When Fates Collide

Fates by Lanie Bross is about a girl that has been exiled from her main land where she helps control fates. Being exiled to Earth was supposed to teach her a lesson. She got a Guardian and was given tasks to help keep the the fates in line on Earth.

When Corinthe is tasked with her last few objectives, she can finally go back her her world after being exiled for years. Her last task is to kill a boy named Luc that she has had a few encounters with. Corinthe has never killed anyone but who is she to question the fates?

The real problem is that her “Guardian” Miranda is trying to destroy the land they come from and by disturbing the fates and giving Corinthe a wrong path, she will end their land with killing Luc.

[ SPOILERS AHEAD ]

Alright, so this idea sounds kinda interesting right? I thought so too. The beginning was good and I felt like it had a lot of potential for the storyline I was getting in the beginning. I thought Corinthe was a little strange but that is to be expected when you are dealing with someone that has come to Earth from another... place? And doesn't know how Earth works. It was a very interesting first chapter though which made me to keep reading it.

I thought Miranda was very odd from the beginning and she seemed to be planning something. I was right, of course. Usually when you're exiled you don't get some type of guardian. I thought the idea behind the killing of Luc was a little out there. It's not something you would think to end a world but maybe it would.

I thought the relationship between Corinthe and Luc was very odd. Most of the time she wanted to kill him and all he could think about was kissing her! He only seemed upset for like a few seconds when that was happening. I would of been like get this girl the heck away from me. But he embraced it and even went on an adventure with her to find her world. Of course he needed her but the first night they snuggled already. He got over his hatred for her wanting to kill him quickly.

Also, the last few chapters were very odd. They both just realized they loved each other?! What was that all about? Their relationship felt very enforced and I didn't really care for it at all. I never felt any chemistry and I felt like the author was trying to push it on us through Luc's prospective.

Overall, I didn't enjoy this book that much. I mostly tolerated it and was able to actually finish it. I did enjoy Rhys character though. He seemed to be very wholesome and knew the right things to say. I liked reading about his parts and his wisdom was very helpful to the storyline.

I wouldn't really recommend this book because it was quite boring and the plot didn't keep me interested that much. It was a quick read though and I did finish it. I felt iffy about the book itself about halfway through. I think the author could work on the character development and plot a bit more. There is a second book but I am not sure yet if I want to pick it up.

It's true that Fates drew me in with its gorgeous cover. I mean look at that thing of beauty! It called to me. It held the promise of myth mixed with adventure. Little did I know that between these pages was a veritable labyrinth of a story. One that, no matter how much more I read, I wasn't able to find my way out of. This wasn't a fun read, my friends. Not at all. It was maddeningly confusing, and I am honestly surprised that I made it to the end. I did make it to the end though, as I had promised a review for this book. So please pardon the rambling below.

To be completely honest, this book had potential at the beginning. The reader stumbles upon Corinthe as she is fulfilling her duty as an Executor. As the one who makes sure that Fate takes its proper course. I was thrilled with this idea. Greek myth speaks of The Fates often. Of those very powerful beings who hold the very existence of every person on Earth in their hands. Why wouldn't that extend to our every day lives? It made sense to me that there would be someone here to make sure that everything went according to plan. It fits perfectly with the idea of free will vs. fate. So yes, that I loved.

Then things took a very odd turn. Suddenly Luc was in Corinthe's path, and nothing made sense anymore. These two fall in insta-love and, worse yet, the reader never really gets to know them because they hardly have time to get to know one another. I never felt anything for either of these characters. No hate, or anger, or even happiness when things went right. I felt like I was stuck in the middle of a story that had the right to do whatever it took to make it to the ending. Corinthe needs to kill Luc to get home? Okay. We still need romance though, so let's have him fall head over heels for her for no reason. Also, because this book is of the Paranormal persuasion, let's add in gnomes, hornets, and all manner of other things but not explain any of them at all. Sound good? That's this book.

Which basically meant that the first third of the book was slow, as it was building up to something bigger. The middle was confusing as all get out, and I had so many questions that I couldn't keep them all straight in my mind. Finally, as I neared the ending, everything just somehow magically wrapped up. I never had any of my questions answered. I never met half of the beings who were referred to in this book. Most frustrating of all, I didn't even feel anything at an ending that should have made me feel at least a little bit sad. What's a reader to do?

Apparently this is the first in a series, but I won't be reading past this. When it comes to first books, I'm generally pretty forgiving. I'll let a lot slide in the name of future installments. Fates, though? Too much left undone. Too many plot holes. Not enough interest left at the end.