#review #5stars Clouded by Envy, by Candace Robinson

MY REVIEW:

Fantasy is somewhat hit and miss for me. It takes a writing style that feels real, and a story line that’s truly kissed with emotions in order for me to love a fantasy book. I’m SO thrilled to say that Clouded by Envy did not disappoint! In fact, it really set the bar high! This is the first book that I’ve read by Candace Robinson, and it most certainly wont be the last.

Bray and Brenik are siblings of a different sort. They’re fairy(ish) creatures who call themselves bats. They came to Earth by way of escape from their own falling world. They couldn’t be any more opposite. Bray has dedicated her entire life to protecting Brenik. They’re twins, yet she’s the older of the two, and has always been much stronger in every way… physically, magically, mentally and more. Although, Brenik practically owes his sister for his entire existence, as he never would have survived without her, he’s still full of spite and jealousy.

In crossing from one world to the next Bray is given a gift, as the gatekeeper type creature, called the Stone of Desires (I love this creature BTW, he’s like a rock and comes to life, and described to perfection!) The stone creature can sense her pure of heart and the love she has for her brother despite his own plague of hate and loathing. Bray is given the gift of transformation from fairy to human. As their new lives on earth is a confusing one, they luck out and meet a human who helps them immensely. When she passes and a couple of human brothers wind up moving into the old woman’s house things continue to progress.

Brenik continues to grow more spiteful. He knows that he could never survive without Bray, yet he hates her for it almost as much as he hates himself. He realizes that it’s wrong what he feels, and although he tries countless times to put his emotions in check he struggles with it. Eventually, as he too acquires the gift of human transformation, it comes with a cost. He has a thirst for blood, along side a Dorian Grey type clause. Clearly he  spirals epically.

At first Bray doesn’t know where her brother has disappeared to, and she’s very worried. She winds up growing close to the human sibling brothers living in the house by the fruit tree they’ve lived in since coming to Earth. They’re good people and Candace develops their characters and relationships well. Bray has a connection with the older brother, and I love the build up and practical aspects of their growing friendship.

Eventually Bray and Brenik are re-connected, but what becomes of each of them was completely unexpected. The ending wasn’t at all what I expected to happen. I loved the surprises, but I’ve got to say it’s a very bitter-sweet ending. SAD!! There are so many twists in this tale. Nothing goes the direction you’d expect, so the entire story stays fresh which I loved!

DESCRIPTION:

Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Growing up as fairy-like creatures, known as bats, everything came easier to Bray. While Brenik spent his time in her shadows, never feeling he was enough. After escaping their world of Laith, and living on Earth for ten years, Brenik attempts to strike a deal with the Stone of Desire to become human. Though true humanity is not an option, he will accept the curse that will alter him to get as close as he can.

Living in a tree trunk for the past year hasn’t been easy for Bray, more so after her brother disappears again. When a human boy and his brother, Wes, find her, a new friendship is struck. Through Wes, Bray learns there can be more to life than waiting within a tree. But worrying over where Brenik has vanished to always remains in the back of her mind.

When Bray reunites with Brenik, she realizes she must help him break the curse after she discovers the need for blood is beginning to overpower him. The curse not only damages those who get close to Brenik, but it could also destroy whatever is blooming between Bray and Wes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candace Robinson spends her days consumed by words. When she’s not writing stories, she maintains a book review blog. Her life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, and living with her husband and daughter in Texas—where it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next.

She can be found on her WEBSITE, BLOG, and AMAZON. Or, you can follow her on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM!!