I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Meara: A Contemporary Fantasy Romance by Anya Wylde on May 31, 2022
Genres: Fantasy & Magic
Pages: 487
Format: eARC
Source: Provided by author for honest review
Goodreads
Meara lives an ordinary life with her eccentric grandmother and three siblings in a small Georgian house in Dublin. On her eighteenth birthday, her little sister is kidnapped by an incredibly powerful man, and her entire world turns upside down.
A whisper of someone like her being born has been discussed for aeons by the gods. The question is, who is she, and where is she?
Meara lives an ordinary life with her eccentric grandmother and three siblings in a small Georgian house in Dublin. On her eighteenth birthday, her little sister is kidnapped by an incredibly powerful man, and her entire world turns upside down.
Long hidden family secrets tumble out, and supernatural beings suddenly surround her. However, she thinks she is a side character, the hero's friend and the heroine's sister. After all, her nature is more girl-next-door than a tortured soul with ninja fighting skills.
Her only desire is to get her sister back and keep her safe but to do so, she must battle dangerous beings and reign in her treacherous heart, which has begun to beat for her family's sworn enemy, a gorgeous demigod.
Julie’s Review:
Meara is introduced as a paranormal romance but it is more like a YA fantasy. I was hooked from the first chapter when the existence of some magical being is revealed in saving our main character’s life.
We get introduced to so many amazing magical creatures as the book unfolds, and I love that about books in a fae and magical gods world. The descriptions of the creatures are great and their quirks are so fun. Some we love to hate because they’re pure rude cruel beasts as the fae are known to be. Some we love to see warm-up and break past their icy exterior. Some are just flirty and fun.
I have enjoyed watching Meara come into her powers and start learning about them. This book does follow the trope of something happens or the girl turning of age and the veil blocking her and hiding her powers is lifted. In this case, it was a traumatic event and the story starts strong from there.
But then we do spend a lot of time waiting to learn the secrets of the family and what is happening to her little sister. Why is she so special? Why must she be hidden and protected? And why is everyone out to kill her? We spend a lot of months in the storyline just waiting. Meara cooks food, she gets a bit of training, she banters with and hides her feelings that are developing for a certain god. But all the hints and all the secrets made me as annoyed and anxious as they did the main character. Tell me already!
The romance aspect was a will-they-wont-they type of story. The main character falling for the demigod was a beautiful and believable slow burn. But the demigod’s side was irritating and whiplashing with how hot/cold he was. The constant demands, and control. Constantly requiring her to serve him food and drink. Ick! Not a fan of controlling male characters – that’s not swoon worthy.
Overall I enjoyed this book and glad I made the time to read it since reading ebooks has not been easy for me lately.
Interview with Anya Wylde
What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?
I have a lot of ideas and I have random people telling me their ideas and expecting me to write that as well. But, if I kept chasing squirrels, I would be exhausted and get nothing done. So, I usually write the ideas down and then go back to finishing the book no matter how eager I am to start the next project. I do switch genres though since I write what I enjoy reading and I read everything.
Describe the book in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
Meara is a humorous romantic fantasy set in Dublin.
Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
My only aim is to make people smile and escape the realities of life. If you laugh once while reading the book, then my job is done. I like seeing people happy, and I hope by the end of the book they are filled with lots of joy.
What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
I adore reading books by Julia Quinn, Robert Jordan, Christine Feehan, Brandon Sanderson and so many others. I enjoy revisiting the classics and sometimes read poetry, Sufi being my favourite.
Tell us what you enjoy most about writing contemporary fantasy romance.
I love writing. I enjoy researching random facts, places, and people. I can live so many lives while writing, feel so many emotions, and experience the first flush of love repeatedly with every new book. But mostly, I enjoy digging into my past, yanking out all memories of people who have been horrible to me and turning them into villains in my books and giving them a gruesome, painful end. It’s therapeutic.
What is your favorite line from your book?
He was the sort of man that one found living alone in a luxurious house with a hunched back, jagged yellow teeth, and lots of hot water bottles. Perhaps he collected caterpillar fungus and itty-bitty jars of belly button fluff.
About the Author
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