| Title | : | Beyond |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 159 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2014 |
Dane Mitchell.
One of her father’s best men, Dane is as lethal is he is attractive, and Olivia is thrilled at the thought of being at his side.
Dane Mitchell doesn’t want to be forced into marriage. He is a soldier, a fighter, and has a bigger purpose in life. He doesn’t have the time to deal with a spoilt pampered princess such as Olivia, but owes his life to Evan, Olivia’s father. He accepts the marriage.
But that doesn’t mean he has to like it.
Beyond Reviews
-
4 A Warrior of Our Times Stars ⭐
Beyond was a steamy post-apocalyptic romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Loosely based around a new uncivilised world where food and woman are in high demand, not many venture beyond the wall.
In a world of chaos, death and pain, I found an epic love.
Olivia is the daughter of the present leader in their protected community. Essentially royalty she is now required to marry having turned 21. A duty expected by all single woman in a bid to repopulate their world. The only exception is that she can select her husband. In hindsight Olivia wishes she picked differently.
“See something you like?”
I sigh. “Yeah, but then you opened your mouth and ruined it.”
A warrior and the right-hand man to the leader, Dane is not husband material. He is completely unimpressed at being forced to marry, especially a spoiled princess. Except when he chooses to make a little effort, he finds that his assumptions are all wrong.
“You’re mine now. That’s all that matters. I’ll have to deal with my jealousy.”
“I get it, you know. If I had to be around any man that had touched you I don’t know how I’d handle it. Lucky for me, you saved yourself for me.”
I puff out a breath. “Lucky for me you didn’t save yourself. Someone needs to know what they’re doing between the sheets.”
As minimal plots go, this was great fun. With low drama, amusing dialogue, and an interesting new world; this story provided a light spicy read. Olivia was quite sassy, foul mouthed and more than capable of taming Dane’s alpha ego. As a couple they were a hoot. -
Well...I'm really not a big fan of dystopian romance (I've actually only read a series in this genre and that was YA...so it doesn't count) but I wanted to give this one a try because I love
Chantal Fernando and her writing style :D
So... on the night before I was supposed to leave on my holiday instead of getting a few hours of sleep (like any normal person) before catching my flight I was devouring (because what else can you call it when you finish a book in a few hours?) this novel and becoming addicted to it ;)
Probably under other circumstances this wouldn't have gotten 5 stars from me but because it was the first novel in this genre that I've read, and very surprisingly loved, this is definitely getting top stars from me :D
Now... enough rambling... let me tell you a little bit about this book :D
The author takes us to a different USA, one where zombies and other strange creatures have inhabited the land so the people are forced to fight and find a way to live with no order... only chaos...
Among this chaos one man has managed to establish a little community (inside the walls of a castle) with her own set of rules where he is the leader and the people follow him. Now the time has come for his only daughter to marry (because she's 21) and her father let's her chose her future husband from one of the men in their castle.
Everyone things Olivia is spoiled and pampered, including her future husband, but there is more then meets the surface about our little "prices" because she can fight and handle a bow just as good as she can manage the castle as the future leader.
I think you've already guessed that Olivia is my type of girl and the kind of female heroine I just love :D
Dane is the best fighter and the man that leads all the expeditions outside the walls... and he's also the man that Olivia choses as her future husband. To say he's not happy about their marriage is an understatement and the fact that Olivia finds out just how he feels about her is not making thing easier. You have to wear sunglasses to not be blinded by the fireworks this two ignite...in and out of bed :P
The story focuses primarily on the relationship between Olivia and Dane and the life they lead at the castle. If you're worried about this being a horror movie don't be because the encounters with the creatures beyond the walls are pretty minimum and the book is still romance after all :D
-
☆Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review☆
TITLE: Beyond
AUTHOR: Chantal Fernando
GENRE: Contemporary Romance, Dystopian
RELEASE DATE: December 20th 2014
MY RATING:★★★★★ (FAVOURITE SHELF)
God how to explain this book is going to be a mission within itself!! BUT here goes, this reminded me of "The Twilight Games" and the blond female off "Game of Thrones" the one with the dragons, now why do u ask?? Both of these females are kick ass tough bow and arrow welding heroines just like the female in this book, step over all whiney assed characters and make room for this new ass kicking heroine Olivia!!
I was strong, I was a fighter, A survivor ~ Olivia
There are flesh eating monsters roaming our planet, and there is nothing we can do except hide out and try to survive
Nothing could penetrate these walls
You guys are in for a f*cking treat with this book, it is soooo completely out of the norm from this author, and that's why I loved it so much!! I stalk this authors ass shamelessly and I can honestly say that this book here is one of my favourites, because it's so unique, I have never read anything like it!! It is so out of the box, I guarantee you are going to love it!!
LIFE AND DEATH ISN'T ALWAYS A CHOICE
This is one of those books that just sucks you into the story line and stays in your mind for days later, it's also going to leave you in a big book funk!!
TRUST DOESN'T COME EASY
The story starts off with Olivia turning 21, the day her father wants to marry her off, she chooses a warrior like no other, the best soldier within their safe haven, the only man who had ever caught her eye, but it also came at a high price, because he was such a strong vital hunter within their fold.
In comes unsuspecting Dane, an alpha rough talking, holds nothing back kind of guy, who does not want a bar of married life...
Without giving ANY spoilers away you are just going to have to one click this bugga when it's released, because that is ALL I am going to give you!!
FAST SPREADING VIRUS ~ IT TAKES JUST ONE WEEK FROM BEING BITTEN TO TURN
BETRAYAL
Sit back and enjoy this crazy ride!!
THE ZOMBIES ARE FADING OUT AND THE BEASTS ARE TAKING OVER
In a world of chaos, death and pain, I found an epic love ~ Olivia -
4 Beyond this World Stars!!!
Release Day -- December 20, 2014!!!
Well, damn, this book's got it all!!! It might not be what you're thinking. It's not a dark book, although, there are definitely a few elements in there that could be considered as such. It's not a heavy dystopian read, although, that is part of the story line. But don't look at the other reviews and think, hmm dystopian? Not for me. Because it's usually not for me either. I am a romance reader and I still LOVED this book. The root of this book is 100% love story. Olivia has just turned twenty-one and her father is requiring her to marry. It's a story about an arranged marriage and what becomes of it in the chaotic world around them.
And as for the husband Olivia chooses? Although Dane can be a complete ass at times, unapologetically so, he's also sexy, swoony, and 100% alpha-male!!!
In a world of chaos, death and pain, I found an epic love - Olivia -
"In a world of chaos, death and pain, I found an epic love."
Well I'll be damned! I did not expect BEYOND to be like this.
Zombies? Bear-rex?!
If you think this book is another MC story or another MAFIA shenanigans.. well.. You're in a big fuckin' surprise!
Since I have a very low imagination- paranormal/fantasy/zombies theme are my least favorite genres! So the moment Chantal handed me this book and I read flesh eating monsters, I was like..
This was totally out of my comfort zone but I wanted to give Chantal a chance as she's one of my favorite authors out there. Well I'm glad I did because the story sucked me in and I literally felt like I was in THAT kind of situation. (Am I making sense? No? Ok. -.-)
Overall this was BEYOND my expectation! It has everything I liked in this kind of genre!
Zombies lurking around, bear-rex eating zombies and humans, finding food and medicines, a marriage in convenience and add up an alpha possessive man and a feisty likeable heroine.. well sounds like a roller coaster ride yeah? Not really. The book is not dark or too dramatic that would give you a fuckin' headache! It has humorous, adventure and sexy feel in it without any long drawn out drama, issues or rescues. Its complicated but not too complicated. LOL! (Not making sense again? Ok. -.-)
Anyways, this is a 5 STARS for me! Chantal never fail to deliver! I'm so happy she is venturing a new genre! Heck maybe next time she'll write an MM story! (*coughsamlarscough!*) :P
I highly recommend this book!
-
3.5 Stars
This book is set in a world where Zombie's have taken over and life has pretty much gone to shit. A group of people live in a castle, protected by walls and have formed their own society. Olivia's dad is the leader of the people and that makes her the princess. Her father orders her to marry on her twenty first birthday, but she doesn't want to marry someone of her fathers choosing. But when her dad gives in and lets her choose her own husband, she realizes she doesn't even know the people around her. She chooses Dane, the only guy that has every caught her attention, and hopes it goes well.
Dane is the best soldier there and the one that everyone else relies one. When he hears that he has to marry the princess he isn't very happy, but will do what his leader tells him too, especially since Dane owes him a favor. Olivia isn't anything like he expected though, and soon he changes his mind on how he feels about marriage.
This was a fun, fast read that was really different than anything I have read before. I read paranormal but I stay away from Zombies and dystopia type books. I decided to give this one a shot because I'm a huge fan of the author and knew she wouldn't disappoint me.
I liked the characters, especially Olivia. She wasn't the spoiled little princess that everyone thought she was, instead she was a fighter and wanted to protect everyone in the castle. Dane was Alpha as hell and it was really sexy how he was with Olivia. As a couple they were kick ass and tough and just perfect for each other.
The end was a little rough and, for me, it ended kind of fast and so much had just happened. I felt like it was resolved too quickly just to end the story. Overall, I really liked this book and it was a great book to pick up when I needed a change. -
3.5 stars
This is a quick fun and sexy read. Is hard for me to rate because on one hand, I thought it was good for a quickie and I really enjoyed myself, but on the other hand I don't think this 150 pages is worth $3.99.
The blurb didn't give me any background on the time period. I thought it is a mafia story. With the mafia princess wanted to marry the right hand man. All of a sudden, the mentioned of them staying in a castle threw me off guard. There isn't any world building to ease you into it. After several chapters, only that did I found out this is a freaking dystopian. The earth is overrun by zombies and their population is staying behind the walls within the castle. Okay.
But non of that really matters because we don't get much explanation on it. Just don't think too much and enjoy the ride. The focus of the story is the relationship between Olivia and Dane. She handpicked him to be her husband and he was not amused. But after getting to know each other, they learn that maybe an arranged marriage is not so bad afterall.
Dane had a healthy dose of alpha goodness and sweetness in him. Not too OTT, but still manage to make you swoon when he turn into a protective brute. Olivia is one spitfire that stand toe to toe with Dane.
Considering I want this to be a quickie with a healthy dose of sex to satiate me, I was a little disappointed with the medium high steam level. I was looking for dirty filthy sex., instead I got a few sentences each time. Just when I started getting hot and bothered, they finished. Hey! That's rude, ya know.
This had a good premise for something great. There is so many things I wish Chantal will explore. A lot of things left unanswered. I tried not to think too much and enjoy it as what it is. -
"In a world of chaos, death and pain, I found an epic love."
I buy beyond because of the author,i like Chantel writting and her books so i buy with one click.But i did not see it's Science Fiction & Fantasy,and zombies,beasts and world end books are not for me.This is my first book in this genre and for sure it will be last.But i liked and enjoyed this one,the love story between Dane and Olivia is amazing,Dane is super alpha,caveman solider,he was my highlight in the book,Olivia is very strong and likable character.Second characters are great too,Gina,Sam,Lars make story interesting and fun.The writing is great,it's not dark or have very much of drama opposite is very fun and light read.
The year is 2020.The world we know does not exist anymore,after the spread of the virus, it takes one week from being bitten to turn in zombie.Olivia lives in small community where her father is the leader,she always have crush on her father best warrior Dane so when her father tell her she must marry when she turnes 21 she choose Dane.But Dane dosen't want to be forced into marriage. He thinks Olivia is some spoled uptight princess,Dane did not expect to find Olivia interesting,rebel and beautiful.Im not going into detail because you must read it for yourself,this book is short, only 129 pages
Dane Can i keep him??like i said he is highlight in the book,he is dark,caveman,alpha totally swoon-Worthy.I must admit i read this book just for him,he hook me with his first sentence.
Olivia she strong and fun heroine.She is not passive women,she know what she wants and go for it.I liked her,she is never annoying or complaining.
Overall this was fast,fun read with 100%alpha hero and fun heroine.It does not have very much character development(like i said it's only 120 pages).If you are into Science Fiction & Fantasy books i tottaly recommend this one.
-
☆ I received an ARC via FMR Book Studio in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆
Beyond was just an 'okay' read for me. Set in a post-apocalyptic/dystopian world (which I love!!) where there are zombies, mutated creatures, and unsavory people who run amuck and threaten the safe haven that Olivia Reynolds’ father had created... Olivia is the stereo-typical “princess” of that small community but with a hidden passion to explore and protect her humble abode. Suppressed by what is expected of her and what she truly wants, Olivia must come to terms of her position as the next leader of her people, the laws that she has to abide by, repopulating the human race and keeping what’s left alive, AND!! Marry to a man of convenience, who by the way, doesn’t want anything to do with her…at first.
So, my thoughts?:
Over all, a good story line, to which I think has a lot of potential to create to perhaps a series (perhaps a SerenityXRegan with an update on DaneXOlivia, SamXLars, Gina, Wyatt, and the annoying Jordan??), but there was something missing in this. I think it was the lack of character development and how Dane and Olivia’s relationship substantially moved way too fast from nothing to something. It kind of puzzled me a bit.
Not to mention, the plot had a few loopholes. I mean, how did the zombies come to be? What’s the deal with the bear-rex’s?...and etc.
I don’t know. I love Chantal Fernando’s books and her writing, but this one didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Hmmm..
-
Took everything the book supposed to have to be successful, and maybe even some extra:
One virgin heroine (who is more than everybody think she is)
Her father (leader and very protective of his „princes“)
One brooding, dark, dangerous hero
One arranged marriage
Sexual tension
Jealousy
Ex- girlfriends (yes, more than one)
Gay best friend, Bisexual friend, and prostitute friend, in love triangle
Zombies
Post-apocalyptic (dystopian) word
Beasts (who eat zombies)
One prophecy
Betrayal
Pregnancy
Some fight
Some travel
Little humor
A few misunderstanding
And some hot sex
Put all that in blender (or in book with less than 200 pages) and
Now try it!
You're definitely not be disappointed but, it maybe has a too strong flavor...
Short, quick read! -
**2.5** I don’t even know what to say about this story. Post-apocalypse with very few zombies, lots of drama lama with ex-lovers, and a murder mystery tossed in because, why not?! I enjoy unusual stories, but this wins an award for being really silly.
-So they live in a castle? The walls keep the undesirables out, including the undead.
-Forced marriage. She’s a V, he’s been around the block a few times.
-What’s with the fade-to-black scene on their wedding night?
-Yes, we all know you’ve got fab biceps, stop rubbing the back of your neck to show them off.
-Strange bear/T-Rex hybrids...that are eating the zombies. Yay?
-Wait, now there is a murder mystery we need to solve, and it was because of WHAT?!
-How is it possible during an apocalypse that ALL your ex girlfriends keep popping?“If you need anything let me know and I’ll venture out to get it.”
Hah, even the fmc was sick of it!
I raise an eyebrow. “You’ll probably come back with another ex of yours.” -
Me and this little guy - only 159 pages had a great time Friday night. Even though the book is short it had it all and was a great read. By the time I finished it I had the warm fuzzy feeling and a smile on my face.
The story is about a community trying to survive a zombie apocalypses. I especially liked that the story was taking place in an old castle which was giving the feeling that you are send back in time where princesses and heroes were something normal. But then again we are reminded what awaits beyond the castle walls.
Like every castle this one also has a princess - Olivia. I absolutely loved Olivia. She is strong, stubborn funny and you can`t not like her. She is raised by her father one day to take over her people and rule them. While her father had same archaic believes and under his rule of the castle I could forget that the book is set in the future with Olivia I got the leader of the future.
Olivia was sheltered and she never left the walls of the castle but she was fair and took very seriously her role as a leader and here comes Dane. A queen needs her king right!
On her 21 birthday Olivia has to choose her future husband and she chose Dane. Dane leads the soldiers when they go beyond the walls to search food and supplies. Yup we have a favorite of mine an arranged marriage! So as you can imagine Dane is survived zombie apocalyptic badass with a wife he never wanted. There are some friction between the new family but Dane gets in full Neanderthal mode pretty quickly."Mine", "Nobody touches you" and the incredibly hot possessive rage here and there... ooh and he growls!
Beyond is well written sweet love story of two people who are trying to make the best of what they have in one broken world. It`s not so far from our own. They are doing everything in their power to survive and their little kingdom was full of hope for a better times. Loved it!!!
Favorite quote:
"I can be your best friend," he says, ducking his head."I want to be everything to you. Your husband, your lover, your protector, and your best friend." I put my hand on top of his."You already are." -
2.5 Stars
-
4 stars!
Ohh I loved the blurb when I read it and I loved the book just as much! My only "complain" was the length, why did it have to be so freaking short? It's like half a book, I devoured it within an hour at best.
Zombies, dystopian setting with a royal touch to it and the whole arranged marriage theme was just amazing and mind-blowing combination. I.WANT.MORE.OF.THIS. Is there going to be another? Lots of characters that could get their own book or maybe a sequel for this one? I.NEED.MORE. -
ANOTHER SMOKIN' COVER.
I THINK I'M GONNA BE BUSY WITH ALL THESE AMAZING BOOKS COMING OUT FROM ALL THESE GREAT AUTHORS!
<3 Chantal Fernando so I'm guessing this is gonna be a good one ;) -
Well that was nothing like I normally read BUT I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!! Would DEF love to read more about this world,
Chantal Fernando!!!! -
I was forcing myself to read that book.
The characters are plain, no depth.
Seemed like the author hurried to write a short story..
I mean the story had potential but was destroyed with bad implementation. -
It was a short read. Everything happened and ended so fast, for my taste. Can't say it was awesome but I enjoyed it. Because what can I say, I love reading!! LOL. I think the best thing about this book was the heroine She was tough, caring and mature. Like a fresh breath of air(kinda hard to find when she is 21yo) and another thing; it was well written. I really wished there had been more! :( soo, back to the story...
Its 2020. And 5 years ago,a virus spread all around the world. And now most of the people are Zombies!(yeah! I didn't see that coming...) So, the few who hasn't been bitten and turned into one, are living in a castle that surrounded by high walls. they are safe there. And except some of the strong men( and that for looking for supplies/food), people are not allowed to leave the castle and go Beyond the walls. So these people have a leader, and our heroine is his daughter. Everyone thinks she is an uptight princess. She is anything but! Anyway, so she turns 21 and needs to get married. She needs to pick a man. since they are so few, she decides to pick the guy who is her father's right hand,a strong man/soldier.Because the man she picks will be their future leader, in the end.
The hero was a cocky b**tard, at first! but then he changed and I,somehow liked him a little. He constantly reminds her that he didn't want to get married and she picked him. (Tsk tsk tsk!) But then he turns into a possesive alpha male. and there are things happening, but no drama cause like I said, things happen and end so fast!
It was a good read, there is HEA in the end. and its heroine's POV. -
I was Extremely fortunate to recieve a copy of this book from the author before its publication.
This story centers around Olivia ( daughter of the "Leader") and Dane (no1 soldier/ warrior). It all takes place in the future where the world has changed and survival is far from easy, with zombie types and others lurking around. But DO NOT let this deter you. Olivia is coming up to her 23rd birthday and she must choose a husband. Unbeknown to her father there is someone she has secretly admired and loved for years. Dane. Dane is not in the least bit interested in being married to Olivia nor anyone else !!
The characters in this book are amazing and i couldn't help but connect to them. Olivia is one badass girl and i totally loved her mouth, humour and the person she was. Dane is hot, protective, heroic, oh and did i say hot????
There is a lot happening in this book, twists and turns that you just can't see coming. I had a few OMG moments, laughter moments and tear moments. The camadarie and relationships in this book between our Hero & Heroine and other characters were more than heartwarming and also at time heartbreaking, especially Sam ! Olivia struggled her way through unchartered territory and she most definitely was not only an amazing woman she was a real Heroine! Her relationship with Dane was just hot off the charts and i just didn't want this story or characters to end!!
But the answer to the main question? will Olivia be loved by the Reluctant Dane? OMG ya will just have to read it !! It's a must read !! -
**arc recieved for an honest review from author by us hoochies at
http://www.twounrulygirls.com **
Ok...I knew nothing about this book except it was written by Ms. Fernando and to be honest that is all I needed to be privy to. Being one of my go to authors I know I won't be disappointed and I wasn't. Yes this book may seem different from books in her past but it really isn't, the setting YES different but the two leads...all Chantal! Which is why I read her in the first place, a feisty, strong willed female paired with a dominant, teeters on the verge of assholery man...that loves with all his heart! Yep that is main reason one she is an auto read author for me.
While the surrounding life that lead was noticed, it wasn't the crux of the story, for me. The connection between Olivia and Dane was what held my interest, the zombies and in-bred creatures were just bonus characters adding a little spice to a romance that already had me hook, line and sinker! SO a fixed marriage, a hot ass alpha, a quick tempered self sufficient princess and zombies…oh yeah!
http://www.facebook.com/twounrulygirls
http://www.twounrulygirls.com
http://www.tsu.co/twounrulygirls -
I loved the author's
Chase but hated her Toxic Girl, so I've stayed away from her books from then on, glad to try this one due to friend's review, great short story: h was the leader's daughter, she had to choose a husband from her father's soldiers. H and h entered their marriage due to fulfill their obligation producing offspring for more human beings to survive in zombie world. -
I was excited when I read the blurb
The beginning showed promise. But the more I read, the more I realized how infantile the whole concept was. Dialogues Between hero and heroine were ok. All other dialogues were pointless and mundane. Moreover, there were so so many spelling mistakes. I have rarely read a book with so many.
It just didn't get deep enough. -
GRRR...this sucked.
It read like a plot outline.
It could have been so much better.
Instead it read like a PNR Historical of epically bad proportions. I am so sad :(
Don’t read this, strike it from your TBR list...
You’ll thank me. -
I thought the storyline was interesting, but it felt too sparse and rushed, and unfortunately, it had more than a few typos.
-
ok.. i love chantal's style of writing BUT.. something was missing not sure what it was but i just liked it.. not OMG amazing!
-
3.5 ish
Well I liked the ending very much. It was very cute! Other then that, this book dissapointed me quite a lot. I wanted more and a bit of drama would've been good. I mean who doesn't love a nice read through a emotional heartbreak and patch up? I think the blurb was so much better then the actually story. I've been waiting for this book for a while now because the blurb was very good but dammit!!!!! -
This is like nothing you've read before...
Chantal can write in any genre, so this paranormal, fantasy, living in a different world, LOVE story - is fantastic!!!
Who would want to be in an arranged marriage right? But somehow, Olivia and Dane make it work. Whilst they are falling in love with eachother, we area falling love with them!!!
Amazing story, couldn't put it down, LOVED reading something different from as awesome Author!!! -
This was so much fun!
I loved it!
It doesn't matter if the story is set in the present day or the near future dystopian one, it works the same way - there's an alpha male, a stubborn, sassy heroine and a whole lot of sex.
and that's fine by me. LOL
