I loved this, in a certain way. I think that the ending won me over. I will admit that this was a bit of a chore to get through as it is quite wordy. There are a lot of descriptions and long paragraphs which sometimes work, and sometimes didn't for me. Although I struggled a bit with reading, I think the author has a nice style. Audra was a good character and the tame romance we got was actually just perfect for me in this.

The uniqueness of the story with the magic system and the storytellers is why I would recommend it for reading and there are some truly heartbreaking moments in it.

🕮 ARC review 🕮

✰⋆☾ ⋆ A Story spun in Scarlet⭑☽ ✧˖°. Renee Dugan ✰

🕮 Romantasy
🕮 Slow burn
🕮 LOVE the cover
🕮 Only one bed trope
🕮 strangers to lovers
🕮 He does her hair
🕮 Unique magic system
🕮 -/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

"Let me tell you a story." ❤

“What a terribly beautiful thing it was, to be cared for… knowing so many things could change that forever.”


Such an unique Fantasy book and magic system. This is the first book I've read by Renee Dugan and it won't be the last one. Love the writing style and I couldn't put the book down. 😍

This concise text tells the captivating story of Audra Jashowin, a Storycrafter from the capital city of Mithra-Sha. In her world, Storycrafters have lost the ability to find endings for their magical stories, causing chaos and suffering. Audra, ostracized and forgotten, searches for a new life and finds work at a tavern in Krylan. Despite her inability to finish a story, she agrees to entertain patrons and locks eyes with a farmhand named Jaik Grissom. Their connection allows Audra to complete a story, setting off a whirlwind of magic and mayhem. The novel explores complex characters, a detailed world, and magnificent magic. Though the length may seem daunting, once the story captures your attention, it becomes impossible to put down. The emotional epilogue leaves questions and anticipation for a sequel.

Thank you R. Dugan and NetGalley for giving me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I found that the writing style wasn't suited for me, I did enjoy the book. I wasn't a fan of the stories that Audra told and I found myself skimming them and not taking anything in, by the end I stopped reading them entirely because everything important mentioned in the story was mentioned again so I felt it unnecessary. I also found that the book dragged quite a lot and I feel that it could have been a lot shorter without losing any substance.

I loved the relationship between Audra and Jaik, I was rooting for them through the whole book. It was their relationship and the twist near the end that saved this book for me.

Unfortunately, I don't plan on continuing this series but I know that there are people who would love this book.

This was a long one for me but I'm so glad I finished it. I'm not one for a lot of world building usually but I'm glad I took my time on this hook because the author did a wonderful job with the writing.
This story intrigued me with the character being a storyteller while in real like I am also struggling to finish a story that I'm writing.
I was able to fully love all the characters and I really hope to see more from this author soon. The fantasy in this book really came to life for me and it felt so immersive.

A huge thanks to Netgally and Renee Dugan for letting me read this book before it was published in return of an honest opinion.

A Story Spun in Scarlet follows Audra Jashowin, a storyteller who cannot finish her stories. We start by meeting Audra when she is on her journey to Krylan. When she arrives at Krylan she starts working at a Tavern where she meets Jaik Grissom, a supposedly farmer. But what they were not expecting is that Jaik, in a strange way, allows Audra and other storytellers to finish their stories. After they start their journey to discover the reason why stories have no endings.

This is a very light of the beggining of the book and now I will go into my review.

A Story Spun in Scarlet was actually an okay book. I thought that i would be DNFing it in the beggining but I did end up going with it and actually finishing it. I wanna start by talking about the writting style if the author. It was not for me, too many descriptions, that could get a bit too much, and not many dialogues. Actually it was the writting style that made me give this rating to the book and not a higher one.

But besides the writting style. I did enjoy the story it was quite nice and I liked the premisse of it. I just feel like it did not come to the point where I would like it to go. The characters were nice, I felt like they had nice chemistry but other than that I felt like they did not have much depht or a lot to them.

I really liked the magic system envolving storytelling, I felt it was almost a breath of fresh air and somewhat different from the books I normally go for.

What I did not like, besides the writting, was the end we basically ended up in the same way that the book started, with the characters not knowing each other, or at least Audra not knowing Jaik and their friends. I don't like when book are a full circle, I prefer when books leave something open, specially when they are going to keep going (don't know if it is a stylistic choice from the author though).

The second thing I did not like was the many tropes I found in it, meaning forced proximity, single bed (this one happens a lot actually) and chosen one. I felt like they were a bit too many to be in one single book!

The third thing that I noticed was the fact that the book was kinda devided. What I mean with this is that in the first like 60% of the book we mainly follow the characters trying to understand why the stories have no endings, but from there I fell like it almost focuses on the relationship of Audra and Jaik and, to me, it was not very appealing.

The fourth and last thing that I wanna say is that in one chapter where Audra was unconcious she still was able to tell everything that was happening and this was one things that I really did not like in the book. Because if she was unconscious how was she able to tell us what was happening?

But besides all this I think that the book and the idea are really promising.

I am not sure yet if I would want to keep going with the series! It depends on the path that the book takes! And although this book was not for me in a certain way it might be for you!

I really enjoyed the world but found it was almost too descriptive and dragged out a bit. Still a good read!

A story about the magic of storytelling. Audra is a storycrafter who is on the move. For a reason no one knows, storycrafters have lost the ability to finish a story. Until one night meets Jaik and finishes her first story. The story follows them along their way to finding answers to questions they each have.

This is a high fantasy book so be warned. I feel like it won’t be for everyone. This is for people who love world building and lyrical writing. It is a longer book and for people who don’t like those things it will drag.

It’s a beautiful story though. I loved the uniqueness. The magic system revolving around storytelling is so poetic and I really love it. I also loved ‘Luck’ being a whole thing in this book. The writing was good. Long winded but good. You feel everything. You feel like you’re there in the world and you feel all the emotions.
There’s lots of twists and turns that take the book in a different direction. There’s no spice but the love story is still amazing. I loved Audra and Jaik. They make you want to root for them despite their flaws. As the story goes, you learn they have lost memories and how intertwined everything is.
(Also for just a little side note, I really loved the way Jaik helped Audra ground herself. Asking her to list 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, 1 things you taste. So good!)
And the ending was beautiful. I thought it was perfect.
Overall this is good fit for high fantasy fans who are looking for a unique story.

🖤
Close your eyes. Let me tell you a story.
🖤
Thank you NetGalley and Renee Dugan for the ARC. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

I really wanted to enjoy and like this book but I simply didnt find myself invested in the characters or the world so I DNF’d around 20%. I am giving this book 3 stars because the author is an excellent writer this book just simply wasnt for me.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
✧｡ 4 enchanting stars
╰─▸ ❝ Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review ❝

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
➶ I've honestly never read a book written by Renee Dugan but I'm glad that I finally have.
➶ Her writing style is amazing, its enchanting, lyrical, poetic and full of emotion
➶ The plot was plotting
➶ The length of the book seems intimidating but time flies when I read this
➶ The epilogue left me stunned, can't wait for the sequel
➶ I found the characters really enjoyable and interesting
➶ No spice, just kissing moments
➶ The atmospheric world building >

- I genuinely recommend this book

(Posted on Goodreads), once again, thank you for the opportunity

Audra Jashowan is what this novel calls a storycrafter. However, like many other storycrafters, she’s unable to finish her tales.

This story had an incredible hook, I was sold in the first chapter, captivated by the story. I thought it was incredibly interesting, something I hadn’t really heard of before.
Then it became a lot of that.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Jaik and Audra. Also Lio was amazing (my favourite for sure, she breathed a lot of life when included.) however, the prose was incredibly heavy. After the shock of the intriguing first chapter, I found that I was kind of suffocated with the descriptions. I would like to add im a much more dialogue heavy reader, and then there was way less of it than I normally see in books here.

Renee Dugan can really paint a beautiful picture, so I’m not trying to poke the witting style. I’m just not sure it was my thing, as sad as I am to say that. For people who are very interested in the settings of their novels, of feeling like you can literally breath in their air and see the magic, this is a great book for you. Even I can see that. This book had a fantastic premise (the story-crafters were so cool. Unlike much I’ve seen in fantasy.)
Unfortunately the writing style is not to my preference, but I hope this book is able to find its audience!

Thank you to NetGalley, author R. Dugan and Wave Walker Press for this eARC.

I love this book so much!
The writing is beautiful, the characterization is great, the story develops beautifully, the magic system is so cool & interesting and the slow burn romance is everything I want it to me!
The only reason it's not a 5 star read is because it takes the book ~20% to actually get started. Before that it's just a lot of descriptions and info dump.
4.75 stars

Let me tell you a story about a fantastic book with stories within the story. Stories that on their own are highly enjoyable, and creative. Stories that add to the story that is already wonderfully written and so fun to read.

I seriously loved this beautifully written book. This book about a storyteller who has lost their ability to finish their stories, along with all other storytellers is a big book. It took a while to read, and maybe was a little too wordy at times, but what follows is the main characters’ quest to find out why everyone lost that ability. Full of adventure, a slow burn romance, action, magic, thrills and the best stories within the story, this book delivers for an amazing fantasy book. Great plot, well developed characters and just so enjoyable, I highly recommend this book for any fantasy lovers out there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars.
I received an early e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun book! I really enjoyed the world-building and the concept of Storycraft. It's a very unique magic system. The characters are great. Audra and Jaik are fab, and I loved the whole idea of them forgetting but still finding their way back to each other. Galan is a piece of work though!
I felt like the story dragged a bit in places, and some chapters could have been edited down a bit. The flow seemed a bit interrupted sometimes.
Overall though, this was a really fun book and I enjoyed it :)

In Mithra-Sha stories can create magic. They can grow crops, change weather, and even build homes and roads. Well they used to be able to. A few years ago all stories lost their endings and Mithra-Sha has been suffering since. Audra Jashowin is a storyteller trying to find a place to belong after her family rejected her. She is trying to find a purpose when she ends up in a new city and meets Jaik Grissom. Suddenly her stories have endings. And soon they are on the run. They set out looking for answers and hiding from a bounty on their heads. Their journey will send them all over Mithra-Sha and will uncover secrets that will change the world.

Well this was a hefty book. I didn’t realize how big before I started lol. My biggest criticism of the book was that it was overly descriptive. I found myself skimming through some of the paragraphs. The story hummed along at a slow pace. The magic system through the storytelling was unique and I thought it was funny when Jaik asked why not just say we leave the city. I liked the chemistry between Audra and Jaik. He is very supportive and definitely did his best to hold her accountable. I figured out Audra’s secret pretty early, although not Jaik’s. Overall I struggled keeping focus with the book and thought it would have been better if some of the extra description was cut out, but I did like the book. The last few chapters and the epilogue had my emotions in a chokehold. If there are more in the series I will be getting them.

Rating 4 stars
*I received a review copy from NetGalley for my voluntary and honest review

This just didn't pull me in the way I hoped. I liked the stories Audra tried to tell better than her own journey. It unfortunately wasn't a win for me.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and Wave Walker Press. . I will leave an honest review for this book as there are elements I like and elements I did not like.

I must say the idea of a story teller not being able to finish a story in the first few chapters broke my heart. But as the story progressed I found myself struggling to relate to the characters and care for them.

Then the pacing of the book is extremely slow. It takes a long time for anything to happen and for anything substantive to occur you need to make it to chapter 10 at least and that is a long time to read for any plot line to develop.

However, the world building and descriptive nature of Dugan’s writing kept luring me in and I did eventually finish this book. It was a chore but I did it. Am I glad I finished it? Yes. Will I recommend it? That depends on the person. I wouldn’t rule out Dugan’s work and I am intrigued to see how their writing develops in the future.

R. Dugan's "A Story Spun in Scarlet" is an engrossing narrative that skillfully blends themes of suspense, romance, and mystery. The narrative tracks the mysterious Audra. R. Dugan's lyrical and captivating writing style from the first page drew me in. The characters give the story depth since they are likable and well-developed. All things considered, "A Story Spun in Scarlet" is an engrossing book that will have you gripped until the very end.

In this world, Storycrafters are a gifted people with the ability to bring the their stories to life. They play a crucial role in their world, making sure that no one in is left in poverty, harvests are always plentiful, and all people are safe and happy. That is, until all stories are left without endings and storycrafting ceases to exist at all. Audra is a Storycrafter. While eager to keep in touch with her craft, she has all but accepted the new reality and is happy to live a quiet life serving food and drinks at a tavern. One day, a humble farmer walks into Audra's tavern and somehow, some way, with his presence she is finally able to finish a story. It is there that Audra's life unravels and she becomes desperate to understand where did all the endings go and is this stranger to key to bringing them back.

This book includes:
- unique FMC who goes on a journey of discovering her role in the world
- supernatural storytelling
- unnatural monsters
- beauty in quiet moments
- high stakes fight scenes
- slow slow burn (romance is s subplot, this is not a romantasy)
- heart shattering memory loss

"A Story Spun in Scarlet" is a gorgeous story. I have never read anything like this before and I read at least 300 pages every day. Audra and Jaik are written in a way that is so honest and lovely and flawed that it almost feels like I know them personally. After reading their story and crying along with them, maybe I do. It took me a second to get into this story because it does begin with Audra living her quiet life, but in the end, I feel like the juxtaposition from her quiet life vs her quest to saving Storycrafting is so important and so crucial to her growth. Also, I cant say much on the topic without spoilers, but the big reveal! OMG! I had an inkling of some of the pieces of the twist, but when it all clicked into place my mind was blown.

I seriously cannot recommend this book enough. I'm gonna have to post a whole TikTok on the journey these characters go on and I HOPE everyone takes a chance on "A Story Spun in Scarlet." If you love complex characters, races against time, and unlikely heroes you will love this book.

I received this ebook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Wave Walker Press, and R. Dugan for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and a review will be going up on my tiktok @WelcometotheAtlas by the end of next week.

Received as a free arc copy via netgalley.

Unfortunately would have been a DNF if not for the fact I felt obliged to finish it so I could give an accurate rating

Incredibly slow starting, not much develops in the story in the first 50 or so pages.

The stories pace does develop in the second half but it's not worth it overall in my opinion.

I was really exited for this one, I loved the description but it didn't live up to expectations