she quickly found out was that she was switching places with Princess Sjofn, who was set to marry Frey Drakkar that very day. He is a man, who on first glance, is extremely frightening. He is gruff and big, like huge! The two must marry and produce an heir to the throne, in order to save the country. Which could be difficult since The Drakkar does not like the “real” Sjofn? Finnie makes quick work in changing his mind about her. She is so completely different from Princess Sjofn, that Frey is enraptured by her.

❝She waits for me at windows and buys me dragons. There are reasons we walk this earth. I’m coming to realize mine.❞

What started as awkward, turns into a beautiful love story, one full of devotion and acts of love. These two together are a funny, adorable couple. But individually, their characters are awesome! I loved her strength, her awe and her willingness to try new things. I loved his devotion, to his land, to the greater good, and to Finnie.

❝You are, my wee Finnie, beyond my wildest dreams.❞

So suffice it to say, I would absolutely, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt, recommend this to everyone! I am on to book #2, The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland #2). I have been assured by the Dirty Girl that this book is the best in the series!

BTW, MY FRIENDS ROCK! Thank you, xoxo

four-half-stars

About Kristen Ashley

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen’s Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.

Nothing’s changed.

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she’s blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.

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12 responses to “I like Fantasy. WHAT? Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

  1. Did you see KA liked the tweet I did. I wonder if she read your review? I always get excited when she likes and retreats my stuff. I’m such a fangirl 🙂

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