What do you think?
Rate this book
The Eighth Chant #1
Seasons of Albadone
Four seasons. Four stories.
An aspiring enchantress searches for a way to lift a terrible curse.
A drunken father makes a dangerous wish.
A foreman tilts the balance between nature and progress. A mother travels with her dying child in search of a healer.
Four paths merge. Four destinies intertwine.
Adriel is an apprentice enchantress living in the forest of Albadone. Her teacher falls ill due to a terrible curse and sends her on a quest to fetch the ingredients for an enchantment that may save her. Upon returning to the cabin they share, Adriel stumbles upon a terrible secret.
Handel is an alcoholic father. His daughter's dying wish is for him to travel within the heart of the forest to seek the mysterious Wishing Tree. Handel finds the Tree, but the wish it grants may not be what he bargained for.
Brade is a foreman digging into the heart of the forest, seeking the volatile black water within its depths. The warnings he receives go unheeded, and he unknowingly sets into motion a terrible catastrophe.
Ashe's baby is dying. All the healers have left the woods of Albadone, so the desperate mother travels through the forest in search of anyone that may help. But the help that she finds comes at a terrible cost.
An aspiring enchantress searches for a way to lift a terrible curse.
A drunken father makes a dangerous wish.
A foreman tilts the balance between nature and progress. A mother travels with her dying child in search of a healer.
Four paths merge. Four destinies intertwine.
Adriel is an apprentice enchantress living in the forest of Albadone. Her teacher falls ill due to a terrible curse and sends her on a quest to fetch the ingredients for an enchantment that may save her. Upon returning to the cabin they share, Adriel stumbles upon a terrible secret.
Handel is an alcoholic father. His daughter's dying wish is for him to travel within the heart of the forest to seek the mysterious Wishing Tree. Handel finds the Tree, but the wish it grants may not be what he bargained for.
Brade is a foreman digging into the heart of the forest, seeking the volatile black water within its depths. The warnings he receives go unheeded, and he unknowingly sets into motion a terrible catastrophe.
Ashe's baby is dying. All the healers have left the woods of Albadone, so the desperate mother travels through the forest in search of anyone that may help. But the help that she finds comes at a terrible cost.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 24, 2024
This was exactly what I needed. Perfect grimm/fairy tale vibe short story collection with four stories that are all kinda intertwined.
Atmospheric, riveting and exciting. I feel like I need to try more fantasy short story collection now.
4.5/5
Atmospheric, riveting and exciting. I feel like I need to try more fantasy short story collection now.
4.5/5
September 1, 2022
4.5
This was so much different than I was expecting. The world felt enchanting but I quickly realized it is not all butterflies and rainbows. Enjoyed the direct prose that made the most of its descriptions. Another great self pub!
This was so much different than I was expecting. The world felt enchanting but I quickly realized it is not all butterflies and rainbows. Enjoyed the direct prose that made the most of its descriptions. Another great self pub!
November 1, 2021
This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷 Support me ☕
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Through experience I decided to stay a bit away from short stories because they don’t usually work for me. However, when I saw the cover of this book, I had a good feeling about it and I wanted to read it. I contacted the author and he provided me with a copy in exchange of an honest review which I am thankful for.
The stories are interesting because they take place in the four seasons of the year and I really enjoyed the introduction explaining why we have four seasons. The synopsis does a great job at hinting of what to expect in these short stories so check it for more info.
The prose is good and easy to read and the writing is atmospheric according to the season the story takes place in. I thought the stories were middle grade stories when I started reading the first one but then they got twisted and dark into what was obviously not MG fantasy and it was refreshing and unexpected!
The stories do have a connection with each other with a focus on the enchantress from the first story. It was one of the points that I expected more from as I thought they had a deeper connection or what I originally thought was one story. The thing is every story takes a few pages to get into and with every season the experience is repeated again which made it more like starting 4 different books.
The characters are interesting and we get to see different aspects of human personalities explored through these stories and as I said earlier, it has dark twists which make it thrilling to read.
Summary: I think the main problem I had with the book was my too high expectations. The book is a collection of 4 stories with a kind of connection among them. I liked the prose and the characters and I think the dark twists were unexpected and cool.
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Through experience I decided to stay a bit away from short stories because they don’t usually work for me. However, when I saw the cover of this book, I had a good feeling about it and I wanted to read it. I contacted the author and he provided me with a copy in exchange of an honest review which I am thankful for.
The stories are interesting because they take place in the four seasons of the year and I really enjoyed the introduction explaining why we have four seasons. The synopsis does a great job at hinting of what to expect in these short stories so check it for more info.
The prose is good and easy to read and the writing is atmospheric according to the season the story takes place in. I thought the stories were middle grade stories when I started reading the first one but then they got twisted and dark into what was obviously not MG fantasy and it was refreshing and unexpected!
The stories do have a connection with each other with a focus on the enchantress from the first story. It was one of the points that I expected more from as I thought they had a deeper connection or what I originally thought was one story. The thing is every story takes a few pages to get into and with every season the experience is repeated again which made it more like starting 4 different books.
The characters are interesting and we get to see different aspects of human personalities explored through these stories and as I said earlier, it has dark twists which make it thrilling to read.
Summary: I think the main problem I had with the book was my too high expectations. The book is a collection of 4 stories with a kind of connection among them. I liked the prose and the characters and I think the dark twists were unexpected and cool.
December 7, 2020
This story takes place over four seasons, telling four stories, that all merge and intertwine. In autumn, we are following an aspiring enchantress who is searching for a way to lift a curse. In winter, a drunk father who makes a dangerous wish. In spring, a foreman who upsets the balance between. And in summer, a mother who is traveling with her dying child, desperately searching for a healer.
The first thing that caught my attention while reading this book was the writing. The prose was magical with a very classic, traditional fantasy feel to it. Almost fairy tale-esque with its quaint towns, cozy cottages, and mysterious magic. As a huge fantasy fan, it felt very familiar as well as exciting, as I prepared to embark on a new journey.
For how short this book is, I am very impressed with how well the authors fleshed out the characters and created an instantly engaging story. I adored the characters and loved how many of them were morally grey and brought shocks and twists I was not expecting. This is definitely a more character-driven story - which I love. But the story far from lacked plot. The world created in this is mysterious and magical. I truly hope we can get more stories set here because I feel like there is much to still be explored.
I loved how each story in this held deeper meanings. Through watching people face their conflict, we also explored themes of life and family, the cost of progress, caring for our environment, and the way some people would rather settle for their small comforts than fight for something greater.
For this being a debut from these authors, I am very impressed and excited to read more in this series and from the authors. I highly recommend checking out Seasons of Albadone!
For more information and to check out where you can read the book, please click here!
The first thing that caught my attention while reading this book was the writing. The prose was magical with a very classic, traditional fantasy feel to it. Almost fairy tale-esque with its quaint towns, cozy cottages, and mysterious magic. As a huge fantasy fan, it felt very familiar as well as exciting, as I prepared to embark on a new journey.
For how short this book is, I am very impressed with how well the authors fleshed out the characters and created an instantly engaging story. I adored the characters and loved how many of them were morally grey and brought shocks and twists I was not expecting. This is definitely a more character-driven story - which I love. But the story far from lacked plot. The world created in this is mysterious and magical. I truly hope we can get more stories set here because I feel like there is much to still be explored.
I loved how each story in this held deeper meanings. Through watching people face their conflict, we also explored themes of life and family, the cost of progress, caring for our environment, and the way some people would rather settle for their small comforts than fight for something greater.
For this being a debut from these authors, I am very impressed and excited to read more in this series and from the authors. I highly recommend checking out Seasons of Albadone!
For more information and to check out where you can read the book, please click here!
June 6, 2023
Seasons of Albadone is a true breath of fresh air within the fantasy genre. Grimdark fantasy meets fairytales and folklore in this utterly enchanting yet hard hitting gem of a book. Who knew that whimsy and emotional destruction could work so well together?
This book is divided up into four seasons, with each season introducing a new POV character and telling their personal story. And the way that these four separate stories intertwine and merge together into a cohesive narrative is just pure magic.
This isn’t a story about chosen ones or legendary heroes and leaders. Instead, it’s an intimate story about ordinary people who are all fighting their own silent battles, and that’s exactly what makes it so impactful.
From the very first page, this book lured me in with its immersive world building and atmospheric writing. The authors’ prose beautifully echoes the older oral storytelling traditions and that gives this entire book a certain level of warmth and cosiness which I absolutely loved.
The setting of Albadone also almost feels like a character in itself and it’s just truly astounding to me how vibrant and lived-in this world felt without there being a single info-dump in sight.
The first two stories were my personal favourites, but there wasn’t a single moment in this book that didn’t grip me. There’s just so much raw human emotion bleeding through these pages, so even if you can’t relate on a personal level to one of the stories, it’s still nearly impossible not to be emotionally affected by all of their harrowing journeys. Each story is just so beautifully and painfully human, and I loved that.
Yet even though there's a lot of darkness, I wouldn’t call this a difficult or emotionally draining read. The darker tones are wonderfully balanced out by lighter themes of hope, family, and healing, plus the whimsical fantasy elements effectively evoke a feeling of wonder and joy.
You could read one story each day and really savour all the beauty and richness that is packed within these pages, or you could let yourself get totally lost in this alluring fantasy world and binge the entire thing in one day. Whatever you end up doing, I can assure you that this will be an incredibly moving and magical reading experience.
If you ever need a short palate cleanser read that really packs a punch and that you won't immediately forget about as soon as you put it down, then you have to check out Seasons of Albadone. I can't recommend it highly enough!
This book is divided up into four seasons, with each season introducing a new POV character and telling their personal story. And the way that these four separate stories intertwine and merge together into a cohesive narrative is just pure magic.
This isn’t a story about chosen ones or legendary heroes and leaders. Instead, it’s an intimate story about ordinary people who are all fighting their own silent battles, and that’s exactly what makes it so impactful.
From the very first page, this book lured me in with its immersive world building and atmospheric writing. The authors’ prose beautifully echoes the older oral storytelling traditions and that gives this entire book a certain level of warmth and cosiness which I absolutely loved.
The setting of Albadone also almost feels like a character in itself and it’s just truly astounding to me how vibrant and lived-in this world felt without there being a single info-dump in sight.
The first two stories were my personal favourites, but there wasn’t a single moment in this book that didn’t grip me. There’s just so much raw human emotion bleeding through these pages, so even if you can’t relate on a personal level to one of the stories, it’s still nearly impossible not to be emotionally affected by all of their harrowing journeys. Each story is just so beautifully and painfully human, and I loved that.
Yet even though there's a lot of darkness, I wouldn’t call this a difficult or emotionally draining read. The darker tones are wonderfully balanced out by lighter themes of hope, family, and healing, plus the whimsical fantasy elements effectively evoke a feeling of wonder and joy.
You could read one story each day and really savour all the beauty and richness that is packed within these pages, or you could let yourself get totally lost in this alluring fantasy world and binge the entire thing in one day. Whatever you end up doing, I can assure you that this will be an incredibly moving and magical reading experience.
If you ever need a short palate cleanser read that really packs a punch and that you won't immediately forget about as soon as you put it down, then you have to check out Seasons of Albadone. I can't recommend it highly enough!
February 17, 2023
4.5/5
Season of Albadone is a beautifully written homage to grim fairytales.
I usually don't love short story/novella-style books that are stitched together into a cohesive narrative. With that made clear, this works! It cannot be easy writing 4 separate POVs and then making the story flow so seamlessly. This is accomplished using time jumps, and small location shifts, and carry-over characters.
Overall I have no complaints here. One thing that did catch me off guard was how dark the story was. When I saw the cover with a clear sky and a light whimsical font overlooking a forest. I was unprepared for the dark elements of the story. It is a small critique but one I want to mention.
Let's break out this book with some ratings
Structure 5/5 loved it
Darkness 4/5 I felt it was fairly dark
Inventiveness 3/5 Fans of grim fairy tales will love this
Prose 3/5 incredibly readable
Pacing 4/5 it moves fast
Story 5/5 seen as a whole its fantastic
Characterization 5/5 my heart still hurts for these characters
Overall 4.5/5 a fantastic debut
Season of Albadone is a beautifully written homage to grim fairytales.
I usually don't love short story/novella-style books that are stitched together into a cohesive narrative. With that made clear, this works! It cannot be easy writing 4 separate POVs and then making the story flow so seamlessly. This is accomplished using time jumps, and small location shifts, and carry-over characters.
Overall I have no complaints here. One thing that did catch me off guard was how dark the story was. When I saw the cover with a clear sky and a light whimsical font overlooking a forest. I was unprepared for the dark elements of the story. It is a small critique but one I want to mention.
Let's break out this book with some ratings
Structure 5/5 loved it
Darkness 4/5 I felt it was fairly dark
Inventiveness 3/5 Fans of grim fairy tales will love this
Prose 3/5 incredibly readable
Pacing 4/5 it moves fast
Story 5/5 seen as a whole its fantastic
Characterization 5/5 my heart still hurts for these characters
Overall 4.5/5 a fantastic debut
January 16, 2023
4/5
Grimdark flavor fairytale fantasy with Miyazaki nature vibes.
I could not put this one down! It's been a while since I had a good 1-2 day read, and Albadone came through in SPADES. There are equal amounts of peril and whimsy, progress and destruction, and the characters stuck in the middle of all of it.
The book is separated into four "seasons" with different POV characters, tied together by their environment and a subtle throughline. The worldbuilding in this is so good, it doesn't take away from the characters but adds so much color and richness to the story.
I really loved the first two seasons/stories. Like, REALLY loved them. The second one is my favorite by far. I felt like I was reading a Grimm's Fairytale but with a huge extra helping of feels.
The last two stories didn't hit me quite as hard as the first two and the last little bit felt somewhat rushed, but I enjoyed this a lot, and had a really hard time putting it down from beginning to end. This is one I would recommend to a lot of different readers.
Grimdark flavor fairytale fantasy with Miyazaki nature vibes.
I could not put this one down! It's been a while since I had a good 1-2 day read, and Albadone came through in SPADES. There are equal amounts of peril and whimsy, progress and destruction, and the characters stuck in the middle of all of it.
The book is separated into four "seasons" with different POV characters, tied together by their environment and a subtle throughline. The worldbuilding in this is so good, it doesn't take away from the characters but adds so much color and richness to the story.
I really loved the first two seasons/stories. Like, REALLY loved them. The second one is my favorite by far. I felt like I was reading a Grimm's Fairytale but with a huge extra helping of feels.
The last two stories didn't hit me quite as hard as the first two and the last little bit felt somewhat rushed, but I enjoyed this a lot, and had a really hard time putting it down from beginning to end. This is one I would recommend to a lot of different readers.
December 3, 2022
Brb crying
Ok back from crying
Seasons of Albadone was an easy stars for me. This is a collection of four stories taking place in each of the four seasons. The main thread running through the stories is that of searching - an enchantress searching for a way to lift a curse, a father searching for a cure for his daughter, a man searching for absolution and a mother searching for a healer for her daughter.
The stories all take place in and around Albadone, the place itself feeling like a living and breathing character in the book. The stories are crafted like folktales- with rustic charm and soft magic making everyday mundane tasks seem magical. There's a warmth and coziness to the writing which feels like honey on warm toast. I absolutely loved the world building which gives us enough to sink our teeth into without feeling overwhelming.
The characters in this book are strikingly distinct and stay with long after the end. There are also recurrent background characters who make the reading experience richer. The plot of the stories are loosely connected. You definitely have to read them in order to experience the book as it is meant to be. Each story is self contained which made it easy for me to pause in the middle because of my exams. Don't get me wrong - this book is compulsively readable and I would have finished it in one sitting if not for my exams!
Seasons of Albadone is a thematically rich, imaginative and sometimes heart-rending book with folklore elements. Don't be fooled by the cozy cover, it made me tear up numerous times. I'm now eagerly waiting for the next book in the series to release!
Ok back from crying
Seasons of Albadone was an easy stars for me. This is a collection of four stories taking place in each of the four seasons. The main thread running through the stories is that of searching - an enchantress searching for a way to lift a curse, a father searching for a cure for his daughter, a man searching for absolution and a mother searching for a healer for her daughter.
The stories all take place in and around Albadone, the place itself feeling like a living and breathing character in the book. The stories are crafted like folktales- with rustic charm and soft magic making everyday mundane tasks seem magical. There's a warmth and coziness to the writing which feels like honey on warm toast. I absolutely loved the world building which gives us enough to sink our teeth into without feeling overwhelming.
The characters in this book are strikingly distinct and stay with long after the end. There are also recurrent background characters who make the reading experience richer. The plot of the stories are loosely connected. You definitely have to read them in order to experience the book as it is meant to be. Each story is self contained which made it easy for me to pause in the middle because of my exams. Don't get me wrong - this book is compulsively readable and I would have finished it in one sitting if not for my exams!
Seasons of Albadone is a thematically rich, imaginative and sometimes heart-rending book with folklore elements. Don't be fooled by the cozy cover, it made me tear up numerous times. I'm now eagerly waiting for the next book in the series to release!
June 23, 2022
If you’re looking for a short read, you can’t go wrong with this one. Seasons of Albadone tells four loosely connected stories that weave into a greater narrative.
There are so many great things about this book....
Characters? Charmingly flawed, and so so human
Story? Dark but somehow warm at the same time
Setting? Derivative but in a good way, that lets the author play on your assumptions.
Pacing? Perfection
It’s a breeze to read, uplifting while also saddening, and introduces a world in a unique and captivating way.
It’s been a while since I was so enchanted. Can’t wait for more.
There are so many great things about this book....
Characters? Charmingly flawed, and so so human
Story? Dark but somehow warm at the same time
Setting? Derivative but in a good way, that lets the author play on your assumptions.
Pacing? Perfection
It’s a breeze to read, uplifting while also saddening, and introduces a world in a unique and captivating way.
It’s been a while since I was so enchanted. Can’t wait for more.
January 5, 2021
More reviews at undertheradarsffbooks.com
I know what you are thinking, because I had the same thought the first time I look at the cover. Beautiful but leaning more towards the younger crowd where everything will magically work out in the end. WRONG! Do not judge this book by its cover and make the same mistake I did. This novel is so much more than what it seems and the authors should be commended for their creativity and execution. But beware, this novel is not for the faint of heart. The authors will tug on your heart stings time and time again with a tear always willing to make its way down my cheek with the right push. Let me tell you a tale of the Seasons of Albadone.
This story takes place over four season in a land called Albadone. Surrounded by forest and wildlife with purpose of preserving mother life. Each story follows 4 main POV each connected to the larger world. For Autumn we follow an assistant enchantress making her way through the woods when she is tasked with lifting a terrible curse. In Winter we follow a drunk who makes a dangerous wish to save his daughter. In Spring we follow a foreman with a heartbreaking childhood looking to discover the truth. Finally we have Summer where a mother must look for a healer for her dying child. Each character is flawed and needs to make drastic decisions to achieve there goals.
What immediately stands out about this novel is the writing style. Very fast paced but writing almost with a classical feel as if the authors are writing a folktale. It is also very important to note that this story will not be for everyone. Have you ever watched a Disney movie such as Beauty and the Beast or the Little Mermaid and then decided to look up the folktale of where the inspiration came from? The tale you find is filled with heartbreak and tragedies to the point where you need to watch a comedy show just to have a laugh. This story has all of these elements in spades as each story talks about the greed and lust of humanity with the characters having to live with the consequences. You will not be expecting the story to go down the roads it does and it will definitely give you a wake up call to the larger world and the choices that people make everyday.
Seasons of Albadone was a slow read for me as I wanted to enjoy and think about each story’s themes and actions the characters make. At just over 200 pages, this novel can be read in a day with the enjoyment of a tightknit, character driven tale. The stories will not end the way you expect and it will make you think about the choices people make in their greedy ways and unending desires. What sacrifices would you make to save the people you love? How far will you push yourselves in your darkest hour? Don’t underestimate the emotional impact these stories will have on you and see why as the Seasons turn, so too must the choices of mankind.
I’m ecstatic to have found this great work and I sure hope there is a sequel in the works soon!
Cheers!
I know what you are thinking, because I had the same thought the first time I look at the cover. Beautiful but leaning more towards the younger crowd where everything will magically work out in the end. WRONG! Do not judge this book by its cover and make the same mistake I did. This novel is so much more than what it seems and the authors should be commended for their creativity and execution. But beware, this novel is not for the faint of heart. The authors will tug on your heart stings time and time again with a tear always willing to make its way down my cheek with the right push. Let me tell you a tale of the Seasons of Albadone.
This story takes place over four season in a land called Albadone. Surrounded by forest and wildlife with purpose of preserving mother life. Each story follows 4 main POV each connected to the larger world. For Autumn we follow an assistant enchantress making her way through the woods when she is tasked with lifting a terrible curse. In Winter we follow a drunk who makes a dangerous wish to save his daughter. In Spring we follow a foreman with a heartbreaking childhood looking to discover the truth. Finally we have Summer where a mother must look for a healer for her dying child. Each character is flawed and needs to make drastic decisions to achieve there goals.
What immediately stands out about this novel is the writing style. Very fast paced but writing almost with a classical feel as if the authors are writing a folktale. It is also very important to note that this story will not be for everyone. Have you ever watched a Disney movie such as Beauty and the Beast or the Little Mermaid and then decided to look up the folktale of where the inspiration came from? The tale you find is filled with heartbreak and tragedies to the point where you need to watch a comedy show just to have a laugh. This story has all of these elements in spades as each story talks about the greed and lust of humanity with the characters having to live with the consequences. You will not be expecting the story to go down the roads it does and it will definitely give you a wake up call to the larger world and the choices that people make everyday.
Seasons of Albadone was a slow read for me as I wanted to enjoy and think about each story’s themes and actions the characters make. At just over 200 pages, this novel can be read in a day with the enjoyment of a tightknit, character driven tale. The stories will not end the way you expect and it will make you think about the choices people make in their greedy ways and unending desires. What sacrifices would you make to save the people you love? How far will you push yourselves in your darkest hour? Don’t underestimate the emotional impact these stories will have on you and see why as the Seasons turn, so too must the choices of mankind.
I’m ecstatic to have found this great work and I sure hope there is a sequel in the works soon!
Cheers!
July 25, 2022
Full review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pppuc...
Excellent! I enjoyed every second of it and I can't wait for book 2!
Excellent! I enjoyed every second of it and I can't wait for book 2!
September 25, 2022
I bought this book based on the cover alone as it gave me “Breath of the Wild” vibes. I never bothered to read the book description so I was a little shocked when I realized I was reading a series of short stories that all link up to create one bigger story.
Seasons of Albadone is honestly a rich and whimsical world you are not going to forget anytime soon. This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster and pull at your heartstrings in all the right ways. While this is a very quick and easy read I found myself not wanting to stop and wishing that the book was longer.
I will say though this is not your typical fairy tale it's more of a grim dark style fairy tale that makes you question the morality of both good and evil and at times shows you the actions of each. If you’re looking for a good palate cleanser look no further.
Seasons of Albadone is honestly a rich and whimsical world you are not going to forget anytime soon. This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster and pull at your heartstrings in all the right ways. While this is a very quick and easy read I found myself not wanting to stop and wishing that the book was longer.
I will say though this is not your typical fairy tale it's more of a grim dark style fairy tale that makes you question the morality of both good and evil and at times shows you the actions of each. If you’re looking for a good palate cleanser look no further.
August 15, 2022
The review
Score: 4.25 out of 5 points
Full review here: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Interview with Elan Marché and Christopher Warman: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Seasons of Albadone is the first installment in the Eighth Chant series, written by Elan Marché and Christopher Warman. Written as a succession of seasons, it features four different stories that are intertwined, and which surprised me for the good. I really loved the book, and devoured it in a single afternoon while enjoying it so much.
Let's start talking about Albadone, a world that we could describe as magical and close to folklore. In the question of development, I would say it is in a moment between Medieval age and Renassaince. We are going to mostly be in around of Sol Forne, a zone with a really dense forest, where these different stories will happen.
It is difficult to talk so much about the stories without spoiling them, but I want to highlight what is shared between all of them: a great look-alike other folklore tales, unexpected twists, and what for me is the main strength of Marché-Warman duo, how emotional they are. Almost all of them hit me hard (we can discuss the Spring one, but still). Characters are certainly unique, being my favourite the Mother, whose story is probably the one that impacted me most.
In definitive, I really enjoyed Seasons of Albadone, and I recommend it to any fantasy lover, as it is a really chill book, something you can take and read while chilling. Can't wait to see what A Contract in Sol Forne brings with it.
Score: 4.25 out of 5 points
Full review here: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Interview with Elan Marché and Christopher Warman: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Seasons of Albadone is the first installment in the Eighth Chant series, written by Elan Marché and Christopher Warman. Written as a succession of seasons, it features four different stories that are intertwined, and which surprised me for the good. I really loved the book, and devoured it in a single afternoon while enjoying it so much.
Let's start talking about Albadone, a world that we could describe as magical and close to folklore. In the question of development, I would say it is in a moment between Medieval age and Renassaince. We are going to mostly be in around of Sol Forne, a zone with a really dense forest, where these different stories will happen.
It is difficult to talk so much about the stories without spoiling them, but I want to highlight what is shared between all of them: a great look-alike other folklore tales, unexpected twists, and what for me is the main strength of Marché-Warman duo, how emotional they are. Almost all of them hit me hard (we can discuss the Spring one, but still). Characters are certainly unique, being my favourite the Mother, whose story is probably the one that impacted me most.
In definitive, I really enjoyed Seasons of Albadone, and I recommend it to any fantasy lover, as it is a really chill book, something you can take and read while chilling. Can't wait to see what A Contract in Sol Forne brings with it.
November 23, 2021
Thanks so much to the author Christopher Warman for giving me a copy of the book for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This is a wonderful and heartbreakingly beautiful book. It has a classic fairytale feel to it that I really didn't know I would love but I did. At the beginning we get introduced to the legend of the True One and the creation of the world and the guardians, which it's a great way to suck you in because at the end of it we get a sense that everything is good but it never is as that same legend showed.
As we get to see every season in Albadone, starting with Autumn, we get a sense of dread building slowly until the end of season. I really enjoyed it even though I saw the end of it coming.
Winter was tough for me personally. Not really because of what happened in the story but because I still have my father's death hanging over me. I feltpain in the story and by the end of it left sobbing. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.
By the time Spring came I thought things were going to get better not worse. Oh, but how wrong I was! I didn't think a character fate, and a secondary one at that, would have such a punch but it had. And that their fate would later relate to everything that happened after.
I was out cold when Summer came.
At first we see, as in previous seasons, a different character that has to face something terrible. And as she fights her way through every obstacle and keeps going, and fights for her child. We see that all her love and strength has nothing to do with her body. By the end I was sobbing again.
The world building was rich and very well thought out. With each story the world spans little by little.
The descriptions were fantastic. I could see hear, taste, even smell that world. It was amazing how real this world felt! I didn’t want it to end.
The magic-system was wonderful and intriguing enough that I would like to explore more of it.
The characters were amazing each and every one we followed during the seasons. Each one had a distinctive personality and were very relatable. Every one of these journeys felt very unique and heartbreaking in their own way.
The overarching plot was very we ingeniously woven into each story. By the end, I can’t stop thinking about the implications of that ending, and of course, how it could continue. The very last sentence left me a sense of hope after all that happened that it’s strange and wonderful to finish a book that way.
This is a wonderful and heartbreakingly beautiful book. It has a classic fairytale feel to it that I really didn't know I would love but I did. At the beginning we get introduced to the legend of the True One and the creation of the world and the guardians, which it's a great way to suck you in because at the end of it we get a sense that everything is good but it never is as that same legend showed.
As we get to see every season in Albadone, starting with Autumn, we get a sense of dread building slowly until the end of season. I really enjoyed it even though I saw the end of it coming.
Winter was tough for me personally. Not really because of what happened in the story but because I still have my father's death hanging over me. I feltpain in the story and by the end of it left sobbing. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.
By the time Spring came I thought things were going to get better not worse. Oh, but how wrong I was! I didn't think a character fate, and a secondary one at that, would have such a punch but it had. And that their fate would later relate to everything that happened after.
I was out cold when Summer came.
At first we see, as in previous seasons, a different character that has to face something terrible. And as she fights her way through every obstacle and keeps going, and fights for her child. We see that all her love and strength has nothing to do with her body. By the end I was sobbing again.
The world building was rich and very well thought out. With each story the world spans little by little.
The descriptions were fantastic. I could see hear, taste, even smell that world. It was amazing how real this world felt! I didn’t want it to end.
The magic-system was wonderful and intriguing enough that I would like to explore more of it.
The characters were amazing each and every one we followed during the seasons. Each one had a distinctive personality and were very relatable. Every one of these journeys felt very unique and heartbreaking in their own way.
The overarching plot was very we ingeniously woven into each story. By the end, I can’t stop thinking about the implications of that ending, and of course, how it could continue. The very last sentence left me a sense of hope after all that happened that it’s strange and wonderful to finish a book that way.
March 11, 2024
4/5
Fairy tales meets grimdark in this brilliant collection of four short stories, all interwoven with each other, set during each of the four seasons:
Autumn - A fantastical yet deceiving tale of magic, witches and found family with an incredibly sinister twist.
Winter - A suffering, depressed, alcoholic father at the brink due to his daughter’s terminal illness. Determined to give anything & everything to find a cure, whilst struggling to battle his own demons. When all hope seems lost, it can be found in the most unlikely of places. Heartbreaking, depressing and bleak to reflect the darker aspects of the season itself. Easily my favourite of the four.
Spring - The story centres around a foreman with a traumatic past as he attempts to improve his lot in life as well as that of those around him as he attempts to bring his village into a new age. Contrasting brilliantly with the previous story of Winter; Spring once again stars a committed family man doing his very best to provide for them, whilst the act of providing pulls him further away from them, as well as pulling him closer to unknowingly unleashing devastation upon the land.
Summer - A desperate mother’s quest to save her dying child takes her into the dark heart of a deep forest where she is faced with terrible choices in order to protect her child.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it for all fans of fantasy. It covers many different aspects of storytelling with each story having distinctly different themes to echo the season they take part in. There’s an overarching story throughout the tales as fantasy meets horror meets mystery. Beautifully written, and very introspective. This almost felt like a fantasy interpretation of the show Black Mirror.
Fairy tales meets grimdark in this brilliant collection of four short stories, all interwoven with each other, set during each of the four seasons:
Autumn - A fantastical yet deceiving tale of magic, witches and found family with an incredibly sinister twist.
Winter - A suffering, depressed, alcoholic father at the brink due to his daughter’s terminal illness. Determined to give anything & everything to find a cure, whilst struggling to battle his own demons. When all hope seems lost, it can be found in the most unlikely of places. Heartbreaking, depressing and bleak to reflect the darker aspects of the season itself. Easily my favourite of the four.
Spring - The story centres around a foreman with a traumatic past as he attempts to improve his lot in life as well as that of those around him as he attempts to bring his village into a new age. Contrasting brilliantly with the previous story of Winter; Spring once again stars a committed family man doing his very best to provide for them, whilst the act of providing pulls him further away from them, as well as pulling him closer to unknowingly unleashing devastation upon the land.
Summer - A desperate mother’s quest to save her dying child takes her into the dark heart of a deep forest where she is faced with terrible choices in order to protect her child.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it for all fans of fantasy. It covers many different aspects of storytelling with each story having distinctly different themes to echo the season they take part in. There’s an overarching story throughout the tales as fantasy meets horror meets mystery. Beautifully written, and very introspective. This almost felt like a fantasy interpretation of the show Black Mirror.
October 27, 2021
Four Seasons. Four Stories. A wonderfully crafted folktale you are unlikely to forget. Welcome all to the land of Albadone.
February 23, 2021
This book WAS SOOO GOOD it literally had me hooked from page 1.
It’s a fantasy tale following four different characters in four different seasons. I think my jaw dropped at the end of every single story. The writing was captivating and the pacing was perfect. Something I really enjoyed about this book was how dark it got and how much that added to the atmosphere of these stories. It felt so whimsical and twisted and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time I NEVER FELT SAFE.
Although it followed 4 completely different characters living completely separate lives, each story intertwined in such a satisfying way. AND THAT ENDINGGGGG.
I literally CANNOT wait to see what happens next and to be back in this world. I look forward to learning more about this world and the magic and mystical creatures and about certain characters that I NEEED to know more about. I know it’s only gonna get better from here.
It’s a fantasy tale following four different characters in four different seasons. I think my jaw dropped at the end of every single story. The writing was captivating and the pacing was perfect. Something I really enjoyed about this book was how dark it got and how much that added to the atmosphere of these stories. It felt so whimsical and twisted and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time I NEVER FELT SAFE.
Although it followed 4 completely different characters living completely separate lives, each story intertwined in such a satisfying way. AND THAT ENDINGGGGG.
I literally CANNOT wait to see what happens next and to be back in this world. I look forward to learning more about this world and the magic and mystical creatures and about certain characters that I NEEED to know more about. I know it’s only gonna get better from here.
October 29, 2022
This was so much darker than I thought it would be. The four stories are all part of a bigger picture and you can see it well in the last two ones. I really liked the world, it felt yes very dark but also full of hope and culture that I'd love to know better.
The map is very big and it shows more places than the ones mentioned, plus the whole story feels very much like a prequel to something. Is that what this is? I do hope so, cause I'd be interested in reading a full novel.
I don't usually read short stories but these were good, and I liked the writing style. It's very easy and simple, which makes this already short book even quicker to read.
The map is very big and it shows more places than the ones mentioned, plus the whole story feels very much like a prequel to something. Is that what this is? I do hope so, cause I'd be interested in reading a full novel.
I don't usually read short stories but these were good, and I liked the writing style. It's very easy and simple, which makes this already short book even quicker to read.
May 21, 2021
A great collection of cosy, atmospheric folk tales with a distinct grimm's fairy tale twist (it gets DARK).
February 3, 2024
4.5 Stars - Four fairytales with a compelling throughline
For the full review, check out: https://medium.com/hooked-on-books/bo...
What's the story about: Seasons of Albadone is an anthology collection that tells four different tales during the seasons of a year. The first is of a young witch who must help someone in need. The second is about a drunken father who must deal with the consequences of his life and help his daughter. The third is about a man struggling with a loss in his past and tries to come to terms with it while helping bring the world into a new age. And the last one is about a young mother whose life has been thrown into chaos and it becomes a race against time to save her hurt daughter. While they are different stories, they are connected in some major and minor ways.
Seasons of Albadone is a wonderful introduction to The Eighth Chant series and a great book by itself! Each of the stories is self-contained, but dramatically epic on an emotional and character level. What impressed me the most in reading this short book was how skillfully Marche and Warman utilized all the aspects of a finely woven tale. The progression is flawless, the focus is precise, and the intentionality comes out in every detail they included in each story; basically, this book is one that points to a much higher quality than a lot of content on Kindle Unlimited. I was thoroughly invested in the characters and their experiences and while there were some slight dalliances of disbelief, overall this is a nearly perfect read. I would highly recommend checking out Seasons of Albadone and I'm very excited for the sequel, A Contract in Sol Forne!
For the full review, check out: https://medium.com/hooked-on-books/bo...
What's the story about: Seasons of Albadone is an anthology collection that tells four different tales during the seasons of a year. The first is of a young witch who must help someone in need. The second is about a drunken father who must deal with the consequences of his life and help his daughter. The third is about a man struggling with a loss in his past and tries to come to terms with it while helping bring the world into a new age. And the last one is about a young mother whose life has been thrown into chaos and it becomes a race against time to save her hurt daughter. While they are different stories, they are connected in some major and minor ways.
Seasons of Albadone is a wonderful introduction to The Eighth Chant series and a great book by itself! Each of the stories is self-contained, but dramatically epic on an emotional and character level. What impressed me the most in reading this short book was how skillfully Marche and Warman utilized all the aspects of a finely woven tale. The progression is flawless, the focus is precise, and the intentionality comes out in every detail they included in each story; basically, this book is one that points to a much higher quality than a lot of content on Kindle Unlimited. I was thoroughly invested in the characters and their experiences and while there were some slight dalliances of disbelief, overall this is a nearly perfect read. I would highly recommend checking out Seasons of Albadone and I'm very excited for the sequel, A Contract in Sol Forne!
June 23, 2022
I loved this! Four short stories that all intertwine together to form a really great novel. I really think the format of this does wonders. There are tons of small connections that you can make through each story. The worldbuilding and magic are in just the right number of hints and snippets, the characters are all wonderful and the themes of each story all play off each other in so many ways. Albadone is pretty much perfect.
December 12, 2023
Book 1 in the Eighth Chant Series.
This is a book told in four parts, for the four seasons. Each part/season has a new POV, but all in the same world of Albadone. It has the feel of fairy tales, but in a very dark way - reminscient of Grimm's Fairy Tales.
It was such an interesting and uniquie read. I love how everything was interconnected, even when you didn't think it was. Winter was my favorite POV. I could really feel his struggles. Initial Rating - 4 stars.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7 - The characters were good but not great. I was easily drawn to the winter POV the most becuse it felt the strongest to me.
Atmosphere/Setting: 8 - The atmosphere was good; I could feel it most of the time. Setting was great. I knew wehre I was almost always and could imagine it.
Writing Style: 7 - The writing style was unique. It reminded a lot of the Grimm fairy tales. Dark fairy tale feel. The writing was good but didn't really grab me.
Plot: 5 - It wasn't until the very end did I see an over arching plot. It felt like each part was almost a short story that could stand on its own.
Intrgue: 8.5 - I had so much intrigue. Just in the story themselves, I was interested to see what was going to happen. And then how was this one story connected with the rest and will affect the others and Albadone.
Logic/Relationships: 7 - As far as logic, somehow, everything made sense to me. I didn't question how or why something happened at all. Some relationships were portrayed great, while others could have been stronger.
Enjoyment: 7 - I liked it but I didn't love it. It was written well, just didn't grab me.
CAWPILE Total: 49.5/7 = 7.07 = 4 stars
This is a book told in four parts, for the four seasons. Each part/season has a new POV, but all in the same world of Albadone. It has the feel of fairy tales, but in a very dark way - reminscient of Grimm's Fairy Tales.
It was such an interesting and uniquie read. I love how everything was interconnected, even when you didn't think it was. Winter was my favorite POV. I could really feel his struggles. Initial Rating - 4 stars.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7 - The characters were good but not great. I was easily drawn to the winter POV the most becuse it felt the strongest to me.
Atmosphere/Setting: 8 - The atmosphere was good; I could feel it most of the time. Setting was great. I knew wehre I was almost always and could imagine it.
Writing Style: 7 - The writing style was unique. It reminded a lot of the Grimm fairy tales. Dark fairy tale feel. The writing was good but didn't really grab me.
Plot: 5 - It wasn't until the very end did I see an over arching plot. It felt like each part was almost a short story that could stand on its own.
Intrgue: 8.5 - I had so much intrigue. Just in the story themselves, I was interested to see what was going to happen. And then how was this one story connected with the rest and will affect the others and Albadone.
Logic/Relationships: 7 - As far as logic, somehow, everything made sense to me. I didn't question how or why something happened at all. Some relationships were portrayed great, while others could have been stronger.
Enjoyment: 7 - I liked it but I didn't love it. It was written well, just didn't grab me.
CAWPILE Total: 49.5/7 = 7.07 = 4 stars
December 9, 2021
Seasons of Albadone is a short book made of short stories, each a bleak but thought-provoking character portrait of a villager living in Albadone. The characterizations are, in my opinion, the strength of the book, and from them, the stories grow and connect beautifully.
I did not know what to expect at first (if a book comes recommended, I pretty much follow it blindly), but the book itself was a ride. It took me to a sleepy, serene village before catapulting me into something darker, more sinister. What I really liked, however, is that this is never really presented as an evil, but rather a necessary force in the balance of nature. The real "evil," in terms of an intended, immoral harm, comes from the villagers, themselves.
Seasons of Albadone has a pleasant writing style coupled with imaginative descriptions that tickled all the senses. The prose is simple but layered and has the thoughtful, nostalgic feel of a folktale. It took a bit of time to settle into the world—as with many fantasy books—but once I hit Handel, I did not want to let go.
Check it out if you like fantasy fairy tales with a dark twist!
I did not know what to expect at first (if a book comes recommended, I pretty much follow it blindly), but the book itself was a ride. It took me to a sleepy, serene village before catapulting me into something darker, more sinister. What I really liked, however, is that this is never really presented as an evil, but rather a necessary force in the balance of nature. The real "evil," in terms of an intended, immoral harm, comes from the villagers, themselves.
Seasons of Albadone has a pleasant writing style coupled with imaginative descriptions that tickled all the senses. The prose is simple but layered and has the thoughtful, nostalgic feel of a folktale. It took a bit of time to settle into the world—as with many fantasy books—but once I hit Handel, I did not want to let go.
Check it out if you like fantasy fairy tales with a dark twist!
April 29, 2023
I was not prepared for this! Once in a while you are completely blown away by a book and here is such an example for me.
„Seasons of Albadone“ by Élan Marché and Christopher Warman follows four characters in the forest of Albadone. Every character’s story is dedicated to a season and they are all in some way connected to each other.
Judging from the cover I was expecting some whimsical stories but this is actually really dark! Honestly!
The writing style is very immersive! I could not put the stories down as soon as I started one. I really loved the descriptions and characterizations. Not all characters were likeable but their journeys still captivated me completely! Which is pretty impressive in my opinion.
This is such a memorable read! I hope to read more from these authors and I really loved the unique short story concept! Give it a try if you like dark fairytales!
„Seasons of Albadone“ by Élan Marché and Christopher Warman follows four characters in the forest of Albadone. Every character’s story is dedicated to a season and they are all in some way connected to each other.
Judging from the cover I was expecting some whimsical stories but this is actually really dark! Honestly!
The writing style is very immersive! I could not put the stories down as soon as I started one. I really loved the descriptions and characterizations. Not all characters were likeable but their journeys still captivated me completely! Which is pretty impressive in my opinion.
This is such a memorable read! I hope to read more from these authors and I really loved the unique short story concept! Give it a try if you like dark fairytales!
April 8, 2023
Four fairytales in the truest sense.
Based on the cover and how the story begins, I was expecting something pretty lighthearted, but don't be deceived. Seasons of Albadone tells four stories very akin to fairytales, in the trust sense. Thinsg are darker than they appear, and while light may one day come, there can be no light without shadow.
Recommended read.
Based on the cover and how the story begins, I was expecting something pretty lighthearted, but don't be deceived. Seasons of Albadone tells four stories very akin to fairytales, in the trust sense. Thinsg are darker than they appear, and while light may one day come, there can be no light without shadow.
Recommended read.
January 2, 2023
4.5 stars
Not at all what I was expecting, and in the best way possible.
Not at all what I was expecting, and in the best way possible.
March 28, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. It reads to me like a folktale/fairytale, it has that classical feel and rich world building, with interesting characters who are, despite book being short, layered and feel real. Structure of this book really worked for the story it told. Enchantresses, wood magic, creatures long forgotten, it all added to the story and I loved it. It surprised me how dark it went but I was all for it. Highly recommed.
August 4, 2023
Seasons of Albadone by Élan Marché and Christopher Warman is not an easy one to review, because I neither loved nor disliked it. There are things I really liked, and I was compelled enough to read it to the end, but I never really cared for most of the characters.
I don't think I'm the intended target audience, as I'm usually not a fan of short stories, and I never enjoyed fairy tales, so this might be the reason it didn't work for me - there's so many people who adored it. I read it on recommendation, and had no idea it wasn't one novel, but 4 slightly interconnected stories.
The land of Albadone was interesting, and the way the current seasons changed the next story was well done, however for such a short book it felt like starting over with each new story. Switching POV every 50 pages or so meant none of the characters were developed well enough for me to really feel for or with them. Instead of being part of the story, I felt like I was just observing what was happening, if that makes sense.
The story gets quite dark in places, trigger warnings might apply, especially for
If you enjoy short stories and more of a folklore / fairy tale sort of storytelling, then this might be the perfect book for you, even if it wasn't for me!
I don't think I'm the intended target audience, as I'm usually not a fan of short stories, and I never enjoyed fairy tales, so this might be the reason it didn't work for me - there's so many people who adored it. I read it on recommendation, and had no idea it wasn't one novel, but 4 slightly interconnected stories.
The land of Albadone was interesting, and the way the current seasons changed the next story was well done, however for such a short book it felt like starting over with each new story. Switching POV every 50 pages or so meant none of the characters were developed well enough for me to really feel for or with them. Instead of being part of the story, I felt like I was just observing what was happening, if that makes sense.
The story gets quite dark in places, trigger warnings might apply, especially for
If you enjoy short stories and more of a folklore / fairy tale sort of storytelling, then this might be the perfect book for you, even if it wasn't for me!
January 29, 2023
Loved every page in these four brilliant short stories.
Don't let the cover and the rather cozy beginning fool you, these get really dark ... and deep.
Excellent themes and genius twists.
Don't let the cover and the rather cozy beginning fool you, these get really dark ... and deep.
Excellent themes and genius twists.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews