Sometimes the truth can be the hardest thing to find—especially when it comes from within.
Despite the recent loss of his parents, Ash Woodhart is content living with his siblings, deep in the southern countryside of his family’s domain. Ren, an aloof boy with no home and no family, is an intrusion forced on Ash by his eldest brother. Ash dislikes Ren on sight, but as the years pass and the two come to understand each other, his feelings for Ren gradually morph into something more. However, Ren shows no sign of reciprocating those feelings—and as Ash’s recklessness leads him into danger, the truth may come too late.
Book Title: Truth in the Wind
Author: Diana Waters
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Cover Artist: Martine Jardin
Book Release Date: August 7, 2020
Pairing: MM
Genre/s: Fantasy
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 32 000 words / 101 pages
The book is part of a series, but is designed to be read as a standalone piece as well – while a few previous book details are alluded to, no prior knowledge of the series is necessary to enjoy the story as a whole.
The story does not end on a cliffhanger.
Amazon US
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I need to kick off my review by saying the review request stated that this book could be read as a standalone with no prior knowledge of the series.
They are wrong. I didn’t read the rest of the series and I’m hoping the questions could be explained by doing so, but as the other book blurbs refer to different characters I don’t suppose so. I’m going to have to base my review on this book alone.
This is fantasy. A wealthy family that live away from the city. There was a war that happened ten years prior but no indication of any sort of immediate danger.
Which is why I never understood why one of our characters at ten years old when the story starts, is given a bodyguard. (A twelve year old) The older brother explains he is really a “companion” but Ash is never allowed to go anywhere without Ren, and Ren seems to have some sort of sixth sense meaning Ash can never shake him (Also never explained.)
We are never told why Ash’s twin brother and younger sister don’t merit their own bodyguards, or who or why the older brother thinks Ash needs one but no one else does.
The family seem to have an ability to control weather – namely the wind. Ash only ever manages an occasional gust and is even given special tutors to help him master this, but no one ever says why. The ability is never used in the book except to half destroy a room by accident, and as a reader I was left wondering why it was ever mentioned in the first place.
Ash eventually falls in love with Ren at which point I pretty much gave up. Ren gets blamed for an injury to Ash, and Ash despite never being given any reason to think he can’t tell the truth, let’s Ren take the blame then wallows in pity for a few weeks until Ren comes back.
This could have been so good. A little external conflict, a lot more word building, and some good beta readers to ask these sort of questions would make a promising storyline.
2 pieces of eye candy
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