Fantasy Series by M. L. Lacy: Adult Fairy Tales...

Check out My Reviews from Beginning!
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-fantasy-series-begins-with.html
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2010/02/review-m-l-lacy-pens-excellent-second.html

Chrysalis:

  Trepidation

By M. L. Lacy

Into Fantasy? You may have missed this in the past...but I highly recommend you take a look at this series. If you are enjoying Grimm on TV like I have, you may find that there are just as many fantasy creatures in these books. In fact, you will enter a world where there are humans and all the fantasy "types" you may have ever read about--giants, vampires, werewolves, witches, etc. All classified as "magicals..."

I was surprised that it had been three years since the first book came out. Surprised because as I began to read Trepidation, I remembered all the characters and story line. Of course, the author has shared so much via her books that average over 400 pages each! As an aside, if you are really "into" fantasy, I recommend you start the series from the beginning...

I referred to the series as "adult" because, according to custom in the magicals world, there is an exchange and sharing of partners within their Clans. Lacy does an admirable job, however, in keeping the scenes almost chaste. You see, the main character, "The Chosen One" is still part human. When she was first introduced into the magicals environment, she was quite shy and inexperienced and could not imagine being involved with anybody besides the man she loved. 

Aubrey had been chosen by The Elders long ago to be the final "Chosen One." Since she was introduced to who she really was in The Awakening, she has grown accustomed to her life and, more than anybody realizes, has become more magical than anybody knows, especially her main enemies!

Additionally, she has read and absorbed all of the knowledge from the former elders...

In addition to updating us on the lives of magicals, in this novel we meet the former "chosen ones," who have been living in a castle, who help in her latest attack from Esmeralda and her followers. One funny event is when the castle opens all doors to Aubrey, while deciding to lock its doors, including the one little room where it had earlier allowed Esmeralda to live--she is forever locked out!

And that was mainly because Aubrey had taken a stand! Against the recommendations of her clan, family and other followers, Aubrey demands her rightful place on the magical council, refusing to have her blood tested (to determine how far along she has changed to becoming a magical) and proves her right by magically creating a tea party scene in the Council Building...a building that also had been free from the use of magic until she was ready! But Aubrey has learned well that "no rules apply to her!"  

And one other small addition is that Aubrey's "fifth" of her "Special Seven" has been identified and we are privy to the beginnings of their relationship. What does that mean? Well, she has seven partners in her life...but has so far only connected with five, all of whom routinely visit and spend intimate time with her...  

I especially enjoyed this third book. It was a lot of fun watching the chosen one finally take a stand against everybody, including all of her male protectors and guards! And when her other sister chosen ones come into the act, it sets the time for both male and females to fight the battles that must be fought! The most important being to heal the relationships with humans so that they can live safely and happily with the magicals. This one got me excited--because I'm already wondering what is going to happen next!

Have fun with this one! A truly fantastic fantasy world, don't you think?

GABixlerReviews

"Esmeralda's heart was pounding with her excitement as she realized what she could have. She saw the beauty in the beast before her and her heart ached for its touch.

"The dragons turned to the captives and fed upon them as everyone watched. No screams were heard from the confined prisoners. No struggles were given. The only sound to drift out of the arena was that of teeth crunching bone, and it filled the night. Esmeralda felt a soft shiver of elation as she watched the dragons morph back into their magical form. Those robed in red wrapped the white robes around their naked loves and then they disappear into the forest.

"Are you impressed?" his throaty voice brushed her ear.

"The ritual had captured Esmerald's attention, and she hadn't realized the host of the night's event was standing behind her. She straightened. Her hands smoothed the fabric of her cloak as she turned to face him. Her violet eyes reflected the fire's light back at him.

"David. Yes, I am," she said. Her eyes studied the man that once was her eternity. But her passion for finding her demon and his passion for finding his dragon had torn them apart. "Where did you find them?" she questioned...

"She smiled as she began to understand why he had asked for her to come...He still had the powerful gray eyes that had held her spellbound on so many occasions...

"Is that why you asked me here? Because you want my demon?"

~~~

M.L. Lacy is the author of the Chrysalis Series (The Awakening,Tribulations, and Trepidation) and the upcoming Starburst Series.

M.L. Lacy was awarded first place in the Rebecca's Read's 2010 Written Art Award for her book The Awakening in the Fiction: Science Fiction/Fantasy category.

M.L. Lacy is married and lives in far north Fort Worth, Texas.

Review: M. L. Lacy Pens Excellent Second Novel in Chrysalis Series!

Chrysalis: Tribulations


By M. L. Lacy
AuthorHouse
ISBN: 9781449014803
448 Pages

I just finished reading my notes and review of Book 1 Chrysalis: The Awakening by M. L. Lacy and must quickly say that Book 2, Chrysalis: Tributions has not only surpassed but has moved the series into must-read status for fantasy lovers. Not only has the scope of the story expanded into an exciting novel but the writer has found her pace and style in her second book. Her words flow and pull readers in quickly and completely! Plus her blazing butterfly book cover is fantastic!

One key advantage point for Lacy's series for non-fantasy readers, including myself to some extent, is that her main character, Bree, was born a human, but a Chosen One. There is a background story that highlights why Bree was not brought into her role much earlier in her life; however, for readers, this provided Lacy the capability to explore how humans feel about "people" in the Magical world. Specifically, because of long life, vampires began sharing their mates with others during their lives. Now, for them, it is routine and considered normal. For Bree, however, she is not really interested in sharing her fiancée with anyone and, more importantly, her beliefs and feelings about sexuality are constantly being challenged and then explored.

This struggle for Bree allows non-fantasy readers an easy way to understand and consider "the life" within that Magical world. Whether or not Lacy intended this or not, it was a great benefit for me since I, too, follow Bree's beliefs. Even though that is not endorsing the way of life for Magicals...

While Bree watches, learns, and prepares for meeting her major opponent as the leader of the Magical world, Esmeralda, she also faces a power struggle within her clan. Frankly I'm enjoying the overall power struggle that underlies the Clan's structure...that is, the need for all the men to protect Bree, even though she is the Chosen One...It is funny and sweet...and darn frustrating for both Bree and for some readers to see that the men refuse to recognize her true authority...

Of course she has not yet turned...

And, of course, Bree does what she wants and needs to do anyway...

Bree is like a lot of women, we allow loved individuals to do things that we may not like until we get to the boiling point and "explode" in frustration! She may need to develop a little better control in the future; but it is sure fun to watch her explosions in the meantime! One thing though, she has remarkable skills and knowledge that is constantly surprising everybody, because her strengths and total Magical abilities should not yet have been totally provided...

It seems that even the Magicals don't really understand how much the "elders" have given and shared with Bree, their last Chosen One. Ahhh, but I would have loved to see Esmeralda's face when Bree not only entered her hidden cavern, but also freed the two prisoners that Esmeralda had planned to trade for Bree!

Readers, there is a lot happening in this nearly 500-page novel...it does stand alone; however, I would recommend you start with Book 1 to get that background established. I have a feeling the Chrysalis series by M. L. Lacy is going to go on and on... Don't miss it!

G. A. Bixler

Review: New Fantasy Series Begins with Chrysalis: The Awakening

Chrysalis: The Awakening
By M. L. Lacy
AuthorHouse
ISBN: 9781438959856
589 Pages

Note: Check out the author site by clicking on the title of this article!


Book 1 of a new series by M. L. Lacy, Chrysalis: The Awakening, is an intriguing addition to the fantasy genre. With nearly 600 pages, that read very easily and quickly, I highly recommend you start this series right now, as Bree awakens!

No, Aubrey Marie Campbell has not been “asleep;” rather, she has been a mortal since birth and now is her time to “transition” into the magical realm. You see she is A Chosen One—in fact, she is the “last” of the Chosen Ones and if she fails in her mission, both the mortal and magical worlds will ultimately be destroyed. I plan on following this series! It is well written and Book 1 has established a firm understanding of the storyline, the primary characters, and what will be happening; and entertains and pulls readers in so that they want more. I personally hope we don’t have to wait too long for the follow up!

As the last Chosen One, Bree’s life has been in danger since she was born. Her parents were constantly threatened so that Bree’s childhood was constantly more and more confining and restrictive. She was separated from her “intended” and, instead, married to a sadistic mortal that constantly abused and tormented her, even to the point of “sharing” her with his male friends. Finally, when she became pregnant, was beaten, lost the baby and was then unable to have further children, Bree gathered her strength and filed for divorce.

While Bree was made to suffer during her childhood, she was not left totally on her own. There were many that stood guard over her, even at night while she slept—although they could not be seen!

Now her grandmother has invited her to a “reunion” of old friends and although she was not interested in going, fearing that her friends would all be the same age as her grandmother, she finally gives in and, once there, finds that there are many of her own age. One in particular greatly attracts her. Oops, shall I highlight here that memory of her old friends, especially Steven, her intended mate, had been magically erased, so that when she now meets them, she does not remember their earlier relationship. Actually, it was the interaction between the characters at this point that I especially enjoyed since Bree had felt for many years that there was perhaps something wrong with her—she heard voices, she healed quickly, even from the continuous abuse from her husband, and she had been restricted from so much activity by her parents, she had assumed that she was mentally ill! This part is funny and sad—sad to realize what parents, even parents with magical abilities, can do to a child.

For Bree’s rival, Esmeralda, did indeed threaten—and everybody knew that she would follow through on her threats! But now Bree was finding her own strength and much of her early life had been explained. Bree’s first confrontation with Esmeralda is excitingly funny—because by now of course, readers are all supporting Bree’s new reign and looking forward to her final transition, when she gains her full powers!

Hey, everybody needs a little magic in their lives—you know, clans of vampires, a few werewolves, a giant or two, witches, elves, and wizards—Oh My! Seriously, readers, if you love fantasy, then you will indeed enjoy Chrysalis: The Awakening by M. L. Lacy!


G. A. Bixler