Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
Leslie Anne Cook’s Ethereal Call is a magical fantasy about a sarcastic Fae named Kyra. While on Earth, she is discovered by two disguised male Fae, Micah and Lazlo, who claim she is royalty. They want to bring her back to their realm, but Kyra refuses and tries to evade them. When she thinks she is safe and is preparing to disappear, vampires attack Kyra. As she attempts to fend off the horde, Micah and Lazlo come to her aid. Unfortunately, Kyra sustains critical injuries and falls unconscious. When Kyra wakes, she discovers the two men have brought her to the Fae Realm. Kyra becomes mated to Micah and Lazlo, and while sleeping, she begins having vivid dreams that revive suppressed memories of her childhood. A dryad has begun to visit her, stating she needs to collect seeds from the life tree Kyra’s mother had guarded. Kyra’s determination causes Micah and Lazlo to assist her in the quest. Time is of the essence as the dryad is fading away from existence.
Leslie Anne Cook crafted a clear image of Kyra’s inner conflict. Each memory that surfaced caused Kyra to question her identity. She was very independent while she was on Earth, but in the Fae Realm, she was forced to recognize she needed to work with others. I enjoyed watching Kyra progress into a more compassionate character. The pace of Ethereal’s Call is quick due to the intensity of the emotions and action. The story is very vivid in the descriptions of the surroundings and events. My favorite part of the story involved Echo and Uboh. Uboh reminded me of a normal child, being impulsive and inquisitive in everything around him. Echo reminded me of a frustrated parent when he would try to intervene in Uboh’s actions. The humor and relatable dialogue of the story kept my interest, and I wanted to keep reading. The ending adds suspense to the series. There are sexual scenes and some instances of profanity, so I would recommend only adult readers for this emotionally charged fantasy. I look forward to reading the sequel to see how Kyra and her friends evolve.
Available in E-Book, Paperback &Audio.
A fantasy tale that builds in both thrills and enchantment…
With untapped power in her possession and a pair of male fae at her side, an unpopular witch gets ready to unveil the secrets of her identity and heritage in Cook’s latest. When Kyra Vale Aiwler arrives on earth, she has only one thing on her mind: complete the assignment for her coven and return to her realm. But crossing paths with a Fae bartender, Micah Rao, is just the beginning of her troubles. Critically injured in a fight with a vampire, Kyra is left on the mercy of Micah and his fae brother Lazlo. While recovering in the fae realm, Kyra begins to remember the hazy memories of her childhood and realizes her past is not what she always thought it to be. Cook’s storytelling is engrossing, and she seamlessly weaves fantastical elements into the emotionally charged, action-packed narrative. While witchcraft, dark magic, mystery, romance, adventure, and political intrigue pervade the narrative, Kyra’s search for her identity is the clear catalyst here. Cook skillfully and believably depicts the gradual change in Kyra as the latter tries to adjust to the new circumstances of her life. The hilarious dialogue combined with the dynamic characters and their interactions with one another, especially Echo and Uboh’s sweet banter, are refreshing, providing light and liveliness to a story centered on darkness, magic, and political intrigue. Incorporating modern sensibilities and a sprawling world drawn from magical elements, Cook has delivered a page-turning read.
https://theprairiesbookreview.com/?p=13337
https://bookviewreview.com/2022/05/20/bookview-review-ethereals-call-by-leslie-cook/
https://www.facebook.com/theprairiesbookreview
