Crystal Shard (Paladins of Crystal #1) by Nicola M. Cameron
@Archaeolibrary, @debbiereadsbook, @YesItsNicolaC,
#ReverseHarem, #Paranormal, #Romance,
A week ago I was working at Sav-R-Mart. Now I’m helping five gorgeous shifters track down a stolen pendant. It beats cleaning up on Aisle Nine.
I’m only twenty-one and I’m already tired of being broke, getting harassed by my boss, and life in general. So I asked the universe for a change.
That’s when I got pulled into another world where magic, gods, and shifters are real. Now I have an absent-minded muse, brand-new magical powers that I can’t quite control … and the Buff Lords. Five huge, hot, dangerous paladins who can turn into Big Cats. And I’m supposed to help them recover a stolen royal necklace.
But as I soon find out, all they really want is me…
*Book one in a five book paranormal reverse harem romance series. This is a mature new adult novel and contains situations that some readers might find offensive or triggering.
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5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oooooohhhhh! I loved this! I really did!
The thing I loved the most, was there wasn't that info dump you get in some fantasy books. When Crystal gets pulled into the rose bush and spat out the other side, she has to learn everything about where she now is. And as she learns, we learn. So, it comes in dribs and drabs, just enough for you to process that bit and move on to the next. Loved that, it meant I could fully engage with the characters, instead of trying to keep up with information. Excellent world building!
I loved that Crystal has her say in the first person, and the Paladins, her group of protectors at this point, have their say in the third. Different, yes, but I loved that it was.
And I say at this point, because given what happens at the end (which, to be honest I saw coming, but hey, still loved it!) things will change in future books.
I've not tagged it as romance or multi partner YET, cos there isn't any romance, and the only smexy times is in dreams, for both Crystal and the guys. But it's coming, oh yes, it's a-coming!
Obviously, things aren't smooth sailing, and I've an idea who might be wanting to cause all this trouble. I'm fairly certain they aren't done yet.
So, when is the next one out? Cos I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED it!
This is the second book of Cameron's I tried to read. I didn't much care for the first one, but this?? Bloody loved it!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Nicola Cameron is a married woman of a certain age who really likes writing about science fiction, fantasy, and romance. When not writing about those things, she likes to make Stuff™. And she may be rather fond of absinthe.
While possessing a healthy interest in romance (and sex) since puberty, it wasn’t until 2012 that she decided to write about it. The skills picked up during her SF writing career transferred quite nicely to speculative romance. Her To Be Written work queue currently stands at around nineteen books, and her mojito-sodden Muse swans in from Bali every so often to add to the list, cackling to herself all the while.
When not working, she’s usually making Stuff™, kissing her husband, or entertaining her cats.