For a while, Flavia’s character wasn’t very likeable to me, but her character development over the course of the book was a great change in pace. She turned out to be a complex, personable protagonist, even if her descriptions are slightly overwritten, specifically in the beginning of the book.

The highlight of the book is how the author executed the time-travel scenes. The description in these moments is beautifully written, showcasing the imaginative visual style. This is further enhanced by the illustrations in the book, which caught my eye every time. Throughout the book, there were eye-catching lines that are both memorable and captivating—phrases like “a spirit of divine origin that steals mortal breaths” and “Greener than a vine leaf would his cheeks turn, seeing my heart stolen by a thief.” It’s this capability of wonderful imagery that shows just how strong the narrative can be. Other characters, such as Nevian, Idona, and Netius, are similarly well-drawn, adding to the depth of the overall story.

Unfortunately, there are a large number of issues with pacing, grammar, editing, and formatting. The struggles are the lack of cohesive tone and switching between modern vocabulary and elevated, high-fantasy vocabulary. As the book is written entirely in rhyme, it results in forced rhymes, nonsensical words (such as “mysterial”), and confusing grammar. Additionally, the inclusion of onomatopoeia throughout feels out of place alongside the high-fantasy tone, coming across as humorous or cartoonish, rather than atmospheric. For example: “Chomp! Chomp! I petted him on the nuzzle, having already trained him to adhere well to the call of my hand motions.” This sentence also portrays misuse of a word(nuzzle) when it should be “muzzle.”

Mazarine Dreamer is rich in potential, but needs heavy editing to smooth out sentence structure and word choice. Even so, beneath these flaws there is a deeply creative story. Readers who enjoy quirky, highly atmospheric fantasy with a romantic edge will still find plenty to appreciate here, especially as it can be compared to the gothic tones in “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe and the poetic drama in Shakespeare’s work.

The ending was passionate and exciting and wrapped things up well; I felt that the poetry and rhyme did help to elevate the lovemaking scenes and the dramatic flair of the trial parts. The story was long, but fairly consistent in details and characterization, and the color symbolism (mazarine blue, pure white, fiery red) stood out very well within the rhyming format.

The book suffers a bit from its constraints, but it has a full-bodied storyline and unique characters. I did appreciate, however, the dictionary reference pages at the end, which would help to alleviate some of the vocabulary confusion for the readers.

character. As well as the personality of the female lead seem to be lacking in a way. But I was excited to see the male leads past selves and present selves were swapped that to me was the most interesting aspect. I did feel it was repetitive especially when it came to descriptions scenes and situations so much so it took me out of the story. Over all I did enjoy the book. And am looking forward to reading more from you..

The description of the characters was engaging and set the stage for my mind to imagine them as I read. When I read the line “In an entanglement of three, one guilty, man must be plucked out of the difficulty” I was instantly intrigued as to what this entanglement would be and how one would be plucked out.

“This crossway where a heart-injuring judgment must be made”
This was really masterfully written and caused me to consider what would happen with the characters.

“As a working psychologist . . . overtook them with healing powers well acquired.”
I really enjoyed this part.

“Splish-splash. Warm, scented coffee I calmly sipped . . .”
This set the mood for the treating of patients and he became intrigued as to how these evaluations would proceed.

The email description of the monk in need of assistance was masterful. I could feel myself reading faster as I wanted to engage with this part of the book.

I reread the description of the abbey as I found it very intriguing.

When the two priests opened the door to the foyer, I felt like I was actually inside the abbey. The description of speeding away from the castle made me want to continue reading.

Lavender eyes illuminated in surprise, lashes in curls. This description almost melted my heart.

Smartly I thought, someone is searching for me. I imagined the thought process behind this and how we often stop and imagine who is thinking of us and who needs us.

Idona’s golden eyes and her yelling “Get out. Our journey is over.” This followed by her admonishment to someone who misconstrues words was like a punch in the gut.

My favorite by far was XV: Ineffable Curse.”
He thinks me dafter than himself, I thought. His trust and willingness to believe is hardbought.

Here I stopped and thought about my own life and the times when I had to convince others that I knew what I was talking about, and I had a lot to offer. I then put myself into the shoes of the character and thought about how I would convince this naysayer no matter how long it took me. This was a time when I truly connected with the character and had to stop and take a break from the book while I reflected on my own experiences with others who doubted me.

“ Unclasping the ring of keys, I placed the most fit one from the collection into the lock and met with excitement . . .”
The suspense here continued to grow and at this point, I could not stop reading.

In “Unexpected Twist”
The following line is one that I have gone back to after finishing the book. “My decoded heart only proves my purity.” I have thought about this and how I feel as if you get to the bottom of someone’s true being and what is deep down in their heart, you can understand whether their intentions are pure.

“That gift to this church is also a curse.”
As I read this line, I could imagine myself perusing bookshelves in a bookstore or skimming through books online, seeing this quotation, and wanting to read the book.

Ending the book with the glossary of terms was an added bonus which I utilized a handful of times while reading.

Overall, I found the book very enjoyable. It was mystical and intriguing, with good character development. The choice of language really kept me engaged while reading as the words truly created a picture in my mind of not only the characters but the setting.
Whenever I consider how to market a book, I think about testimonials and reviews from real readers. I think the more of those you can include on your website and through sales mediums will really help to push the book and get it into the hands of readers. I feel like readers would enjoy this. I can tell you that it took me out of my day-to-day drudgery and brought me to a world of fantasy, which lightened my mood at the end of along day of work.

atmosphere. The language feels vivid and immersive, especially in moments like Flavia’s passage through the mysterious Mazarine fog, which captures the sensation of drifting between realities. The illustrations also complement the story beautifully and enhance the book’s fairy-tale aesthetic.

At times, reading the novel feels comforting, almost like revisiting an illustrated storybook, while still maintaining the emotional tension and romantic drama of young adult fantasy.

That said, the rhyming structure can occasionally make the narrative harder to follow. Dialogue sections sometimes become quite long, and it is not always immediately clear which character is speaking. In some moments the writing seems to prioritize rhythm and expression over clarity, which can briefly interrupt the flow of the story.

The emotional heart of the novel lies in its tragic, fated relationships. The sense that certain bonds may endure across centuries adds a melancholic tone that fits well with the story’s themes of destiny and reincarnation.

Overall, Mazarine Dreamer offers a creative and very unique reading experience. Readers who enjoy poetic storytelling, illustrated fantasy, and romantic themes of past lives and fate will likely find this book especially intriguing.

I have posted a review of this book on my bookstagram: @fantasticw0rds for anyone interested!

real. As for Netius/Nevian and Lero/Seron, I am not sure I like either. I don’t see what she saw in either of them.

I love the attention to colors. Everything was vivid and rich in color. I could imagine every color as if I were in the book, looking at the same things they were. Truly amazing to be able to pull color through the pages like that. All the white animals for Flavia would be fantastic to see.

The drawings were adorable. I laughed at a few, but it was also nice to have them, especially when describing a Calor. I was able to put an actual image to the description, instead of using my own imagination (which is never bad, but I loved it).

I love that Flavia waits until she gets married to have relations. In this day and age, that isn’t the norm, but it was fresh to read. Ending the book with their wedding and seeing the animals again was a good touch. Brought everything around full circle.

the best. A reader who is not a fan of rhyme or Shakespeare will have a hard time at first. That is my honest opinion. The introduction was very hard to digest while finding a proper pace.

Once we started with Flavia and her entwined path with Pastello Castle, I found the story taking root. Flavia is smart and sure of herself. She handles the past and present with strength and passes all the tests thrown her way. I loved the way she tied everything together and after such a long read, my view of Flavia changed.

At first, I found her very pompous with a strong ego. She loves purity and criticizes the woman at the meeting. Her obsession with white and blue eyes made her seem vain. However, as I read on, the real her began to take form. She showed strength when faced with anomalies that went against everything she believed in. Calors and magic. Her growth outshined and prospered. Flavia’s inner growth was worth the wait.

Reading the characters’ biographies showed light on who she would choose in my opinion. Netius proved to be such an equal to her, but that is just my opinion. She is too driven to wish to marry Lero. He is too free also, which makes him a great friend.

Overall, I really went out of my comfort zone with a book in terms of prose and I must say I am glad I did! Lovely book overall.

Analysis:

Once I figured out a good way to read the verse prose, which for me was out loud and slow, the musicality and flow came instantly. I felt like I had read nearly 900 pages of poetry. It is easy to see how much effort went into the words and the author’s amazing skills with prose. As an author myself, I would not come close to bringing the words to life on page.

The story itself is layered and very descriptive, which helps with imagining Flavia’s journey. I counted at least four plots and subplots that entwined together seamlessly. That is hard with normal prose, but here worked really well.

I knew about the triangle from the start, but I had not expected the ending. I appreciate Flavia choosing what makes her happy and if that meant keeping both men in her life, then good for her. She handled it with grace and that is so important for women to see examples of. Choosing one’s own happiness comes first.

Even though it is a rather long book that is completely rhythmed, I enjoyed it immensely and readers who enjoy the musicality of words and poetry wrapped in story will love the book.

If you want to read the thoughts I had while reading, IT DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS, please enjoy:

Notes While Reading:

1. Pictures are beautiful!!!

2. Pg. 5, characteristics for Netius is listed twice.

3. Pg. 13, I already feel like I’m reading the works of a modern Shakespeare!

4. This could totally just be my Kindle, but there are two page 13s.

5. There are two page 19s.

6. This imagery is everything! It really pulls me into the story and is getting me hooked.

7. I’m starting to think it is my Kindle (which is a Kindle Paperwhite with a 6.8” screen that I bought in 2022) but there are two page 26s. Due to this, just in case it is a mistake, I’ll list them under this one so I don’t bore you with it.

8. This is such a smooth and easy read that it’s wonderful to just get lost in and enjoy it! I’m already on page 105 and I’ve been reading for a short time now!

9. There is no pg 129, 174, 200, 287, 343, 347, 407, 434, 519, 568, 636, 695, 803, 886, 899.

10. Pg 202: Mythy or mythly, look it up.

a. I looked it up and understand now! I did not know mythly wasn’t a word!

11. Pg 204: Liger?

a. Ooooh, I was reading it as “Lee-ger.” A liger, a lion + tiger.

12. Pg 205: Flavia and Nevian are SO CUTE!

13. Pg 207: I absolutely love the writing style!!!

14. Pg 226: I love the use of modern words in this old time writing!

15. Pg: 243: Elizabeth I Tudors? Or different?

a. Yep, Elizabeth I Tudors!! She’s my favorite Queen!

16. Pg 335: Felids? Look it up.

a. Oh! Carnivorous cats, got it!

17. Pg 560: Sir, yes, food is food, but give a girl time to choose! I am VERY picky when it comes to my food.

18. Pg 708: Me too, girl, me too. Blood is very icky sometimes.

19. Pg 712: Cherubim? Look it up.

a. Oh! Multiple cherubs.

20. Pg 749: I love Flavia’s outfits!

21. Pg. 835: Should it be “pressed artful” or “pressed artfully?”

22. Pg 835: Freest? Look it up.

a. Oh! The superlative of Free!

23. Pg 837: I can’t decide if I like Seron or Nevian better.

24. Pg 838: Low-key, I really want that bed-

25. Pg 846: NO WAY, THEY’RE FIGHTING!!!

26. Pg 850: Yeah…don’t know if I still like Nevian…

27. Pg 901: IDONA?!

28. Pg 906: Me, too, girl. I got two men I love equally too, so I don’t find this hard to believe.

29. Pg 909: Title mentioned!

30. Pg 914: OH MY GOD

31. Pg. 930-931: She’s with Netius and Lero just left??

32. Pg 937: Oooo, vanilla perfume, it fits her beautifully!

33. Pg 939: THEY’RE GETTING MARRIED!

34. Pg. 949-950: I love the combining of their lives!!

35. Pg 953: AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!

I read this one evening after a long day, and it totally whisked me away to another world. It made me think about love and choices in such an interesting way. The whole idea of how the right love can impact your future is beautifully explored. If you enjoy a mix of fantasy and introspection, you’ll really enjoy this one!

balanced two-timelines mirrored her own inner conflict in a way that I also wasn’t expecting. I thought the way that this story was chosen to be told also added to the dreamlike experience in a very unique way.

The prose at times was both beautiful and a little clunky. There were a few phrases that I feel didn’t quite hit the mark because of the strict style in which it was being written. However, none of these were enough to really take me out of the story, and overall I thought it very unique and delightful.

The addition of a dramatis personae in the beginning was a stroke of genius. It helped so much with keeping track of everyone, and I would have been lost had I not been able to go back and look at it.

Overall, I did have a great time reading this book, and I would recommend it to other poetry and historical romance lovers out there.

her back in time. She is then forced to confront the misdoings of her past life and becomes caught once again in the middle of a scandalous series of events. The book consists of tried and true themes of betrayal, love triangles, and mystery. Will Flavia be able to reconcile her past life and return to the future?