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alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780994092403
What happens when Jack meets a sexy man atop that beanstalk?
Rumors of treasure have long sent fortune hunters clambering up a magic beanstalk to a mysterious castle in the clouds. Survivors told of an evil giant who guards the gold and glittering jewels with savage strength. No sane man would dare risk the climb—but Jack has nothing left to lose. Shunned for his evil red hair and abandoned by his cruel lover, he’s desperate to escape his life.
Rion isn’t a giant, only a man bearing the burden of protecting his family’s legacy. It’s a lonely existence, but he’s duty bound. Then Jack appears, and Rion’s world is turned upside down. After a blazing confrontation, undeniable lust sparks. Isolated in the clouds, Jack and Rion give in to their desire and growing connection. But do they have the courage to let go of the past and follow their dreams?
Soon they must protect the treasure—and each other—from a new threat. And they have everything to lose.
This is a retold fairy tale with a twist. Previously published as Ascending Hearts; this version has been revised and expanded.
What happens when Jack meets a sexy man atop that beanstalk?
Rumors of treasure have long sent fortune hunters clambering up a magic beanstalk to a mysterious castle in the clouds. Survivors told of an evil giant who guards the gold and glittering jewels with savage strength. No sane man would dare risk the climb—but Jack has nothing left to lose. Shunned for his evil red hair and abandoned by his cruel lover, he’s desperate to escape his life.
Rion isn’t a giant, only a man bearing the burden of protecting his family’s legacy. It’s a lonely existence, but he’s duty bound. Then Jack appears, and Rion’s world is turned upside down. After a blazing confrontation, undeniable lust sparks. Isolated in the clouds, Jack and Rion give in to their desire and growing connection. But do they have the courage to let go of the past and follow their dreams?
Soon they must protect the treasure—and each other—from a new threat. And they have everything to lose.
This is a retold fairy tale with a twist. Previously published as Ascending Hearts; this version has been revised and expanded.
First published January 2, 2013
About the author
Keira Andrews
63 books2,862 followersKeira aims for the perfect mix of character, plot, and heat in her M/M romances. She writes everything from swashbuckling pirates to heartwarming holiday escapism. Her fave tropes are enemies to lovers, age gaps, forced proximity, and passionate virgins. Although she loves delicious angst along the way, Keira guarantees happy endings!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
May 1, 2015
~4.5 I-fucking-loved-this-book stars~
This is the kind of fairy tale your parents told you when you were a child, the kind with ogres, villains, and heroes; the kind where the hero finds True Love; and maybe there's even a kiss.
So, yes, this is that kind of fairy tale. But with sex. LOTS of dirty, grunting, sweaty sex between Jack of the flaming red hair and Rion the not-so-giant "giant" who has to protect his castle from Outsiders below.
This is very much a twist on Jack and the Beanstock, a story I don't particularly like. But Andrews and Blake's version?
Oh, YES, this one I like VERY MUCH.
This is an enemies-to-lovers story that's juicy, sweet, and suspenseful.
There's an edge of mystery and a beautiful romance between two men, each trapped in his own loneliness and misery: Jack because he's shunned by the town, including his family, for having the "hair of the devil" and Rion, who allows a hollow promise to rule his future.
I cried at 11 percent when Jack lost his best friend, but the rest is just a climb to happiness (with obstacles to overcome, of course; it wouldn't be a fairy tale otherwise, now, would it?).
I love fantasy, tales of other lands. I love romance and HEAs. And I love plentiful, smexy action between two men who adore each other.
This book has it all!
This is the kind of fairy tale your parents told you when you were a child, the kind with ogres, villains, and heroes; the kind where the hero finds True Love; and maybe there's even a kiss.
So, yes, this is that kind of fairy tale. But with sex. LOTS of dirty, grunting, sweaty sex between Jack of the flaming red hair and Rion the not-so-giant "giant" who has to protect his castle from Outsiders below.
This is very much a twist on Jack and the Beanstock, a story I don't particularly like. But Andrews and Blake's version?
Oh, YES, this one I like VERY MUCH.
This is an enemies-to-lovers story that's juicy, sweet, and suspenseful.
There's an edge of mystery and a beautiful romance between two men, each trapped in his own loneliness and misery: Jack because he's shunned by the town, including his family, for having the "hair of the devil" and Rion, who allows a hollow promise to rule his future.
I cried at 11 percent when Jack lost his best friend, but the rest is just a climb to happiness (with obstacles to overcome, of course; it wouldn't be a fairy tale otherwise, now, would it?).
I love fantasy, tales of other lands. I love romance and HEAs. And I love plentiful, smexy action between two men who adore each other.
This book has it all!
April 25, 2015
I gotta admit I was skeptical about this one. I seldom read fantasy, but this book had two things in it's favor: a GINGER(!) and the authors. I'm glad I took a chance because this was such a clever take on Jack and the Bean Stalk. This novella had it all.
*Heartbreak
*Mystery
*Hot sex
*Romance
*Magic
My only complaint is that (for purely selfish reasons) I wish it had been longer. Definitely recommend this one- don't be put off by the fact that's it's based on a fairy tale cause you'll be missing out. 4 Stars!
January 15, 2016
I really do love Fairy Tales, I always have. This is a great interpretation of Jack and the Beanstalk, with some hot as shit, enemies to lovers, boy on boy lovin'. Good stuff.
August 22, 2015
Really adorable gay retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk.
June 10, 2017
This hurt my feelings. A lot.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing but Jack's horrible life and past made me sad over and over and over again. And because of that sad life, the loneliness, the ostracism - it all drives him to desperate measures, hoping to find treasure high in the sky.
This is an entirely ingenious new take on the classic fairy tale, and I was thoroughly entertained. Andrews has yet to fail in bringing the emotional angst and the smexy smex. So despite my painful fretting throughout most of this book, I'm just grateful that Jack finally gets his well deserved happy ending.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing but Jack's horrible life and past made me sad over and over and over again. And because of that sad life, the loneliness, the ostracism - it all drives him to desperate measures, hoping to find treasure high in the sky.
This is an entirely ingenious new take on the classic fairy tale, and I was thoroughly entertained. Andrews has yet to fail in bringing the emotional angst and the smexy smex. So despite my painful fretting throughout most of this book, I'm just grateful that Jack finally gets his well deserved happy ending.
March 15, 2016
I liked it.
It actually made me really sad at times. How Jack was ostracised and Rion's isolation was kind of heart breaking. The lapsed Catholic in me also picked up up on, what felt like, a lot religious undertones but I might just be reading too much into it. Rion's life in particular felt very religious orderish and the people being afraid of the 'giant in the sky'? But again I might be just reading too much into it and 'Jack and Beanstalk' always felt a bit that way anyway!!
I thought that this was going to be a light funny read and in parts it was but it also kind of struck a cord and was sad and really harsh at times. It surprised me but I'm very happy I read and I enjoyed it immensely.
Want to read
March 25, 2015FAIRY TALE AND THERE'S A GINGER?!!!
THANK YOU LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 2, 2016
4 Stars
I’ve always been a fan of the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, and out of some warped sense of protectiveness, I went into this story with my judgy pants on. I often find that modern retellings of classic fairy tales can often be hit or miss for me as a reader. However, in this particular instance, the creative liberties taken here and the original spark evident in the new storytelling, worked wonders for me.
I’ve always considered Jack and the Beanstalk to be somewhat a coming of age story, about a young boy (or man, depending on which version you’re used to) dealing with the effects of poverty, who is, often misguidedly, trying to do what is right by his mother. In the original tale, Jack starts out as quite a gullible character and becomes rather greedy, repeatedly stealing treasure from the giant in the sky. I was never really a fan of Jack as a character in any previous versions of this story, but I always loved the sense of adventure gained from his journey.
In this new and truly awesome revision, Jack is immediately likable. He’s a good man, who has been poorly treated by his family and ridiculed by strangers his entire life. When he finally decides to brave climbing the treacherous beanstalk in the valley near his cottage he only does so in hopes to find enough treasure to pay off a debt owed. He expects to face a giant at the top of the beanstalk, but what he finds instead changes his entire life.
Rion lives alone in a castle in the sky. Bound by a sense of familial duty, he makes it his life’s mission to guard his families treasure from any “outsiders” who may attempt to steal in greed. With the help of a little magic, Rion (and all his ancestors before him) have been able to scare off any trespassers using a powerful illusion to frighten them away with images and sounds of a scary giant. This hoax has worked for years, until one young man runs in instead of out upon being faced with Rion’s giant.
Jack and Rion’s initial interactions are marred by preconceived prejudices, making this a really juicy enemies-to-lovers story. Both men are extremely lonely in their own right, but together they find the companionship they’ve both always needed. To truly gain their happily ever after they must each acknowledge truths they have been unwilling to face and make sacrifices for each other in order to be together. On top of these personal trials, they face outside threats to their safety and happiness, providing lots of fun and suspenseful action to this otherwise sweet and sexy story.
I’ve always been a fan of the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, and out of some warped sense of protectiveness, I went into this story with my judgy pants on. I often find that modern retellings of classic fairy tales can often be hit or miss for me as a reader. However, in this particular instance, the creative liberties taken here and the original spark evident in the new storytelling, worked wonders for me.
I’ve always considered Jack and the Beanstalk to be somewhat a coming of age story, about a young boy (or man, depending on which version you’re used to) dealing with the effects of poverty, who is, often misguidedly, trying to do what is right by his mother. In the original tale, Jack starts out as quite a gullible character and becomes rather greedy, repeatedly stealing treasure from the giant in the sky. I was never really a fan of Jack as a character in any previous versions of this story, but I always loved the sense of adventure gained from his journey.
In this new and truly awesome revision, Jack is immediately likable. He’s a good man, who has been poorly treated by his family and ridiculed by strangers his entire life. When he finally decides to brave climbing the treacherous beanstalk in the valley near his cottage he only does so in hopes to find enough treasure to pay off a debt owed. He expects to face a giant at the top of the beanstalk, but what he finds instead changes his entire life.
Rion lives alone in a castle in the sky. Bound by a sense of familial duty, he makes it his life’s mission to guard his families treasure from any “outsiders” who may attempt to steal in greed. With the help of a little magic, Rion (and all his ancestors before him) have been able to scare off any trespassers using a powerful illusion to frighten them away with images and sounds of a scary giant. This hoax has worked for years, until one young man runs in instead of out upon being faced with Rion’s giant.
Jack and Rion’s initial interactions are marred by preconceived prejudices, making this a really juicy enemies-to-lovers story. Both men are extremely lonely in their own right, but together they find the companionship they’ve both always needed. To truly gain their happily ever after they must each acknowledge truths they have been unwilling to face and make sacrifices for each other in order to be together. On top of these personal trials, they face outside threats to their safety and happiness, providing lots of fun and suspenseful action to this otherwise sweet and sexy story.
June 10, 2015
OMG
Did I ever imagine Jack could fall in love with the giant and live happily ever after when I first read the book....Jack and the Beanstalk original fairytale.
Did I like Jack falling in love with the Giant.
I am all grown up now and can handle sex too....
So you see no reason to not love this story.
Simple,short,sweet story.
Did I ever imagine Jack could fall in love with the giant and live happily ever after when I first read the book....Jack and the Beanstalk original fairytale.
Did I like Jack falling in love with the Giant.
I am all grown up now and can handle sex too....
So you see no reason to not love this story.
Simple,short,sweet story.
January 12, 2013
I loved the first collaboration of these authors (book #1 of the Tempting Tales, Earthly Desires) that I couldn't wait to see the next story in this series. This one was inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk.
As an erotic fairytale, this one did offer a numerous sex scenes. But I thought the story "outside the bedroom" was quite well-written. Both men were trapped in their situation: Jack was poor and he was entrapped to live with his mother who didn't like him and the rest of the town who shunned him for being different (his ginger hair was considered evil). While Rion was shackled with a sense of duty, to guard the family treasure, alone in the castle in the sky.
Jack was the first trying to escape his life after he lost everything that meant a lot to him -- and that his mother finally went to live with Jack's sister and her husband. There was one scene that just broke my heart completely, broke it to million pieces (Warning: ). I choked and sobbed along with Jack.
When Jack climbed the beanstalk, he was captured by Rion. But Jack was able to turn the table. The attraction was strong between them, and they learned that sometimes things were not always like what they've been told. Rion was no evil giant. And for Rion, Jack was no filthy disgusting Outsider, that his parents insisted must be eliminated.
Of course, like all fairytale, the road to true love didn't come smooth. There were dragons to be slayed! In this case, the "dragons" were Rion's deep sense of duty, as well as a couple of villagers who insisted to get the treasure in the castle, no matter the cost.
It was a wonderful tale ... and sometimes the writing was very fairytale like, which was fine with me. Especially the epilogue, that one was beautiful.
Now I wonder what other fairytale these authors will rewrite! :)
As an erotic fairytale, this one did offer a numerous sex scenes. But I thought the story "outside the bedroom" was quite well-written. Both men were trapped in their situation: Jack was poor and he was entrapped to live with his mother who didn't like him and the rest of the town who shunned him for being different (his ginger hair was considered evil). While Rion was shackled with a sense of duty, to guard the family treasure, alone in the castle in the sky.
Jack was the first trying to escape his life after he lost everything that meant a lot to him -- and that his mother finally went to live with Jack's sister and her husband. There was one scene that just broke my heart completely, broke it to million pieces (Warning: ). I choked and sobbed along with Jack.
When Jack climbed the beanstalk, he was captured by Rion. But Jack was able to turn the table. The attraction was strong between them, and they learned that sometimes things were not always like what they've been told. Rion was no evil giant. And for Rion, Jack was no filthy disgusting Outsider, that his parents insisted must be eliminated.
Of course, like all fairytale, the road to true love didn't come smooth. There were dragons to be slayed! In this case, the "dragons" were Rion's deep sense of duty, as well as a couple of villagers who insisted to get the treasure in the castle, no matter the cost.
It was a wonderful tale ... and sometimes the writing was very fairytale like, which was fine with me. Especially the epilogue, that one was beautiful.
Now I wonder what other fairytale these authors will rewrite! :)
May 17, 2015
Keira Andrews is making it into my list of wonderful authors!
I loved this story so much.
The writing was so good, that I could practically taste, both Jack's and Rion's loneliness and sadness.
It is a sweet yet melancholic fairy tale, and it reminded me a bit of one of Kim Fielding's worlds (that I like!)
Wonderful sweet and sexy short!
I loved this story so much.
The writing was so good, that I could practically taste, both Jack's and Rion's loneliness and sadness.
It is a sweet yet melancholic fairy tale, and it reminded me a bit of one of Kim Fielding's worlds (that I like!)
Wonderful sweet and sexy short!
February 6, 2017
3.5 Stars
A rather porny take on a classic fairy tale. As as much plot as the original tale, but I kind of figured that going in. The bad guys get their comeuppance and the good guys live happily ever after and fuck a lot. A good time was had by all. Well ... not so much for the bad guys.
A rather porny take on a classic fairy tale. As as much plot as the original tale, but I kind of figured that going in. The bad guys get their comeuppance and the good guys live happily ever after and fuck a lot. A good time was had by all. Well ... not so much for the bad guys.
June 10, 2015
BR with friends here
Sweet and fluffy and fairy ... Great snack book.
Sweet and fluffy and fairy ... Great snack book.
June 29, 2015
Really liked it!
May 10, 2015
Loved this take on an old fairy tale.
May 8, 2015
Delightful fairy tale!! Loved that the two lonely souls -- Rion, the "Giant" and Jack -- found each other. It was a little sweet and a little sexy combined!
November 23, 2015
4.5 stars
January 30, 2013
Absolutely loved it! A thoroughly captivating read with solid writing from front to back, and language that is consistent and befits a fairytale. The cover is beautiful too and really captures the looks and spirit of Jack. However, the story is not only told from his perspective but also from Rion's, who is the other main character.
Ginger Jack is an outcast in the village he lives in, shunned because of his fiery locks that can only come from the devil. He lives with his mother who can't stand the sight of him and they live a plain life on the verge of poverty. On the day he loses everything that he holds dear, he finally finds the courage to climb the beanstalk.
The castle in the sky is inhabited by one man only, Rion, who follows obediently in his family's footsteps to guard the treasure from all the filthy, thieving Outsiders from down below. He is no giant, but has a way of disguising himself effectively as one, thus keeping the legend alive.
Rion captures Jack in no time flat when he makes his way into the castle, but in a surprising move Jack manages to turn the tables and that is when their lives begin to change.
What I loved most about this tale is the premise of setting yourself free. Both men are captives in their own lives in one way or another. Jack and Rion are fully fleshed out, strong characters that I felt instantly drawn to. Their backgrounds and situations are complex, which has shaped them to be who they are and makes them clash more often than not, which I loved. It's not easy to let go of what you know, who you think you are or how you were made to believe you should lead your life. This transformation process and taking ownership of your own life, dreams and desires is described beautifully.
At one point I wondered if Rion was going to be able to let go of his strong sense of duty. I really, really felt for his struggle and loved the way it was resolved.
Jack is a beautiful, free spirit, which he doesn't (begin to) realise until he climbs that stalk.
They fall in love too of course and become lovers fairly quickly but not easily. To give in to the attraction and their feelings is not just about sex, it's about everything. These scenes are the way I like them; part of the plot, hot, but don't overwhelm the story.
I like this one even more than the first one in the series.
Keira and Leta are doing some great writing together and really finding their stride with this second story. They're making ancient fairytales their own, creating a re-telling that I like more than the original! I can't wait to find out which fairytale they will choose next.
<3
Ginger Jack is an outcast in the village he lives in, shunned because of his fiery locks that can only come from the devil. He lives with his mother who can't stand the sight of him and they live a plain life on the verge of poverty. On the day he loses everything that he holds dear, he finally finds the courage to climb the beanstalk.
The castle in the sky is inhabited by one man only, Rion, who follows obediently in his family's footsteps to guard the treasure from all the filthy, thieving Outsiders from down below. He is no giant, but has a way of disguising himself effectively as one, thus keeping the legend alive.
Rion captures Jack in no time flat when he makes his way into the castle, but in a surprising move Jack manages to turn the tables and that is when their lives begin to change.
What I loved most about this tale is the premise of setting yourself free. Both men are captives in their own lives in one way or another. Jack and Rion are fully fleshed out, strong characters that I felt instantly drawn to. Their backgrounds and situations are complex, which has shaped them to be who they are and makes them clash more often than not, which I loved. It's not easy to let go of what you know, who you think you are or how you were made to believe you should lead your life. This transformation process and taking ownership of your own life, dreams and desires is described beautifully.
At one point I wondered if Rion was going to be able to let go of his strong sense of duty. I really, really felt for his struggle and loved the way it was resolved.
Jack is a beautiful, free spirit, which he doesn't (begin to) realise until he climbs that stalk.
They fall in love too of course and become lovers fairly quickly but not easily. To give in to the attraction and their feelings is not just about sex, it's about everything. These scenes are the way I like them; part of the plot, hot, but don't overwhelm the story.
I like this one even more than the first one in the series.
Keira and Leta are doing some great writing together and really finding their stride with this second story. They're making ancient fairytales their own, creating a re-telling that I like more than the original! I can't wait to find out which fairytale they will choose next.
<3
March 19, 2015
Delightful fairy tale of Jack (of the beanstalk variety) and Rion (the supposed giant) who both find what they want most - someone to love and love them back. Really enjoyed it.
October 29, 2015
I really enjoyed this fairy tale. Rion and Jack were perfect for each other and I definitely believe in their HEA.
Want to read
June 5, 2015
November 1, 2016
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this fun twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. Short and sweet.
I enjoyed this fun twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. Short and sweet.
May 31, 2015
4.5 Stars
June 30, 2021
Adorable retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk as a gay romance.
This was light and sweet. It’s instalove so be prepared! I just wanted the MCs to be loved and happy so I was fine with it. Oh and that ending…so satisfying.
This was light and sweet. It’s instalove so be prepared! I just wanted the MCs to be loved and happy so I was fine with it. Oh and that ending…so satisfying.
January 2, 2016
A sweet alternate telling of the classic Jack & The Beanstalk.
Poor Jack is flame haired and believed cursed for it. Apparently the townsfolk take the whole "gingers have no soul" thing pretty seriously.
It doesn't help that he's gay, and believes that his ginger locks, and the fact he wants a knight more than a maiden fair, is confirmation that he's the devil's spawn.
When Jack's only friend (his cow) is sold by his mother, without his permission, he tries to get her back and strikes a deal to get her back
The only way he can think to repay the debt is to climb the stalk to the giant's castle and find (read: steal) some of the treasure rumored to be guarded there. Apparently it's fine to steal other people's stuff if you're desperate? Not such a great morality tale at that point.
Rion, the "giant" in the castle, is the last of his family who guards the treasure and cares for the castle. He knows it's his duty to find a wife and have children to continue the line so the castle and treasure is safe...but even though he is so very lonely he dreams of a knight not a wife.
When Jack comes, after some initial fighting, they slowly begin to learn from each other, and quickly fall in love.
It's a sweet story with a cheer worthy HEA.
Poor Jack is flame haired and believed cursed for it. Apparently the townsfolk take the whole "gingers have no soul" thing pretty seriously.
It doesn't help that he's gay, and believes that his ginger locks, and the fact he wants a knight more than a maiden fair, is confirmation that he's the devil's spawn.
When Jack's only friend (his cow) is sold by his mother, without his permission, he tries to get her back and strikes a deal to get her back
The only way he can think to repay the debt is to climb the stalk to the giant's castle and find (read: steal) some of the treasure rumored to be guarded there. Apparently it's fine to steal other people's stuff if you're desperate? Not such a great morality tale at that point.
Rion, the "giant" in the castle, is the last of his family who guards the treasure and cares for the castle. He knows it's his duty to find a wife and have children to continue the line so the castle and treasure is safe...but even though he is so very lonely he dreams of a knight not a wife.
When Jack comes, after some initial fighting, they slowly begin to learn from each other, and quickly fall in love.
It's a sweet story with a cheer worthy HEA.
December 22, 2013
I really enjoyed this latest Tempting Tales offering. Jack and Rion were great characters, two very different, nuanced men, each in his own way trapped in his circumstances. As with the first Tempting Tales book, Earthly Desires, I think what I found most compelling was the history behind the story. Leta and Keira have a way of exploring how the characters became who they are and how their circumstances evolved that is just endlessly fascinating to me. They also construct one situation which I always find very heart-rending, which is where the characters find themselves at an impasse where they desperately WANT to be together, but simply can't.
My only complaint is that at about 9% of the way through the book, there is one paragraph that I suspect the wording of which is pretty important, because (I suspect) it's a carefully constructed bit of double-speak that traps Jack into a certain situation, but somehow it came out as complete gibberish. This is no fault of the authors or the writing; Ellora's Cave (the publisher) needs to be more careful about their formatting and editing.
Apparently this was only a problem with the .prc version and EC is aware of it and has fixed it.
Apparently this was only a problem with the .prc version and EC is aware of it and has fixed it.
June 3, 2015
What a lovely little fairy tale!! I don't remember all of the specifics of the original, but I love what they did in this, with the mythology and characters. With Inga and Adair (that bastard!) and Rion. I wanted to snuggle the hell out of Jack and his red hair.
The story was sweet, sexy, and sometimes sad. There were a few twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my treadmill, which I hadn't really anticipated. Keira Andrews always does a great job balancing angst and everything else, and I've never read anything else of Leta Blake's, but the two women appear to work very well together. The storytelling was seamless and smooth.
Thoroughly enjoyable!!
The story was sweet, sexy, and sometimes sad. There were a few twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my treadmill, which I hadn't really anticipated. Keira Andrews always does a great job balancing angst and everything else, and I've never read anything else of Leta Blake's, but the two women appear to work very well together. The storytelling was seamless and smooth.
Thoroughly enjoyable!!
January 13, 2016
Another 'falling off the kindle carousel' victim. Really good re-working of Jack and the Beanstalk, with some pretty hot moments for Jack and Rion. Thank goodness the lovely Adair fell to his death, hehe. 4 stars.
May 6, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
So obviously Rise is a retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk story, and it is quite a lot of fun. I am a big fan of fairy tale retellings and this is not one I come across too often. It is a bit unusual in the genre as it puts our traditional hero and villain together, each who have to open their minds to better understand the other. These are two such lonely men, each longing for companionship but not expecting to ever find the love they want. Rion has accepted he must sacrifice himself for his family and protect the treasure after his other siblings left the castle to pursue their own lives. For years since his parents’ deaths he has been alone, fueled by his sense of duty and his certainty of the evil that lies below him. Jack is also alone, hated by his family and the villagers. He too has heard stories of evil, this time from the sky. So both these men start off as enemies, certain that they know all about the other, but really knowing nothing. Rion and Jack are good, sweet men and worthy of love. It is really rewarding to see them find happiness together.
The authors take the traditional story and keep many of the key elements, while also adding some twists. We have the beanstalk and the cow and the giant in the clouds of legend. But we also get some really creative expansion on this tale, especially in regards to Rion and his family and his legacy. There is also a side plot involving the son of the baron, a former lover of Jack’s who mistreated him and now is married to his sister. So there is a nice balance here of the very recognizable tale, accompanied by some really clever story telling that further builds the world.
Rise is an expanded and revised version of a story previously published by the authors with Ellora’s Cave. It was originally released as Ascending Hearts and part of a fairy tale series (and I reviewed the original here). I enjoyed it so much the first time around I was eager to give it another try in its new iteration. To be honest, I read it long enough ago I couldn’t spot the changes, so it is hard to say whether it is worth rebuying if you already own the other version. But I can definitely recommend this version with no hesitation. Rise is fun, sexy, and cleverly done. I really enjoyed it a lot.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
So obviously Rise is a retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk story, and it is quite a lot of fun. I am a big fan of fairy tale retellings and this is not one I come across too often. It is a bit unusual in the genre as it puts our traditional hero and villain together, each who have to open their minds to better understand the other. These are two such lonely men, each longing for companionship but not expecting to ever find the love they want. Rion has accepted he must sacrifice himself for his family and protect the treasure after his other siblings left the castle to pursue their own lives. For years since his parents’ deaths he has been alone, fueled by his sense of duty and his certainty of the evil that lies below him. Jack is also alone, hated by his family and the villagers. He too has heard stories of evil, this time from the sky. So both these men start off as enemies, certain that they know all about the other, but really knowing nothing. Rion and Jack are good, sweet men and worthy of love. It is really rewarding to see them find happiness together.
The authors take the traditional story and keep many of the key elements, while also adding some twists. We have the beanstalk and the cow and the giant in the clouds of legend. But we also get some really creative expansion on this tale, especially in regards to Rion and his family and his legacy. There is also a side plot involving the son of the baron, a former lover of Jack’s who mistreated him and now is married to his sister. So there is a nice balance here of the very recognizable tale, accompanied by some really clever story telling that further builds the world.
Rise is an expanded and revised version of a story previously published by the authors with Ellora’s Cave. It was originally released as Ascending Hearts and part of a fairy tale series (and I reviewed the original here). I enjoyed it so much the first time around I was eager to give it another try in its new iteration. To be honest, I read it long enough ago I couldn’t spot the changes, so it is hard to say whether it is worth rebuying if you already own the other version. But I can definitely recommend this version with no hesitation. Rise is fun, sexy, and cleverly done. I really enjoyed it a lot.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
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