Cover Image: Cruel Fate

Cruel Fate

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Member Reviews

'Cruel Fate´ is the latest installation of Armstrong's Cainsville series and it fits in just fine. It's short; a novella instead of a novel which works in its favor with less unnecessary drama then some of the other stories in the series. If you were a fan of the other Cainsville books, you will enjoy this one too, but I personally would not recommend it as a standalone.

I was given a free copy of this e-book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I've loved loved(!) the Cainsville series by Kelley Armstrong. Cruel Fate is another excellent entry. We learn the fate of Olivia's parents and she takes on the role she was fated to. There's fun, revenge, romance...Everything I love about Armstrong's books.

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I reveived an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I picked this one up, I didn't realize it was the latest installment in a pretty extensive series. It was well written, but I became lost at times because of my unfamiliarity with characters and situations from previous books. I had trouble connecting with the main characters, which I also attribute to my unfamiliarity. I would not recommend reading this as a stand-alone. Three and a half stars.

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My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

This is a novella in the series. It takes place after book 5, and another novella. This one sees Olivia settling into her life with Gabriel and into her place as Mallt-y-Nos. It also sees the culmination of Olivia's dream of seeing her father freed from jail.

I liked this visit back to Cainsville. Like previous novellas, this one is a fast read, short and sweet. I really hope Ms. Armstrong continues to revisit this series, even if it is only with this short glimpses.

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My thank you to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for allowing me access to the ARC***

All in all, this was a pretty solid read considering I have never read any books from the Cainesville series. The story held its own even with no knowledge of previous books, so you don’t have to read the other books to understand what’s happening. It was like a paranormal mystery. I enjoyed the interaction between characters. I’ll probably check out the other books in the series.

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Cruel Fate is a novella that fits within the Cainsville series by Kelly Armstrong. But it’s unique in that it was illustrated by Xaviere Daumarie. The novella falls into place after the fifth book in the series, just for reference.
I know that there is some concern about the fate of the Cainsville series – everybody is hoping that Kelly Armstrong will revisit the series (and who can blame us for that?). She finally did here, but I can’t be the only one hoping for more. The novella was appreciated, of course. But I think many fans would happily take another novel or two. Especially since it feels like there’s still so much more to explore in the world that she has built.
The novella follows Olivia (who’s finally getting her life on track), Gabriel (her boyfriend), and Todd (her father). She’s doing much better than she had, and is even getting control of her life. That is, until her father is released from prison. That in itself is a good thing. The problem is that somebody out there isn’t happy about this, and is doing everything in their power to change that.
To make matters worse, Olivia doesn’t know if it’s a human or a fae that is messing with her. Or rather, messing with her father. So that’s just going to make finding the solution that much harder.
This was a fun and fast-paced read. I really enjoyed reading about Olivia and her thought process for helping her father. And of course the rest of it was great as well. Cainsville fans will really enjoy this one, I think!
I do hope that this isn’t the end of the Cainsville series. Though I suppose if it is I can accept that. The series has had a good (great) run, so I really can’t complain.

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This urban fantasy novella, not really a standalone book, continues the story of Olivia (“Liv”) Taylor-Jones, a descendant of Matilda, a Welsh mythological figure. She now shares a house with Gabriel Walsh, who is the current reincarnation of Gwynn ap Nudd, leader of the Tylwyth Teg, Welsh mythological fairy folk. She no longer is romantically involved with Ricky Gallagher, who represents the latest version of Arawn, leader of the Cŵn Annwn, but she, Ricky, and Gabriel all remain good friends.

Gabriel is working on lowering his barriers against being hurt, and Ricky is trying to carve out his own identity. Liv is adjusting to the fact that her father Todd has finally been released from prison after twenty-three years for crimes he did not commit. But someone unknown is unhappy that Todd has been released, and wants him sent back, or better yet, dead.

Liv, Gabriel and Ricky struggle to protect Todd while simultaneously trying to find out who (or what) wants to get rid of Todd.

Evaluation: This novella will mainly be of interest to those already following the story of Cainsville. It isn’t my favorite in the series, but does tie up many loose ends so is definitely worth reading.

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4☆
ARC received from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All of my opinions are my own, and are in no way affected by the exchange.

This follows the release of Olivia's father, Todd, from prison. I cant really explain the plot of this book without spoiling the entire series.

I read the series on audio last year and really really enjoyed it. I liked the setting and the narrator. I thought the characters were well developed and the plot was engaging and approachable.

All of that was present in this story. It took me a while to get back into this world since it has been quite some time since I read the last story in this series. I liked seeing some of my favorite characters again. I thought the mystery was well written. I do wish it was a bit longer though. I thought this could definitely have been a full length novel.

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I loved Kelley Armstrong’s previous “Cainsville” novella, Rough Justice, which was my introduction to her work. In the small town of Cainsville, outside Chicago, fae have made a home, as secure as any in the modern world. The central characters, Olivia, her boyfriend, attorney Gabriel, and her former boyfriend and biker, Ricky, are incarnations of characters from Welsh legend, most notably in their participation in the Wild Hunt, that infallible instrument of fatal justice against the guilty. Both novellas combine mystery, drama, and evolving relationships in a highly satisfying way.

In Cruel Fate, Olivia’s father has just been released from prison, exonerated as a serial killer. He’s not entirely innocent, however, having murdered the real serial killer. Now someone’s after him, and it’s up to Olivia and Gabriel to find out who and why before her father becomes a victim, himself.

One problem I had with the previous book was the slowly evolution of the relationships, but reading a second novella gave me perspective and pacing. While both can be read as stand-alones, I found a deeper enjoyment in seeing self-discovery and progressive mutual understanding while a dramatic mystery unfolds. The good news is that there are a whole bunch of these stories. Now I want to go back to the beginning and read them all.

The usual disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book, but no one bribed me to say anything in particular about it. Although chocolates and fine imported tea are always welcome.
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Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Liv and Gabriel have settled into life together. They may not always do what everybody else wants them to, but they definitely do what they feel is best for each other. And, for Gabriel, one of those things he does for Liv is he finally gets her father out of jail! He was exonerated from the murders that Pam committed. However, someone is setting him up for the one murder he did commit that he was never charged with. Todd going back to jail right after finally being reunited with his daughter, would kill Liv (and Todd too). So now Liv and Gabriel must determine who tipped off the police and planted evidence. And, more importantly, what they want.

I didn’t realize Armstrong was still writing stories for the Cainsville series so I was pretty excited to see this (even if it’s not a full-length novel). It was nice to see how Liv and Gabriel have settled in together, even though I was always team Ricky!

I actually really enjoyed Todd. I can see how Liv always breathing down his neck or leaving him with a babysitter would be pretty frustrating for him. I think he and Ricky have a good plan to fix that though 🙂

And, of course I loved “seeing” Ricky again. I felt like this book just touched the tip of the iceberg on what Ricky is going through so I’m hoping we’ll get another story from him! *Fingers crossed*

I felt this book was okay, but the ending kind of killed it for me. It seemed rushed and sudden like the author hit her max page count and had to stop. It really didn’t feel like an ending at all. Regardless, it was nice to check in on our Cainsville residents again and I hope to see them again in the future.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

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*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
4.5 stars

First thing, this one cannot be read as a standalone, you really need to read the entire series to understand this one, since it does take place after the series is over.

That being said, I'll still try to make this review as spoiler free as possible.

Okay, Kelley Armstrong has an amazing gift with writing. The way she creates characters and how they fit together is amazing. Coming into this book, with months between reading the last book I was still able to get into the groove and felt right at home. The relationships between everyone are complex and so amazing to read about.
I still wish there was more to the fae -- I feel like Olivia's main power with omens isn't used often, nor do I always understand the guys' gifts.

I really liked this look into their life after the main issue has been resolved. It shows that things are still having to adjust because of the conclusion, but makes the story feel even more real. With her father out of prison, I wonder if there will be a book featuring her mother coming up for appeal or anything.

I'm a huge fan of this series and I'm not ready to give it up. I highly recommend this series to people who like thrillers with touches of magic and if you have read the series, I do think this novella is worth the read. I liked Gabriel and Ricky's POVs here.

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After I began reading I realized there was some familiarity here. Checking my own reviews, I realized that I had read the first book in the series, but I had not read any more. The premise sounded intriguing, so I read this one. I feel I missed a little bit and I may have enjoyed it more had I read the books between. Instead, I was viewing people that had history I was not aware of and relationships I could not feel. Perhaps for those who are invested in the characters, this is a fine addition to the series. For anyone who isn't invested in the series, it may be a bit confusing and fall a little flat.

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I loved this but I’ll preface that with the fact that I love all of the Kelley Armstrong books I have read and I’ve read most of them. I have really enjoyed the Cainsville series. This story begins with Olivia’s father, Todd, getting out of prison, acquitted and completely exonerated of his crimes. Liv is happy to have him back and must try to let him breathe a little without hovering too much. Unexpectedly, a body that’s been dormant for 20 years turns up and someone is trying to frame Todd. Lib and Gabriel must investigate to discover who is trying to destroy Todd’s newly found freedom. Meanwhile, strange things are happening in a heavily warded Cainsville. This story is mainly about Olivia’s new and changing relationships with Gabriel, Ricky and her parents. I really enjoyed it but I thought it ended rather abruptly, with a few loose ends that needed closure. Still, I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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You can never go wrong when choosing a Kelley Armstrong book. From Otherworld to Nadia Stafford to Cainsville, Kelley has built the world and the characters living in it so you can picture them in your mind as you read. You have favorites and some not so favorite but in the end, you're always glad you chose her book.
A battle for the control of the Fae brings many events to pass that will require our heroine and her cohorts to put aside past history and work together to save their families and friends. It's a race you will not forget.

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Cruel Fate is another well written and developed novella in Armstrong's Cainsville series. Olivia sees the fruits of her hard fought labors come to fruition as her father is finally released from jail. However, calm seas are not on the horizon when two bodies are coincidentally discovered at the same time as his release. Does someone have it in for Todd or are there more supernatural events at work?

I am a huge fan of this series for the depth of characterization and mystery/thriller pacing. This was a fast paced, enjoyable read.

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This book takes place even longer after the main series than the last novella. It was a nice addition to the Cainsville series. It's a pretty quick read but you learn more about Olivia's parents and there is a good mystery here. This novella doesn’t stand alone very well, so I would recommend reading the Cainsville series before reading this.

Olivia and Gabriel have finally managed to get Olivia’s dad, Todd, out of prison. However, someone does not want Todd to stay out of prison. Todd was put into prison for crimes he didn’t commit, but there is one crime he did commit and it’s about to be revealed. What first appears to be a straightforward case of revenge suddenly starts to take some interesting turns that make Olivia think the fae are involved.

I continue to really enjoy this world and these characters. The story is well written and presents a well done mystery full of twists and turns. I loved seeing how mature Olivia and Gabriel’s relationship has become and seeing how they balance everything with their fae responsibilities.

Overall this was a very well written novella. I would recommend if you have read the previous books in this series and enjoyed them. This is a very well done urban fantasy series with some great mystery and fae elements. This is a very quick read though, so be prepared for that.

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A good bonus story to one of my favorite series. It’s good to see how the lives of the characters go on after a series is officially over. Plus a mystery to be solved. Todd getting out of prison was one of the things Olivia wanted most and it’s nice to see that happen and then explore how their relationship works now after not having him in her life for 20 years. I also really enjoy seeing Olivia and Gabriel still together and working on building the life they want. I hope one day we get to see if Pamela ever gets out of prison, or if she servers the rest of her life sentence

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Cruel Fate, by Kelley Armstrong, is the latest story in the Cainsville saga. Even though as I began reading I realized I had missed a book or two, I had no problem following along with the story. I suggest if you haven't read any of the Gainsville stories to start with Omens, which is the first book. I was given an early copy to review.

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I was very sad when i realized Kelley Armstrong’s Cainseville series was ending with book 5. Then i was pleasantly surprised by the subsequent release of several shorter novellas. Olivia, Gabriel, and Ricky are such fun characters, and their genuine friendship and trust in each other make these stories fun to read.

In this novella, Olivia’s father Todd has just been released from prison, after being exonerated of crimes he did not commit. Not even a day passes before someone anonymous calls the police, attempting to pin a murder on him. Who is it, and why? This was a fun, short mystery to read

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for review.

Will post on April on my Library’s book review blog.

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As always, something wonderfully fantastic from Ms. Armstrong. Every time I read one of her Cainesville novels/novellas, I'm just excited and sad at the same time.

Excited because I get to revisit the characters she writes so beautifully, but sad because I know the time for their stories is coming to an end.

Liv, Ricky, Gabriel, Patrick, and the rest of the Cainesville bunch sucked me in from the first page. I will always recommend this series, and each of these novellas is just another treat to get us further into their relationships and the lore that Armstrong has spun so well.

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