MADLY (Madly #1)
Madly is your average nearly-eighteen year old girl—for a princess, that is.
Madly James is thoroughly enjoying her internship in the small town of Slumber when the unthinkable happens—there’s a prison break in Atlas, the magically-protected home of Madly’s race. A traitor has set free eight Lore, the spirits of what humans know as fairy tales, and they are making their way to Slumber to awaken their descendants.
In order to save her home, the lives of her family, and all of humanity, Madly must learn to wield her exceptional powers and recapture the Lore before it’s too late and all is lost. But Madly’s only help are her two best friends and the Sentinel, Jackson Hamilton, that threatens both her heart and her destiny. Madly has loved Jackson as long as she can remember, but he is the one thing even a princess can’t have. Can she resist love to become the queen she was fated to be? Or can she find a way to have both?
This novelette introduces you to Madly and prepares you for the quest of a lifetime.
Madly James is thoroughly enjoying her internship in the small town of Slumber when the unthinkable happens—there’s a prison break in Atlas, the magically-protected home of Madly’s race. A traitor has set free eight Lore, the spirits of what humans know as fairy tales, and they are making their way to Slumber to awaken their descendants.
In order to save her home, the lives of her family, and all of humanity, Madly must learn to wield her exceptional powers and recapture the Lore before it’s too late and all is lost. But Madly’s only help are her two best friends and the Sentinel, Jackson Hamilton, that threatens both her heart and her destiny. Madly has loved Jackson as long as she can remember, but he is the one thing even a princess can’t have. Can she resist love to become the queen she was fated to be? Or can she find a way to have both?
This novelette introduces you to Madly and prepares you for the quest of a lifetime.
MADLY & Wolfhardt (Madly #2)
Madly
James is thoroughly enjoying her internship in the small town of
Slumber when the unthinkable happens—there’s a prison break in Atlas,
the magically-protected home of Madly’s race. A traitor has set free
eight Lore, the spirits of what humans know as fairy tales, and they are
making their way to Slumber to awaken their descendants.
The first spirit to arrive is that of Ulrich Wolfhardt, a man that was once obsessed with wolves and a young maiden he would follow through the woods. After a bite from a wolf, Wolfhardt’s obsession with the girl became an unnatural hunger and the young maiden’s grandmother cursed him with a fate worse than death. And now he’s back…with a vengeance and a bite that can infect others as well.
Madly must learn the identity of Wolfhardt’s descendant and stop him before he kills again and spreads his curse across the earth. But the only person strong enough to help Madly is Jackson, the Sentinel who vowed to protect her and the one person capable of breaking her heart. Can Madly resist forbidden love long enough to save the world from Wolfhardt? Or will she have to sacrifice her heart and her destiny to save the ones she loves?
The first spirit to arrive is that of Ulrich Wolfhardt, a man that was once obsessed with wolves and a young maiden he would follow through the woods. After a bite from a wolf, Wolfhardt’s obsession with the girl became an unnatural hunger and the young maiden’s grandmother cursed him with a fate worse than death. And now he’s back…with a vengeance and a bite that can infect others as well.
Madly must learn the identity of Wolfhardt’s descendant and stop him before he kills again and spreads his curse across the earth. But the only person strong enough to help Madly is Jackson, the Sentinel who vowed to protect her and the one person capable of breaking her heart. Can Madly resist forbidden love long enough to save the world from Wolfhardt? Or will she have to sacrifice her heart and her destiny to save the ones she loves?
MADLY & The Jackal (Madly #3)
How deep does love run? Deeper than the ocean? Deeper than memory? Deeper than magic?
Following their plan to save Atlas, Madly and Jackson return the spirit of Wolfhardt to his prison beneath the sea. But even the best laid plans couldn’t account for the surprises they find. This time, Lore aren’t their only challenges.
Madly is special in ways no one could have guessed and dark forces seek to control her. They want her power, but first they must weaken her. They need her beaten. Vulnerable. Near death. And alone. But that task isn’t an easy one with Jackson at her side. The strongest of their kind, the only way to separate Jackson from Madly is to destroy his love for her, to erase it from his mind. And his heart.
Is it possible to steal Jackson’s love from Madly? Or is their love the only truly unbreakable thing?
Following their plan to save Atlas, Madly and Jackson return the spirit of Wolfhardt to his prison beneath the sea. But even the best laid plans couldn’t account for the surprises they find. This time, Lore aren’t their only challenges.
Madly is special in ways no one could have guessed and dark forces seek to control her. They want her power, but first they must weaken her. They need her beaten. Vulnerable. Near death. And alone. But that task isn’t an easy one with Jackson at her side. The strongest of their kind, the only way to separate Jackson from Madly is to destroy his love for her, to erase it from his mind. And his heart.
Is it possible to steal Jackson’s love from Madly? Or is their love the only truly unbreakable thing?
Series Review:
The Madly series is some of the best mermaid fiction I've ever read. I'm not a huge fan of mermaid fiction, but this series has endeared itself to me. The first book in the series, Madly, is a short novella that introduces the reader to the characters, the world of Atlas and Slumber, and to the back story of the series. Even though the first book is really short, I immediately fell in love with the storyline and the characters. Madly is a fiesty heroine who also happens to be Mer royalty. Her relationship with Jackson is super intense and only gets better as the series develops.
The second and third books in the series were full length novels, which made me excited. The story continues effortlessly from each book into the next, which makes for great flow. The characters grow and gain more depth with each novel, which makes them all the more realistic and easy to root for. As I mentioned, the romance between Madly and Jackson is really steamy. I normally don't care for a ton of romance in young adult fiction because it comes off as corny, but this relationship was spot on for me. The scenes between Madly and Jackson are so well written that my toes were tingling and I had butterflies in my stomach. I rarely get physical reactions from novels, and when I do - I know that it is something really well done.
I really liked how the author explained the back story of the Mer culture and history, as well as the history of Slumber and its inhabitants. She went above and beyond by not just writing about mermaids, but including other interesting beings - such as the Lore and Seers, which I thought added a ton of uniqueness to the series. The series deals with serious issues that all readers can identify with; ones like family, friends, fate, courage, love, and responsibility. It's definitely a fresh voice in the mermaid and young adult genre. I honestly can't say enough about this series. It captured my imagination, my mind, and my heart early on. I couldn't stop reading the books, and I certainly didn't want them to end. This is honestly one of the best young adult series I've ever read. Highly, highly recommended!
The second and third books in the series were full length novels, which made me excited. The story continues effortlessly from each book into the next, which makes for great flow. The characters grow and gain more depth with each novel, which makes them all the more realistic and easy to root for. As I mentioned, the romance between Madly and Jackson is really steamy. I normally don't care for a ton of romance in young adult fiction because it comes off as corny, but this relationship was spot on for me. The scenes between Madly and Jackson are so well written that my toes were tingling and I had butterflies in my stomach. I rarely get physical reactions from novels, and when I do - I know that it is something really well done.
I really liked how the author explained the back story of the Mer culture and history, as well as the history of Slumber and its inhabitants. She went above and beyond by not just writing about mermaids, but including other interesting beings - such as the Lore and Seers, which I thought added a ton of uniqueness to the series. The series deals with serious issues that all readers can identify with; ones like family, friends, fate, courage, love, and responsibility. It's definitely a fresh voice in the mermaid and young adult genre. I honestly can't say enough about this series. It captured my imagination, my mind, and my heart early on. I couldn't stop reading the books, and I certainly didn't want them to end. This is honestly one of the best young adult series I've ever read. Highly, highly recommended!
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Before you enter for the giveaway, make sure you get your ebook copy of MADLY - it's currently being offered for FREE on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!!
This is a brand new author and series for me but the book excerpts sound great and I enjoyed your review which is prompting me to go and start on book one tonight. Thanks for giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYour review was absolutely AWESOME! OMG I am thrilled beyond words that you enjoyed it so much! THANK YOU! Seriously. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you:).
ReplyDeleteGreat review. This is an awesome series. I absolutely fell in love with it.
ReplyDeleteAnything M. Leighton is Fantabulous!! Loved Madly!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win! I've had my eyes on this series for a while!
ReplyDeleteThis series sounds amazing! Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWith so many new books coming out, it's hard to decide what a good story is and what is mediocre at best. I rely on bloggers like you to give me your spin. After reading your review, I'll definitely add this to my TBR list. Thanks for informing us about the first novella being free on Amazon. I've downloaded it so I can start reading it tonight.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway opportunity. I really want to win these books! lol
Great review, sounds like a great book, great giveaway and SUPER great that i don't have to wait and see if i win the giveaway to read the first book! Thanks for having it free on Amazon!
ReplyDelete