Shale City Shale City Book #1
Punk Fairytale, New Adult, Fantasy, Erotica
Quick Draw Studios
Oct 28, 2020
Kindle
462
Amazon
If Carnival Row were punk rock...
Welcome to SHALE CITY, a derelict punk rock metropolis populated by the fae creatures who overrun our mythical dreamscapes. A place where magic has diminished and diesel runs thick... sometimes with devastating consequences.
Years ago, Twinglader swordsman Ashe sacrificed his freedom in exchange for his grandparents' lives. Now, torn away from his forest faun tribe, he finds himself in the service of Drake, a cunning and powerful satyr chief known for his insufferable cruelty. Drake’s clan, the Doomhands, rule over Shale City with an iron fist, and conquest is never far from their minds. When Drake learns of a magical orb with the deadly power to manipulate and destroy anyone its owner chooses, he strikes out immediately to capture it and brings Ashe along for the ride. But when the Doomhand raid brings an altogether different prize: fire-haired Iona, a nine-tailed fox maiden trained in the magic arts, Ashe discovers a new path to freedom...one fraught with sacrifice, heartache, and the chance to rise up against the oppression that binds him.
Written and beautifully illustrated by bestselling storyteller Dani Julian and featuring cover art by acclaimed concept artist Summer Dale, SHALE CITY is a journey into a stunningly original fantasy world with no boundaries, featuring a cast of lavishly imagined, punk-flavored fairytale characters that readers won’t soon forget.
Reviewed by Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Wow where to start, I will start by saying this book had me from the first sentence and didn’t stop until the last one. The author created such an amazing world, a world I was not sure I would like but am so happy I decided to give it a go. I can’t think of anything this story is lacking and not one boring minute in all the over four hundred pages.
Ashe is a faun who along with his little daughter Scarlett is on the run from an enemy who will stop at nothing to get what he wants and what he wants is Scarlett. With little food the two of them are on the search for a kit tribe he heard about where he hopes Scarlett will find the help, she needs to find her way in the world. The kits are her mother’s people but over time they have been almost completely wiped out.
While travelling they come across another faun who offers them food and the ability to rest. Ashe is offered some liquor which helps him bring his walls down and he offers to tell his story, the story of why he and his little girl are on the run and alone. It is a tale filled with pain, sadness and little happiness. A story with abuse, rape and torture a heartbreaking tale that Ashe has not repeated to anyone other than those involved.
Drake is the Chief of Shale City, a place ruled with an iron hand. Drake and his trusted people are satyrs, and their cruelty is off the charts. He has learned about Jade, a stone able to manipulate minds and in the wrong hands would be deadly. Yellowseed the kit village, is in possession of this jewel and Drake wants it. It was a peaceful village until Drake and his army laid siege to it and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. Ashe and his best friend Quinn are along for the raid, but Ashe is hesitant to harm anyone especially when he sees Iona a nine tailed kit who can control the Jade.
To save her village Iona sacrifices herself and the Jade with the same promise Drake made to Ashe when he promised his people and grandparents would be safe. As soon as Iona is on her way back to Shale City Drake and his men killed everyone and burn the village down to the ground. Iona is to be Drake’s new wife a meaningless title because she is nothing but a slave.
Ashe turns his back on what is going on and continues to enjoy the women and alcohol that is part of the perks of his position. Before long Ashe can no longer turn a blind eye to a woman he is falling for. He wants to free her, but it is an impossible dream. The more Ashe reveals about his story the sadder it becomes and every time I think I can’t be more shocked I am proven wrong.
Rape, torture, betrayal and heartbreaking situations left me in tears. Of course, simply by the fact that Ashe is telling his story lets you know that he survived and is ready for the next chapter in his and his daughters’ life. I can’t wait for the next book in this series and if this book is any indication I am already prepared for Ashe and Scarlett’s next journey to be filled with danger and the unexpected.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I can’t imagine anyone not being affected by this story and the struggle to overcome adversity.
Y/A & N/A
