Cutlass (Cutlass)

by Ashley Nixon

[limabean74]

Have you ever read a synopsis and got the chills then got a flip flop feeling in your stomach and you think to yourself…OMG this book is going to be fantastic. I will tell you that when I got the email for this tour and after reading the synopsis, I never wanted to be on a tour as badly as I wanted on this one. I even tweeted Ashley to tell her I signed up not that she knew me but I just had to tell her. When I got a tweet from Ashley saying I made the tour not only was I shocked she remembered me but I don’t think I stopped dancing all day and now that I am done it was totally worth the dance and I could scream out the window to the neighbors, I also want to stop people on the street and tell them to read this book. I honestly think it was that good.

If you read my updates on Goodreads you might have guessed I loved this book and if you don’t follow me on goodreads you missed all my status updates about how much I loved this book.

Barren Reed has only one thing on his mind and that revenge, revenge against his brother William who killed their father. Barren has made his brother’s life miserable and now he’s about to get his revenge by kidnapping Williams finance Larkin Lee and forcing his brother to fight him to the death but Larkin didn’t turn out to be the prisoner he expected and when the king asks him to go on a mission to find the bloodstone before his brother does things take a turn and those he trusted turn into enemies and revenge doesn’t really seem like the answer anymore. With so many twists and turns this is one adventure you will not be able to put down.

I was expecting a book about revenge, pirates and a bit of love, what I got was SOOOO much more. This book was non stop and I can’t even explain how many time I thought I might know what was going to happen only to realize that wasn’t it at all. I had trust issues after a while, I was scared to turn the page but needs to find out what happened next. Sword fights, betrayals (left and right), Magic (yes magic) Elves (yes elves), romance (not over powering it was awesome) and a story that kept me on my toes this book is unbelievably AWESOME and packed with so much it’s hard to believe it was all in just one book.

Did you want strong characters? You get a whole boat full of them. Some of the most amazing characters I ever read and I will be honest that I was a nervous wreck for all of them. Barren Reed was a stubborn, passionate and so very sure of himself, almost thinking he was invincible. His act not and think later cause more trouble then it should have. His need for revenge clouded his judgment but his chemistry with his crew, Larkin and open sea made me just fall in love with him. He is a very believable character, he is fantastically written and one I want to read more about. Larkin was FRUSTRATING at times she had a very closed mind but I understood, since she only had the word of her father and she had no reason not to believe him. She is raised to believe one thing only to have it all fall apart. She is a very strong character and you watch her open her mind to new possibilities. As frustrating as I found her to be at times she was fantastic and I loved reading about her and in her POV. Both Larkin and Barren together was amazing I loved there chemistry and I love how the romance of them wasn’t pushed in my face I really felt the story was more the main focus and budding romance was subtle in the background. You can tell they have a passion for each other but it wasn’t the main story. I was also very fond of Leaf Tavrini, he is an elf and I really have a thing for elves, he is strong, mysterious and has a fantastic sense of humor that it was hard not to love him. The entire crew was written so well I honestly loved them all. I was asked who my favorite character was by Ashley and I really had a very hard time answering her since love them all. It’s like asking me which one of my kids I like better I just can’t pick one. Like I tell my kids I love them both the same for different reasons. So Ashley that’s my answer, I love them all the same for different reasons ;)

Like I said already the story is a character in itself and is so strong that it’s just an amazing feeling reading this book. The details and knowledge of Pirates is noticeable and to throw in Elves and Magic you are in for a read that you are not expecting. The characters go through so much in this book and really keep you reading. I have never read a story quite like this and I am not sure if I ever have. I am not sure I can find the words that will do this book justice because I don’t know if I can say how amazing this book is. Fantasy, Pirates and Magic make for a unique read, I loved the twists and turn and I loved the outcome each time. I loved that things may or may not have worked out and that the good guy didn’t always come out on time. I loved how it ended and it made me just wants more. I want to say I can see where this is going to do but since so many times I have been wrong I just don’t know but I can’t wait :)

I gave Cutlass by Ashley Nixon 5/5 stars. Swashbuckling Pirates, Elves, Magic, Swordfights, revenge, trust issues and just when you think you know you don’t makes for an amazing read. Ashley has done an amazing job on her debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her. She is a phenomenal storyteller with a unique story. I recommend this as a must read, one that will keep you guessing and wanting more. I look am looking forward to the next book in the series I already miss them all. :)

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