“Nerdection Worth to Read”
When people hope to see their dreams come to fruition, they tend to wish for their aspirations to be made tangible. However, Rayshell’s nightly reveries seep into her real life, crossing the immutable boundary of sleeping fantasies. Leaving her with remnants of their existence that last long after they jolt her awake. From a letting of blood turned to shards of scarlet glass, to the tightness in her chest as her heart struggles to come to terms with the separation from a lover she can scarcely recall. And she is not alone in experiencing this bizarre phenomenon: her best friend, Trish, also contends with the souvenirs of her own visions. Their arrival several weeks ahead of her best friend’s. For once, she holds the advantage of knowledge, and it is up to her to forge a path forward, for her and Rayshell.
As the two young women are driven by an unknown urgency to solve the mysteries of the lives of the people they bear witness to whenever their senses are overcome with the familiarity of a memory, darkness tints the edges of their present days, harder to perceive by the state of their now impaired condition. Real life continues all around them. School, work and teenage friendships and relationships monopolize their time while the “other two”—the otherworldly women they share their corporeal vessels with—lend them their guidance. fight to find their way back home where their mortal presence is required if life itself is to survive the treacherous meddling of a foe who wishes to throw the natural order of things into chaos of his own making.
Spoiler-free Plot
Rayshell would love nothing more than to wake up unburdened by lingering reminders from her dreams. She wishes she could rid herself of the haunting borne from the heavy emotions transferred from the faces of familiar strangers. If they could cooperate with her wish to be left alone. Then she could exist in blissful ignorance, unaware of the presence of strange beings with powers, unlike anything she has ever witnessed, of realms far removed from her human one, and of the romance she sorely lacks, having felt the warmth given freely to Navaryn by her friends and her dear paramour Von. Navaryn—the true owner of the visions. The woman whose life has become intertwined with her own, with Rayshell having no say in the matter besides facing her dreams, peels them back one at a time, arranging them all to reveal the information hidden within in the hopes of restoring her autonomy. Only then will she earn her freedom, releasing herself from the confusion of a shared life she never asked for.
Trish can see the evidence etched deeply into her best friend’s face. After all, those exact symptoms plagued her for weeks preceding Rayshell’s confession. Lowenna’s essence is an easier guest to house within Trish’s body. Her gentle spirit eases Trish into a steady cooperation. It is in both of their best interests to keep Rayshell and Navaryn safe, and they set out to do just that. They dredge up any advantage they could find and employ in their mission to return Lowenna and Navaryn home safely, whilst leaving Trish and Rayshell to resume their own lives, unharmed from their temporary occupation.
Meanwhile, in an alternate world, sworn enemies reunite to rescue the two women who they call daughters, friends, and lovers. Under their unified goal of restoring Navaryn and Lowenna to their true forms in order to safeguard the final sacred text that remains outside of Merisek’s possession, the trust they’ve chosen to give one another is a fickle thing in the face of historical animosity. With all their attention tuned firmly onto Merisek’s plotting, a secondary villain emerges from the ranks of their most trusted allies.
My Take on The Chimera Snare: Fragments
This book couldn’t have fallen into my lap at a better time even if it tried to. I selected it with the intention of filling each day of the week with a sprinkle of fantasy to tide me over in between doses of an award-winning fantasy TV show (you know the one). For this purpose, it was unhelpful. I ripped through all four hundred-plus pages too fast to satiate my cravings for fictional worlds chock-full of supernatural powers, magical objects, and mythical beasts. I compliment the author for making this story un-put-down-able, if there ever was such a word. The flow of chapters, the endings in particular held a commanding way of dictating my pacing. Some were wrapped up very neatly, a perfect place to stop and put the book down for the night, while others demanded that you read more and more and more, chapter after chapter, only slowing once the plot arrived at a natural lull.
On the characters and worldbuilding in this story, I believe that what exists now is a solid framework that could be sufficiently padded up by the books that are to follow. Avid readers of the fantasy genre will hardly balk at the prospect of hundreds upon hundreds of pages awaiting them when selecting a new read. This story could’ve benefitted from such an expansion. I would’ve loved to read more drawn-out vignettes of the romantic relationships, failed, past and present. Also, small nuggets about the physical destruction of Opiri, or Merisek’s potential for a change of heart so they’re not sprung at the readers out of the blue. A few of the plotlines did feel somewhat rushed and it lessened the attachment readers should feel towards the fates of the main characters, which is a shame as there are glimpses of very endearing qualities within them. Like the sisterhood and brotherhood between Lowenna and Navaryn and Claymar and Von respectively.
Overall, The Chimera Snare: Fragments offers a compelling blend of dark fantasy elements wrapped up in a fast-paced narrative, making it a gripping read for fans of the genre.
Age Rating
16 years and above
Content Warning
Foul Language, Gore, Implied Sexual Abuse, Nudity, Sexual Content, Violence,
About The Author Of The Chimera Snare: Fragments
Shannon Vierra (S. Black)
Shannon was born and raised in California and currently lives in Illinois with her husband, Edward, and their cat rescues. She is an urban gardener and an avid seed collector. In the makeup community, Shannon goes by zoomzoommacaron where she collaborates with fellow MUAS across the world. She hosts a monthly zombie-themed makeup group called the #zombabescollab and adores SFX and other creative makeup. Shannon is also the owner of ShopCorpsicle which specializes in handmade props, fake food, miniatures, prosthetics and other accessories. She uses the alias Silence In Shadows for her traditional art. She also enjoys anime, cult-classic horror movies, cooking (and eating), sunbathing, photography, craft beer, and singing badly.
Music fuels Shannon’s many passions, especially while writing and creating art. She credits music for having a hand in saving her life on multiple accounts in her teenage and young adult years.
Edward Ayllon (E. Black)
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Edward first discovered the joys of creative writing through his early high school studies, and has spent many years exploring and developing a deep appreciation for the arts. Since first collaborating with his wife, Shannon, he has sprouted a passion and true affinity for storytelling and crafting literature. In addition to refining his skill in creating written works, his other interests include playing bass guitar, listening to music, and dabbling in photography. Edward is currently based in the greater Chicago area with his wife amidst his ever-growing vinyl collection and clowder of rescue cats.
Leave a ReplyCancel reply