Book Shelf: Fates Entwined (Halven Rising #2) by Jules Barnard

They can never be together. The notion is laughable. Humans are inferior, a scourge on the Fae and on the magic passed down to them by angels millennia ago. And if Keen finds himself drawn to the tiny human female, he keeps it to himself. He won’t add to the half-breed problem that threatens his people’s existence.

Reese can’t stand Keen. He criticizes her clothing, won’t answer a straight question, and is too handsome for her peace of mind.

Her entire life, people have pegged Reese for a shallow, ditzy blond. She won’t accept the stereotype from the large, arrogant Fae too. But after Keen saves her life, she begins to question what truly lies beneath his stoic demeanor.

Forced together, Keen and Reese fight to survive among enemies, and Keen makes choices Reese couldn’t have predicted. She glimpses a side of him that is protective and dangerously seductive.

But Keen refuses to acknowledge their connection.

Until he's faced with the decision to betray his people, or lose Reese forever.
 
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Review:

Fates Entwined is the second novel in Jules Barnard’s Halven Rising series and is a wonderfully told story of excitement, adventure and heart-stopping romance that will thrill from beginning until end!

Reese Fisher had no idea Fae existed until her best friend Elena discovered she was Halven, the result of a Fae having a child with a human. Now Reese finds herself thrust into the dangerous world of Fae, kidnapped by an evil leader hoping to use Reese’s connection to her friend as leverage. Imprisoned, Reese is shocked to discover the person who comes to rescue her is Keen, the arrogant, blond haired Fae who criticized everything about Reese, infuriates her like no other and who sets her blood on fire. Keen Albrecht is a Fae warrior who agrees with the sentiment that humans are inferior….so why does the tiny, mouthy Reese get under his skin no matter what he does? He knows a relationship with one of her kind would never be tolerated, but for Keen, Reese is never far from his mind. That’s probably why he agrees to rescue her, before quickly finding himself pledging his loyalty to an unjust Queen in order to keep Reese safe. They can never be together, but with Reese and Keen unable to deny the chemistry that burns between them, will they find a way to be together, or will duty and preconceived notions keep them apart forever?

Having previously really enjoyed the first book in this series, I was delighted to discover Fates Entwined was as good as its predecessor, if not better! Unfolding through main characters Reese and Keen’s varying POV, Fates Entwined had it all; action, excitement, romance, danger and some seriously sizzling chemistry between the two main characters. There wasn’t an aspect of this story I wasn’t happy with—the romance between Reese and Keen was perfect, I adored the additional characters Barnard introduced including Illa and Ulric who were just too cute, and I thought the developments to the storyline were excellent and highly entertaining; good world building.

Ever since we were first introduced to Reese and Keen in Fates Divided, I have been eagerly anticipating the moment we would see them feature in their own tale and explore the delectable connection that seemed to simmer between them from the moment they met. Throughout Fates Entwined, author Jules Barnard fantastically explored their relationship and satisfies my curiosity.

Reese was a likable heroine to follow and I loved her fire, tenacity and personality. I liked she knew who she was and didn’t apologize or let Keen tell her what to do. Reese had spunk as well as a good balance between personal strength and vulnerability. While Keen on the other hand, was all stoic warrior and fierce defender with a smidgen of cheek and arrogance that I quite liked. They really worked well together and complimented each other as characters. 

Jules Barnard wrote an addictive romance between Reese and Keen that has fire, sizzle and sensational chemistry. They’ve always had electricity together, even as they fought and bickered initially in the first book, so Fates Entwined simply highlights that chemistry they’ve always shared and lets us see them fall in love. There’s an unmistakable aura of forbidden and a will-they-won’t-they feel, especially on Keen’s end as he fights to convince himself he doesn’t want Reese, even as his every thought and action is in contradiction. It was delightful to watch unfold and highly entertaining.

Sensationally paced with the perfect blend of romance mixed with action, fight scenes and wonderful dialogue, Fates Entwined is an excellent sequel and leaves me highly excited to read the third, and I believe, final novel when it’s released!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by YA Bound Book Tours and the author (Thank you ladies!)
Publisher: Fresh Fiction
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: November 14th 2016
Purchase: Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Nook | iBooks
Final Thoughts: I loved this book and I can't wait to read the second one as well as dive into the prequel novella that is now available!