Review by Hillary: True Loves First Kiss by Heidi Garrett (books 1-3) + Giveaway!

Today my wonderful reviewer, Hillary will be sharing her book review for True Loves First Kiss by Heidi Garrett, a bind-up novel for the series, Queen of the Realm of Faerie. I hope everyone will enjoy reading her thoughts on True Loves First Kiss. Also, be sure to check out below for a giveaway to be entered to win a copy of the book! 

Thank you Heidi Garrett & Candace's Book Blog for the review opportunity and for so generously offering a book for a giveaway on my blog. 

Title: True Love's First Kiss 
Author: Heidi Garrett 
Series: Queen of the Realm of Faerie Books 
1-3 of this five-book series in a single digital bundle 
Published: July 18th 2013 by Half-Faerie Publishing 
Paperback, 681 pages 
Genre: Fantasy 
Reading Level: YA

Half-Faeries and mortals. Black magic and genocide. Coming of age and coming into power.

~ Book 1 - NANDANA’S MARK ~

Melia longs to fly like the fullblood faeries...Her mortal father plots to bring war to the Enchanted World...Her faerie mother practices black magic behind closed doors...

Tainted by her father’s ambitions, Melia seeks aid from the Illustrator. She receives a strange mark on her forehead meant to bring her help. Before it arrives, tragedy strikes—and Melia’s dreams of flying coming true.

~ Book 2 - THE FLOWER OF ISBELLINE ~  
When a dark power seduces Melia’s sister...And the keys to power are at risk...The cost of denying true love will be apocalyptic...
Melia races against time to stop her sister from pursuing their father’s damning legacy.

~ Book 3 - THE DRAGON CARNIVALE ~    
In Illialei… A light queen practices black magic. In Tyrannis… The dragonwitch rises to power.In the Mortal World… Umbra pursues the halfbloods as vessels of incarnation. 

Energies in the Enchanted World are shifting and new alliances are forming; the Battle of Dark and Light has begun. Melia is desperate to make things right with Ryder, the young priest from Idonne, but first she must warn the halfbloods in the Mortal World that Umbra is coming for them--and face the powerful Dragonwitch and her spectacular Dragon Carnivale.

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*Note to the author: Heidi, thank you for writing such an epic story and thank you for making me smile. I hope you always see the magic in your life as well.

Before signing up to review True Love’s First Kiss by Heidi Garrett and finishing up the compilation of the first three books in the series, I never knew what to expect from this story. I know I might say that often (most likely all the time), but this time was totally different. You see, I don’t read very many to hardly any young adult fantasy books. Paranormal, Dystopia, Supernatural, Contemporary, Science Fiction (sometimes), and anything around those genres, yes, but Fantasy? Well, let’s say the magical worlds some authors can come up with scares me. I know it is fiction, but sometimes the elements in those books are much, much more than other genres, that it used to feel like I couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to handle the aspects of those stories as well. Not until recently have I fallen into reading little by little more fantasy books. I felt like I was missing out on a lot when everyone else was reading those books and I didn’t. And gosh, was I right! I’ve been holding out on a lot and I’m definitely a little disappointed in myself. I will always be grateful for having given this book a chance and now I would like to share my reasons with all of you.

To start off, who doesn’t like the main character being the heroine? I think everyone always manages to feel similar or share common interests with the main character when it’s a girl and she has some of the same weaknesses you might have. I’m not saying that guys shouldn’t read this book because I think anyone would enjoy this story. Especially since it isn’t just from Melia’s point of view but a handful of other characters as well. I was very impressed with this fact once I realized the whole story wasn’t solely focused on Melia but other characters that were both protagonists and antagonists.

Another aspect that I couldn’t help but like in the story was that Melia and her two sisters had their true love’s out there somewhere. Without the curse their mother put upon them, they most likely wouldn’t end up with the right person. There wasn’t any love triangles which is great because those only help to confuse and frustrate me most often times. And speaking of true loves, Ryder, Melia’s other half was swoon worthy. At first I wasn’t sure what to think of him, not only because he’s a priest from a place called Idonne, but because I wasn’t sure how well a chemistry between both of them would bloom. I shouldn’t have worried though because the way they interacted with one another was adorable. You can see how inexperienced they both are with relationships and they helped each other grow as the story kept going. Ryder and Melia did have their moments where they would argue, but they always managed to find their way back to the other and I loved how Ryder was so understanding and wise. I don’t think there could have been anyone better for Melia than Ryder.

Earlier I said there were aspects in fantasy fiction that I’m yet to be accustomed to and I couldn’t be more right. Once the magical dragons came out, I was awed and I also had a tremendously hard time imagining exactly what a dragon that isn’t real would look like. A character named Sevondi, who is mostly known as the dragonwitch, was the only character able to conjure up these magical creatures. Magic itself is a major part of this story. From the moment Melia’s mother curses her and her sisters with a horrible spell, to the pixies (especially Melia’s best friend Tatou) that can enchant any creature, to the magical sword and basin that were created to summon an evil entity named Umbra, the mermaids (yes, there’s some mermaids in this story), and so much more it only helps but blow your mind away in awe.

The adventures and journeys throughout the story only helped create this world into something much bigger. Throughout the story I could see this world that is known as The Realm of Faerie. I was able to separate it from The Mortal World and only focus on the magical creatures that lived below. I could picture each character and I could tell how different their personalities were. I witnessed and felt the growth of not only Melia, but all the other secondary characters (except the antagonists). I especially liked the flow from book one to book three. One reason could be the compilation that includes the first three stories, but it could also do with Heidi doing an absolutely great job transitioning from one story to the other. The climax for each story was impressive because it grew and it is part of the ultimate climax I’m sure I will be seeing later on in books four and five. Whilst the antagonists worked to gain something for themselves, you always cheered on for the protagonists because they only care about making sure they’re home in The Realm of Faerie is returned to balance and isn’t split up more than it already is. The ending for book three definitely left me wanting to read more and I can only hope that I will be able to next year when book four and five are released.

True Love’s First Kiss by Heidi Garrett was an impressive story, amazing read, and an epic adventure. I can say without a doubt that Heidi did a fantastic job in creating these stories and the world within them. It was very apparent to me just how much thought and time was put into this world and the characters that live in The Realm of Faerie. The characters started out with their faults but learned and grew from every new experience they were forced to go through and it was admirable to see just how much growth they all had gone through by book three. I don’t think any author could have written such a complex and well thought out story as the one Heidi created with True Love’s First Kiss. This story is full of magic that also feels very real. I feel like these characters actually live somewhere in our own world and I could find them by finding the hidden doors. I highly recommend this story to anyone who’s a fan of fantasy, paranormal properties, and epic adventures. I hope more readers get to read this story and see just exactly what I’m speaking of. I feel that I haven’t given this story enough of the justice it deserves, but I can hope that an inkling of it was understandable enough.

 4.5! Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

About The Author: Heidi Garrett

Find Heidi @

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When Heidi Garrett was a child, her mother was the most magical person she knew. Unfortunately, they were separated by evil forces and her mother died a premature death. However, Heidi never forgot Louise, so when she had the opportunity to reconnect with her beloved grandma she seized it, even though the price of that choice was exile from the land where she'd grown up. 
Her risk was was rewarded when she found herself, once again, in a world so unusual that it had to be enchanted. After all, her grandma, Elva, was an elf. When Elva joined her daughter, Louise, in the Unknown Beyond, Heidi was inspired to write fantasy stories that would remind anyone who read them what she'd never forgotten-- 
Once upon a time, you lived in an enchanted world…  She currently resides in Eastern Washington State with her husband and their two cats. So far, she loves the snow. Being from the South, she finds it very mystical.

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