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See Me #1
See Me
While most seventeen-year-old American girls would refuse to let their parents marry them off to a stranger, Robyn Mason dreams of the mysterious McKale in Ireland, wondering how he’ll look and imagining his cute Irish accent. Prearranged bindings are common for magical families like her own, however when she travels to the whimsical Emerald Isle she discovers there’s more to her betrothal and McKale’s clan than she was led to believe.
What starts as an obligatory pairing between Robyn and McKale morphs over time into something they both need. But one giant obstacle stands in the way of their budding romance: a seductive and deadly Fae princess accustomed to getting what she wants—and what she wants is McKale as her plaything. Love, desire, and jealousies collide as Robyn’s family and McKale’s clan must work together to outsmart the powerful Faeries and preserve the only hope left for their people.
What starts as an obligatory pairing between Robyn and McKale morphs over time into something they both need. But one giant obstacle stands in the way of their budding romance: a seductive and deadly Fae princess accustomed to getting what she wants—and what she wants is McKale as her plaything. Love, desire, and jealousies collide as Robyn’s family and McKale’s clan must work together to outsmart the powerful Faeries and preserve the only hope left for their people.
313 pages, Nook
First published February 1, 2014
About the author
Wendy Higgins
20 books7,982 followersWendy Higgins is a USA Today and NY Times bestselling author.
After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until achieving her dream job as a full-time writer.
Wendy lives in Virginia Beach with her daughter, son, and little doggies Rue & Nessie.
After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until achieving her dream job as a full-time writer.
Wendy lives in Virginia Beach with her daughter, son, and little doggies Rue & Nessie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 492 reviews
March 20, 2014
McKale was from another family of ancient magic. His people had only been able to produce male children for many, many years now. I was told they needed a special, magical girl to bind herself with one of their special, magical boys to ensure the continuation of their family’s bloodline. It sounded extraordinary to me as a child—like I was a princess—special, chosen.Well, aren't you both just so fucking special?
What's the fucking point of having leprechauns in a book when the sole leprechaun love interest is a motherfucking giant? Why are you completely screwing with mythology here?
This book was just terrible. Read it if you want a good laugh, because I found myself howling with laughter at the many moments of utter absurdity, but it is just so laughably bad. This book is so much worse than typical YA hilarity.
You guys remember the feminist movement? Well, this book takes us back about 100 years in terms of female empowerment. This book lets girls think that it's ok to be completely on board with getting into an arranged marriage at 17 (as long as the guy is hot). This book lets you think that it's ok to slut shame your little sister and constantly remark on how profane she is and how much she sleeps around---as long as you still love your sister and is there to comfort her when she inevitable gets trouble for having loose legs.
“Oh, Cassidy Renee,” she whispered into the air. Her eyes watered. “Why must you learn everything the hard way?”This book lets you think that, when two people are cheating, it's the girl's fault for being the seductress. Let me tell you something. It takes two to fucking tango.
“You kissed her?” He nodded once. His eyes were strained. “Really kiss her?” Another nod.This book lets you think that it's ok to live in a society of people who thinks it's "just tradition" to believe that women are lesser. This book lets you believe that sexual harrassment is ok, just as long as, you know, men didn't MEAN to offend.
Jealousy reared, but I didn’t feel angry at McKale. I knew he did what he had to do.
There was an abundance of winking going on, and no female’s backside was safe from an onslaught of pinches, including mine.To that, I give a big "Fuck you" to this book.
It wasn’t viewed as an act of disrespect. Even McKale thought it was funny.
This book has a Ken doll of a love interest. Which is to say, McKale is a desexualized ideal, a boy who is everything that a girl could ever want, without flaw, wholly romantic, wholly pure---intact with virginity and without indecent thoughts.
In short: like a Ken doll, the guy doesn't have a fucking penis.
The Summary: At 17, we all have dreams, aspirations. Some girls want to be astronauts. Some girls want to take over Hollywood. Some girls want to be CEOs.
Robyn Mason wants to get married.
The term “prearranged marriage” was thought of as something from the old days, or something that other societies did. I should have been terrified or indignant, but the way Mom presented my future eleven years ago made me feel important and useful.There was never such a beauty as Robyn Mason. Cleopatra gnashed her teeth in jealousy. Helen of Troy could only aspire to such beauty. Queen Elizabeth I would have eliminated Robyn in her cradle---
Wait, what? Did you say cradle?
Yes, I said cradle. BECAUSE SINCE THE DAY OF HER BIRTH, ROBYN MASON HAS BEEN GLORIOUS. FA-BU-LOUS *snaps fingers*
I want you to go get your baby albums. Take a look at yo' newborn self. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you're ugly. Hideous. Nothing like the main character in this book. She was beautiful. Stunning. Absolutely bloody gorgeous, from birth. Her 3-week-old self was so marvelously divine that she charmed the hell out of the Faery Queen consort.
[Her mother] had a sudden fervent wish that Robyn was bald and funny-looking like so many precious babies she’d seen. Instead, the consort admired an inch-plus of wavy chestnut hair, rounded pink cheeks and the sweetest puckered mouth. Chocolate eyes and black lashes blinked at the Faerie. Beauty.She has been engaged since birth to a special guy from a special family.
What her parents failed to tell her is that this special guy is from a special family---of leprechauns.
“Mom…” My heart pounded and I chose my words carefully. “What is McKale’s clan called?”But it's ok, because special, different, 5'11 Robyn (She's the 3rd 5'11 YA heroine I've read this year)...
She wouldn’t look at me. The cabin space seemed to close in on me. It was forever before she answered in a cracking voice. “They’re the Leprechauns.”
I’d always felt like an Amazon woman, standing as tall as the guys at school, and even taller than many of them....is going to marry the special, different McKale. Who is a giant among Leprechauns. Who has always felt...different.
He sighed and swallowed. “When I was a wee lad, I dreamed of running away. I didn’t understand why I had to be different. Not just my height."
Yes! Yes, ladies and gentleman! Robyn, somehow, finds herself the mate of the one, sole, GIGANTIC FUCKING LEPRECHAUN IN THE ENTIRE FUCKING WORLD.
What follows is a courtship. A romance. They meet a cousin of the Leprechauns---the Clourichauns. Men even smaller than Leprechauns, except, for some fucking reason, the guy they meet---the guy Robyn's sister falls for...can enlarge himself (insert sexual joke here) at will!
“So you can get big, like us?” she asked her tiny admirer. He nodded. “Can you do it now?”The entire book is composed of a fucking courtship. There is no plot beyond that. I don't know how, but it took the entire fucking length of the book for McKale and Robyn to fall in love when they already fell into insta-love when they first met.
A short blast of tingling magic hit us at our backs and we spun around. There on the top of the table sat Rock, full-sized, limber legs crossed.
I’d expected to feel emotional when I laid eyes on him. But I hadn’t expected the emotion to be so intense that it would impact me physically. Blood rushed through my veins at an alarming speed. My mind swirled and I swear I tilted to the side, off balance and unable to fully fill my lungs.The entire book is composed of such inanities as soccer-playing:
At one point I had the ball and when I turned to dribble away she tripped me, and then we were at it again. The crowd was clapping in sync and chanting, “Ma-son Girls! Ma-son Girls!”Hopper-racing:
“Hopper racing,” McKale said.Clubbing.
As we got closer I could make out the barrier of rocks lining the “racetracks” and a dozen frogs hopping every which way inside.
My Leprechaun had rhythm. And it was hot in a way that made me dizzy. I let myself lean back hard against him, raising my arms to the air and moving my hips.And sexual harrassment.
At one point in the game Cassidy screamed, “The next pair of grabby hands that touches my boobs or butt is getting a beatdown!”But not all is well in Ireland! There is an evil Fae princess, by the name of...Khaleesi!
Her tiny oval face was made of delicate features that would break any girl’s heart with envy. I was mesmerized by her big, almond shaped eyes of icy blue and her round, innocent flower of a mouth. Her hair was amazing: long, past her hips, straight and thick without a single hair out of place. The color was like white gold: the ultimate platinum blonde.
Crap. Sorry. Sorry!!! Wrong book. Wrong show. I meant her name is Khalistah!
What a powerful name! Khalistah! Not to be confused with her friend, Melindalah.
“I daresay not, Melindalah,” Khalistah answered.Or her other friend, Mirandalah.
“Is this the one who fancies you to pieces, Princess?”Khalistah wants him! That bitch! She has the nerve to desire McKale! I don't know why, since he doesn't have a penis, but there you go, she wants him! Will Robyn be able to save the innocent, virginal McKale form the evil seductress fairy princess's evil clutches?! Will she able to do it before I pass out from hysteria induced by extreme laughter?!
“The very same, Mirandalah.”
The Setting: Doesn't make any fucking sense!!!!!!! I have so many questions! The world building is utter crap, and believe me, I know crap when I read it. This has got to be one of the worst Fae-related settings I've ever read because it is so completely undeveloped.
*takes deep breath*
Why the fuck are the Fae so fucking dangerous? We are never, ever given any reason to truly fear the Fae. We're told that, oh, we humans must do ____ and ____ in order not to piss our evil Fae dictators off! BUT WHY? WHY ARE YOU SO SCARED? In the book, the Fae do fucking nothing but Glamour stuff and make you feel desiiiiiiiiire Faefever-style.
My entire body tightened and pulsed with a sensual charge. I was filled with need and want and—Oh please, feelings of horniness? I get wetter every time I see Tom Hiddleston's face onscreen.
Can you blame me?
The point is that the Fae, to me, posed no danger at all, because there is no explicit threat shown to me within the book. I don't know why they're so fucking scared of them. The Fae are really pretty. That's all.
Have you ever heard of a fucking babysitter? Robyn got into this fucking mess in the first place because her parents had to bring her into Faeryland. They work for the Fae king/queen and they had to give a report. They tried to hide Robyn in a basket, and like a baby, ROBYN CRIED. I am shocked. SHOCKED, that a baby doesn't keep its mouth shut. Why did they have to bring the fucking baby to work?! Get a fucking baby sitter!
Leprechauns?! What the FUCK? The Leprechauns exist because they are the shoemakers to the Fae.
WHY THE FUCK?! The Fae have human agents. Haven't they fucking heard of Gucci? Chanel? Payless? Why the fuck are they employing an entire race of completely obsolete shoemakers who create trouble---when the Fae can just send their human agents (THEY HAVE HUMAN AGENTS) to fucking BUY SOME SHOES.
Why are the Leprechauns so isolated when they can easily get from their world into the human world? Why are they so ass-fucking-backwards when technology is readily available (and just a car ride away). So many questions. No answers. Poop. Poooooooooop.
Politically-Correct Ranting: I'm gonna get a little anal about this book, mainly because hey, if I'm going to protest in one book about the misrepresentation of Asian people, I might as well be fair and call out bullshit when I see it in other nationalities/races. If you're Irish, and you're pretty fucking sick of all the OMG LUCKY CHARMS jolly little green men stripping naked and playing football (that's soccer to you 'Muricans) and having a grand ole' time, you might find yourself a wee bit offended by this book. If you want to take the stereotypical portrayals tongue-in-cheek, and you think I'm a politically correct pain in the ass who sucks all the joy out of reading, well, you're perfectly entitled to your opinion, too!
“Do me a favor,” she said to Rock. “Say ‘They’re always trying to steal me Lucky Charms.’”There's no shortage to Irish stereotypes in the book. The main character is a redhead! They all play fiddles! They get really rowdy, naked, and drunk. They dance on tabletops. They get drunk some more! They play more fiddles! Ye gods!
Cass sang, “They’re magically delicious!”WHAT FUCKING LEPRECHAUNS?! What's the fucking point of featuring Leprechauns in a book if you're going to make him (the love interest) the ONE SINGLE GIANT FUCKING LEPRECHAUN IN A SEA OF TINY ASS PEOPLE?
What's the point of using a lesser-known type of leprechauns, an EVEN TINIER RACE, if you're gonna give the main character's little sister a Clourichain love interest WHO CAN GROW HUMAN-SIZED AT WILL? Jesus fucking Christ, what the hell is this fuckery?
There are some things that the YA genre should just leave the fuck alone, because really, I can't see myself ever falling for a leprechaun. Even a tall one.
The Romance:
He pulled me to him again and laid his lips gently against mine.
“I fancied it when ye called me Kale.”
McKale---or Kale, as he prefers to be called---is not a man. He doesn't have a penis.He is a 50-year old virgin. He really is 50.
I watched him go, noting his long limbs and thin frame. It was hard to believe he was fifty-years-old and his body still had some filling-out to do.Am I the only one who finds this incredibly creepy? Leprechauns age slowly, but still. 50, dude. No.
He paints her toenails. He is bashful. He can't meet her eyes. He has never kissed anyone (well, except for KHALISTAH but that's only because SHE made him. It wasn't his fault at all. I mean, who would want to kiss a beautiful Fae princess? Pfft. So not his fault.). He paints her toenails. He brings her baskets of berries. He sniffs her hair.
I felt my ponytail lift and I stopped cranking. A slow turn of my head caught McKale letting the hair fall from his hand. He’d been smelling my hair. And now he wore an expression like a boy who’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.They are content to sit there, gazing lovingly into each others' eyes.
His hands held each side of my face. I reached up and held his forearms until he pulled away just enough to see my eyes. We sat there, reading each other and savoring our prospects.Well, savoring our prospects! That's just gosh darned dang diddly romantic!
Why the FUCK does Khaleesi--sorry, sorry, Khalistah! want him?! She has been on his ass for years, years! She wants him. She is obsessed with him. WHY?! What the fuck makes him so bloody special? Why is this stunning Fae princess so enamored?
"I had never met a living thing like you. Brave enough to seek me, yet too shy to touch me. Such a refreshing change from the arrogance of Fae males."WELL THAT JUST EXPLAINS EVERYTHING. Are you fucking kidding me?
Read
March 6, 2016It's time to share my sweet little Irish folktale with the world. Get ready for something that's, at times, quirky and silly, romantic and swoony, heartfelt and emotional, and all together different.
I'm happy to introduce Robyn and McKale. <3 Have fun!
I'm happy to introduce Robyn and McKale. <3 Have fun!
October 8, 2017
This book was so ridiculous that I actually enjoyed it. It is like one of those movies like Sharknado or and old Godzilla film - such a train wreck that it is fun! And this was a huge train wreck - epic. There were so many things that made me happy in this story, such as:
A 17 yr old girl being betrothed to a 50 yr old Leprechaun.
Imagine this scenario, but the guy is 3 feet tall, wearing a little green suit and a tiny green hat...\
A village of Leprechauns who make shoes for the Fae because:
"they love to dance so much that they naturally wear out their shoes often and have great need for shoes."
Said village of Leprechauns are all dwarfs, except for the betrothed McKale (how convenient), who was a social outcast for being tall. They wouldn't even let him play soccer with them...
Oh, if only the book had taken this direction! I might have liked it then.
When Robyn and her sister took McKale and Rock out for a night on the town, they kept asking them to say, "They're always after me Lucky Charms!" and laughed and laughed. Soon afterward, they were dirty dancing with these guys. (Yeah, the Lucky Charms guy gets every girl hot....)
Our main character's father, who came from our time and world, is perfectly fine with his 16 & 17 yr old daughters' getting their asses pinched constantly by horny midgets because it's just their way of having a good time. And, although McKale can't even bring his shy self to look Robyn in the eye for the first half of the story, he also finds it hilarious that all of these other guys are grabbing her ass. (Good times! Maybe Dad and the new hubby can even make a buck by whoring you girls out on the side.)
And, these are just a few nuggets from the book. It is so funny and ridiculous, that I actually have to recommend reading it. I have to. You will laugh - I promise.
A 17 yr old girl being betrothed to a 50 yr old Leprechaun.
Imagine this scenario, but the guy is 3 feet tall, wearing a little green suit and a tiny green hat...\
A village of Leprechauns who make shoes for the Fae because:
"they love to dance so much that they naturally wear out their shoes often and have great need for shoes."
Said village of Leprechauns are all dwarfs, except for the betrothed McKale (how convenient), who was a social outcast for being tall. They wouldn't even let him play soccer with them...
Oh, if only the book had taken this direction! I might have liked it then.
When Robyn and her sister took McKale and Rock out for a night on the town, they kept asking them to say, "They're always after me Lucky Charms!" and laughed and laughed. Soon afterward, they were dirty dancing with these guys. (Yeah, the Lucky Charms guy gets every girl hot....)
Our main character's father, who came from our time and world, is perfectly fine with his 16 & 17 yr old daughters' getting their asses pinched constantly by horny midgets because it's just their way of having a good time. And, although McKale can't even bring his shy self to look Robyn in the eye for the first half of the story, he also finds it hilarious that all of these other guys are grabbing her ass. (Good times! Maybe Dad and the new hubby can even make a buck by whoring you girls out on the side.)
And, these are just a few nuggets from the book. It is so funny and ridiculous, that I actually have to recommend reading it. I have to. You will laugh - I promise.
Want to read
January 23, 2016Another book by Wendy Higgins???!!!
Will I be reading this?
Should you read this?
Ireland! Magical Realism! Hold on while I express my excitement via dance...
Alright, I'm back. Now...is it October 2013 yet?
Will I be reading this?
Should you read this?
Ireland! Magical Realism! Hold on while I express my excitement via dance...
Alright, I'm back. Now...is it October 2013 yet?
September 17, 2014
I think I'm getting old for this kind of books. The amount of naivety, childishness and teenage giddiness in this book was just too much for me. Which is truly sad since I absolutely loved author's Sweet Trilogy and had high hopes for this story.
Dull characters with no development, shallow plotline, not enough world building. That were my biggest issues with this novel.
But what didn't work for me, may definitely work for the youngest of young adults. However, I won't be recommending this one to anyone.
Dull characters with no development, shallow plotline, not enough world building. That were my biggest issues with this novel.
But what didn't work for me, may definitely work for the youngest of young adults. However, I won't be recommending this one to anyone.
March 11, 2014
After Wendy Higgins' Sweet Evil series, I instantly fell in love with her books and her writing. I was so sad to see that series come to an end because it instantly and easily became an absolutely favorite. So when I got See Me in my hands I was so absolutely stoked to read something more by her and let me tell you it did not disappoint in the slightest! See Me is a fanciful story filled with all the elements I adore and I literally couldn't put it down.
Irish. Magic. Faeries. Oh yes, such an amazing combo! How often do we get a main boy who is not only Irish, but red-headed, extremely tall, plays a fiddle, and is adorablly shy and perfect in every way? Yeah, not so often, but that is McKale. I couldn't loved McKale more if I tried, I love how his shy demeanor morphed into strength, confidence, and sexiness. Oh and I forgot the adorable accent... unf! I want my own McKale! On his counterpart, we have Robyn Mason, who's family has been blessed with magic by the Fae. Robyn is forced to be McKales betrothed and for once, I was so happy to see a girl who is actually excited to meet her man versus rebelling. Robyn handles everything with strength and class and I don't think these two could have been a more perfect match.
More then them though, I loved all the characters we get to know... especially Rock and Cass. When I say Cassidy constantly had me laughing... it's an understatement. I just adored her and all of her outbursts and side-comments. Rock, whose real name is Ronan... like hello hotness all around. He just was another sexy and fun boy that I loved. These two together just made me smile. Then with Cass and Robyn's family I just loved them as well. The character cast was stacked to say the least.
Overall, I absolutely loved See Me and everything that came along with it. I got my fantasy world with Fae that I love getting lost in, sexy fellas, family, time to let loose, a girl I love to hate, romance, and overall a story to get lost in. Cannot wait for whatever Wendy Higgins next project will be!
Originally posted at Shortie Says
Irish. Magic. Faeries. Oh yes, such an amazing combo! How often do we get a main boy who is not only Irish, but red-headed, extremely tall, plays a fiddle, and is adorablly shy and perfect in every way? Yeah, not so often, but that is McKale. I couldn't loved McKale more if I tried, I love how his shy demeanor morphed into strength, confidence, and sexiness. Oh and I forgot the adorable accent... unf! I want my own McKale! On his counterpart, we have Robyn Mason, who's family has been blessed with magic by the Fae. Robyn is forced to be McKales betrothed and for once, I was so happy to see a girl who is actually excited to meet her man versus rebelling. Robyn handles everything with strength and class and I don't think these two could have been a more perfect match.
More then them though, I loved all the characters we get to know... especially Rock and Cass. When I say Cassidy constantly had me laughing... it's an understatement. I just adored her and all of her outbursts and side-comments. Rock, whose real name is Ronan... like hello hotness all around. He just was another sexy and fun boy that I loved. These two together just made me smile. Then with Cass and Robyn's family I just loved them as well. The character cast was stacked to say the least.
Overall, I absolutely loved See Me and everything that came along with it. I got my fantasy world with Fae that I love getting lost in, sexy fellas, family, time to let loose, a girl I love to hate, romance, and overall a story to get lost in. Cannot wait for whatever Wendy Higgins next project will be!
Originally posted at Shortie Says
April 3, 2014
1.5
I'm pretty speechless and not speechless in a good way at all. Speechless in a more, "Oh my god, this was so bad, how in the world should I start this?"
I have read my fair share of bad books, some worse than the others. In some ways, See Me probably wasnt the worst book I've read, but it isnt very high up, either.
So I am going to try and make this review as short as I can, not only because I have nothing to say, but also because nothing really happened.
Robyn -
McKale - There is no gif to describe this guy. I cant recall one memorable thing about him except that he would be the worst underwear model in history (AKA Excessive Blushing).
There was also some (highly questionable) 'character development'.
But frankly, I can't see it.
Plot - Nil .Nada. Unless your idea of a plot is:
Robyn has been betrothed to McKale for 17 years and it finally time to go and meet him (!) But when Robyn goes to meet McKale for the first time, she finds him in the evil clutches of an equally evil Faerie Princess, Kalistah. Can Robyn save McKale from Khalistah and make precious leprechaun babies with him?
This might have actually been cute if Khalistah wasn't a spoilt little brat and without all the slut-shaming. And if Robyn hadn't fallen in lurve with McKale within 2 seconds of meeting him.
This book practically gives a middle finger to folklore and mythology. This is the basic meaning of the word 'Leprechaun'-
The name comes from the Irish Gaelic word leipreachán, defined by Dinneen as "a pigmy , a sprite, a leprechaun; for luchorpán"; the latter word Dinneen defines as "a pigmy, a leprechaun; 'a kind of aqueous sprite'"; this word has also been identified as meaning "half-bodied", or "small-bodied".
'Leprechaun' clearly means short. Every single leprechaun in this book fits this description...Except for McKale.
McKale is freakishly tall (and rightly so) among the short leprechaun and is constantly embarrassed because of his height. Why? I dont know. Something about being tall is bad luck or whatever. This guy is a 6 foot tall shoemaker. There is nothing more to him. He might as well be like any other Irishman who can make shoes.
The world building is terrible. The end. There is nothing more to elaborate since there was practically nothing to start with.
Also : The irony of the title is that Robyn is a 5'11.
I'm pretty speechless and not speechless in a good way at all. Speechless in a more, "Oh my god, this was so bad, how in the world should I start this?"
I have read my fair share of bad books, some worse than the others. In some ways, See Me probably wasnt the worst book I've read, but it isnt very high up, either.
So I am going to try and make this review as short as I can, not only because I have nothing to say, but also because nothing really happened.
Robyn -
McKale - There is no gif to describe this guy. I cant recall one memorable thing about him except that he would be the worst underwear model in history (AKA Excessive Blushing).
There was also some (highly questionable) 'character development'.
But frankly, I can't see it.
Plot - Nil .Nada. Unless your idea of a plot is:
Robyn has been betrothed to McKale for 17 years and it finally time to go and meet him (!) But when Robyn goes to meet McKale for the first time, she finds him in the evil clutches of an equally evil Faerie Princess, Kalistah. Can Robyn save McKale from Khalistah and make precious leprechaun babies with him?
This might have actually been cute if Khalistah wasn't a spoilt little brat and without all the slut-shaming. And if Robyn hadn't fallen in lurve with McKale within 2 seconds of meeting him.
This book practically gives a middle finger to folklore and mythology. This is the basic meaning of the word 'Leprechaun'-
The name comes from the Irish Gaelic word leipreachán, defined by Dinneen as "a pigmy , a sprite, a leprechaun; for luchorpán"; the latter word Dinneen defines as "a pigmy, a leprechaun; 'a kind of aqueous sprite'"; this word has also been identified as meaning "half-bodied", or "small-bodied".
'Leprechaun' clearly means short. Every single leprechaun in this book fits this description...Except for McKale.
McKale is freakishly tall (and rightly so) among the short leprechaun and is constantly embarrassed because of his height. Why? I dont know. Something about being tall is bad luck or whatever. This guy is a 6 foot tall shoemaker. There is nothing more to him. He might as well be like any other Irishman who can make shoes.
The world building is terrible. The end. There is nothing more to elaborate since there was practically nothing to start with.
Also : The irony of the title is that Robyn is a 5'11.
March 19, 2014
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My Blog
Booklikes
Leprechauns will never be sexy.
Just saying it now.
Think about it:
Do you find the Lucky Charms guy sexy?
If you do that’s your prerogative. I get that there is a sizable group of people obsessed with breakfast cereal mascots. Though personally, if you’re into cereal mascots I think you could do better than Lucky.
But you can’t tell me the leprechaun in the movie that Jennifer Aniston was in before she was Jennifer Aniston was sexy. Even if he was six feet tall.
Which he was not.
That’s the sort of sexiness McKale has in this book.
First of all that name.
Have you had kale.
So not sexy.
This book wants to be sexy though. And I think that’s why it fails so utterly in its face besides the fact it involves major slut slamming. Characters who are too unrealistic to live. And it shits on Ireland at the same time by constantly saying the word shitballs (yes, and I thought sweet baby Jesus as a catch phrase was bad).
My Blog
Booklikes
Leprechauns will never be sexy.
Just saying it now.
Think about it:
Do you find the Lucky Charms guy sexy?
If you do that’s your prerogative. I get that there is a sizable group of people obsessed with breakfast cereal mascots. Though personally, if you’re into cereal mascots I think you could do better than Lucky.
But you can’t tell me the leprechaun in the movie that Jennifer Aniston was in before she was Jennifer Aniston was sexy. Even if he was six feet tall.
Which he was not.
That’s the sort of sexiness McKale has in this book.
First of all that name.
Have you had kale.
So not sexy.
This book wants to be sexy though. And I think that’s why it fails so utterly in its face besides the fact it involves major slut slamming. Characters who are too unrealistic to live. And it shits on Ireland at the same time by constantly saying the word shitballs (yes, and I thought sweet baby Jesus as a catch phrase was bad).
December 30, 2017
Terminado,la historia me ha gustado y sorprendido bastante. y Mckale me pareció muy adorable todo el libro.
¿El problema? Este libro fue digamos autopublicado o encargada la traducción por la autora para poder traerlo en español ella misma a través de amazon y tiene muchos errores (de traducción y faltas ortográficas), una pena la verdad.
¿El problema? Este libro fue digamos autopublicado o encargada la traducción por la autora para poder traerlo en español ella misma a través de amazon y tiene muchos errores (de traducción y faltas ortográficas), una pena la verdad.
September 18, 2015
Ugh. I think I deserve some new books for reading this. Sorry, just not my cup of tea tis one.
August 14, 2016
2.5 stars
I can never resist a story about Fae. ☺
See Me is one of those books that I usually have trouble rating. It was light and easy to read, and certainly entertaining at some points. But at the same time it should have a warning on the very first page: “Suspend your disbelief, ye who enter here.” If you can do just that and don’t think too much about what you are reading, you’ll be fine. But once you start to analyze it, it might get tricky to enjoy the book.
So, See Me is a story about a girl Robyn Mason. Born into a family who work for the Fae in the human realm, and by some strange unlucky coincidence that happened in the past, Robyn has to marry the world’s only normal-sized Leprechaun who she has never seen before in her life. Right upon finishing high school, with the sole purpose to save the old bloodlines from extinction by making babies ASAP. Excuse me, WHAT?
Needless to say that this whole arrangement could have been avoided, had her parents thought to hire a babysitter that one day and not take their newborn daughter with them to Faery.
The book is set in the modern world, but Robyn is not your average modern teenager at all. She is actually looking forward to this arranged marriage with a stranger and is not rebelling in the least. Somehow I find it hard to believe such a laid-back attitude. Yes, she knows her parents and sister would be in mortal danger from the Fae if she failed to do what she had to, but still. I expected, perhaps, some trace of resentment towards her family and fate (like Nyx from Cruel Beauty had, but not necessarily to that extent). It would only be natural, because she didn’t get to choose it, and no one asked her if she actually wanted any babies at such a young age. This whole concept just screams BREEDING at me. I know I would have freaked out big time. Maybe Robyn was so accepting of her situation because she had been conditioned into thinking it was okay, but it doesn’t make it easier for me to relate to her character at all.
Then there is McKale, the only human-sized Leprechaun of 50 years old. Don’t be scared with his ripe age, though, because you would never have guessed it by his demeanor, and Leprechauns live long lives of about 1000 years anyway, so he is practically a baby. McKale acts like a shy 14-year-old boy who has never been around a girl in all his life. Robyn practically has to chase after him to make him really “see her” and like her. This "chase" takes up most of the plot, except for the part where a FFG aka Freaky Fae Girl wants to steal out hottie McKale all to herself. Okaaay.
I liked reading about the Leprechaun clan, they are funny little folk. I just don’t understand why they had to be detached from the human world so much that they never leave their village at all. Was it necessary? Weren’t they even the least bit curious about human civilization and the commodities it brings? Like indoor plumbing and technical devices. It must be terribly boring to live in the same place doing the same things for hundreds of years without any change.
Perhaps my review is a little bit harsh, so don't think it was a bad book entirely. You may enjoy it if you can suspend your disbelief to a great degree and think of this story as a cute fairy-tale rather than something that happens in the modern world.
I can never resist a story about Fae. ☺
See Me is one of those books that I usually have trouble rating. It was light and easy to read, and certainly entertaining at some points. But at the same time it should have a warning on the very first page: “Suspend your disbelief, ye who enter here.” If you can do just that and don’t think too much about what you are reading, you’ll be fine. But once you start to analyze it, it might get tricky to enjoy the book.
So, See Me is a story about a girl Robyn Mason. Born into a family who work for the Fae in the human realm, and by some strange unlucky coincidence that happened in the past, Robyn has to marry the world’s only normal-sized Leprechaun who she has never seen before in her life. Right upon finishing high school, with the sole purpose to save the old bloodlines from extinction by making babies ASAP. Excuse me, WHAT?
Needless to say that this whole arrangement could have been avoided, had her parents thought to hire a babysitter that one day and not take their newborn daughter with them to Faery.
The book is set in the modern world, but Robyn is not your average modern teenager at all. She is actually looking forward to this arranged marriage with a stranger and is not rebelling in the least. Somehow I find it hard to believe such a laid-back attitude. Yes, she knows her parents and sister would be in mortal danger from the Fae if she failed to do what she had to, but still. I expected, perhaps, some trace of resentment towards her family and fate (like Nyx from Cruel Beauty had, but not necessarily to that extent). It would only be natural, because she didn’t get to choose it, and no one asked her if she actually wanted any babies at such a young age. This whole concept just screams BREEDING at me. I know I would have freaked out big time. Maybe Robyn was so accepting of her situation because she had been conditioned into thinking it was okay, but it doesn’t make it easier for me to relate to her character at all.
Then there is McKale, the only human-sized Leprechaun of 50 years old. Don’t be scared with his ripe age, though, because you would never have guessed it by his demeanor, and Leprechauns live long lives of about 1000 years anyway, so he is practically a baby. McKale acts like a shy 14-year-old boy who has never been around a girl in all his life. Robyn practically has to chase after him to make him really “see her” and like her. This "chase" takes up most of the plot, except for the part where a FFG aka Freaky Fae Girl wants to steal out hottie McKale all to herself. Okaaay.
I liked reading about the Leprechaun clan, they are funny little folk. I just don’t understand why they had to be detached from the human world so much that they never leave their village at all. Was it necessary? Weren’t they even the least bit curious about human civilization and the commodities it brings? Like indoor plumbing and technical devices. It must be terribly boring to live in the same place doing the same things for hundreds of years without any change.
Perhaps my review is a little bit harsh, so don't think it was a bad book entirely. You may enjoy it if you can suspend your disbelief to a great degree and think of this story as a cute fairy-tale rather than something that happens in the modern world.
March 21, 2014
The first thing I want to say is me giving out a "5" star review is HUGE! I don't give them out lightly like some do. They actually mean something to me and to the person who is receiving it.
I am SO glad that Wendy decided to release this book! I have never read a paranormal book that had leprechauns and such in it. But because I love Wendy's writing, I decided to give it a whirl. I am really glad I did. This was a really good story! I don't like to give too much information out because I feel it can ruin it for other readers. It's really hard to tell you about this one in particular without doing just that. With that said, let's see if I can do this without spoiling it for anyone:
The Mason's family has magic in their blood and a commitment to fulfill. Robyn Mason has been entered into an arrange marriage that was planned shortly after her birth. While most would be against such a thing, Robyn is the opposite and quite excited about meeting her betrothed, McKale, who resides in Ireland. However, when she finally gets to Ireland and meets everyone, she is thrown for a loop. (Or should I say loops?)
McKale's thoughts on the arranged marriage has always been a duty for his clan. Along with the way he was brought up and treated, he can't believe or even hope that happiness could ever come from such an agreement.
Then there is the Fae and especially the Fae Princess, Khalistah, who has her eyes on McKale. She has no intention of allowing Robyn to interfere with what she wants. Because, as she has always had in the past, what she wants, she will have!
There is laughter, fear, anger, sadness and yes, even love that you will read about and feel while you go through the trials, adventures and such with Robyn,McKale and their families and friends.
I truly hope there is a sequel or even just a novella about Cass, Robyn's sister. Cass will also steal your heart away in this story and for her to get her own story would be awesome! (You hear us all asking for this Wendy?!!) :-)
I highly recommend this story.
I am SO glad that Wendy decided to release this book! I have never read a paranormal book that had leprechauns and such in it. But because I love Wendy's writing, I decided to give it a whirl. I am really glad I did. This was a really good story! I don't like to give too much information out because I feel it can ruin it for other readers. It's really hard to tell you about this one in particular without doing just that. With that said, let's see if I can do this without spoiling it for anyone:
The Mason's family has magic in their blood and a commitment to fulfill. Robyn Mason has been entered into an arrange marriage that was planned shortly after her birth. While most would be against such a thing, Robyn is the opposite and quite excited about meeting her betrothed, McKale, who resides in Ireland. However, when she finally gets to Ireland and meets everyone, she is thrown for a loop. (Or should I say loops?)
McKale's thoughts on the arranged marriage has always been a duty for his clan. Along with the way he was brought up and treated, he can't believe or even hope that happiness could ever come from such an agreement.
Then there is the Fae and especially the Fae Princess, Khalistah, who has her eyes on McKale. She has no intention of allowing Robyn to interfere with what she wants. Because, as she has always had in the past, what she wants, she will have!
There is laughter, fear, anger, sadness and yes, even love that you will read about and feel while you go through the trials, adventures and such with Robyn,McKale and their families and friends.
I truly hope there is a sequel or even just a novella about Cass, Robyn's sister. Cass will also steal your heart away in this story and for her to get her own story would be awesome! (You hear us all asking for this Wendy?!!) :-)
I highly recommend this story.
April 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this one. The romance was so genuine, and I was so nervous for both couples by the end! A great read.
March 20, 2014
REVIEW WITH SPOILERS
Who would have thought that Leprechauns could be sexy. The book tells the story of Robyn, a 17-year old girl who is part of a family that possess magical powers. Her family has been in the service of the Fae for generations. They don't like it, but it's not like they can give their two weeks notice to the Fae without serious repercussions. Like being cursed or taken into the Fae to be a plaything.
Thanks to a meddling Fae woman, the consort of the Summer King, Robyn has been promised when she was a baby to McKale, the Leprechaun's best hope for the survival of their clan. Contrary to what the majority of girls her age would think about such an arrangement, Robyn is actually excited about her future. Until her mom finally tells her that McKale is a Leprechaun. You could understand her distress. Leprechauns are little people and Robyn is 5 foot 9.
But soon the problem vanishes when Robyn finally arrives in the peculiar Leprechaun village in Ireland, and finds out that McKale is the only normal sized Leprechaun. He is actually taller than her and good looking too. Lucky girl!
When McKale learns that their engagement was arranged by the Fae, he really doesn't believe Robyn actually likes him. The chap is quite insecure. To make matters worse, a Fae princess has taken an interest in him and won't go down without a fight. And we all that the Fae don't fight fair.
Overall, this was a very cute story. I liked all the characters, especially Cassidy, Robyn's sister, and Rock, McKale's friend. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because what happened to Cassidy and Rock at the end was BS. I was so mad. Wendy must write a sequel and fix the mess she created for them. There is definitely enough material to write another book. If she does, then I'll come back and add another star to my rating.
Who would have thought that Leprechauns could be sexy. The book tells the story of Robyn, a 17-year old girl who is part of a family that possess magical powers. Her family has been in the service of the Fae for generations. They don't like it, but it's not like they can give their two weeks notice to the Fae without serious repercussions. Like being cursed or taken into the Fae to be a plaything.
Thanks to a meddling Fae woman, the consort of the Summer King, Robyn has been promised when she was a baby to McKale, the Leprechaun's best hope for the survival of their clan. Contrary to what the majority of girls her age would think about such an arrangement, Robyn is actually excited about her future. Until her mom finally tells her that McKale is a Leprechaun. You could understand her distress. Leprechauns are little people and Robyn is 5 foot 9.
But soon the problem vanishes when Robyn finally arrives in the peculiar Leprechaun village in Ireland, and finds out that McKale is the only normal sized Leprechaun. He is actually taller than her and good looking too. Lucky girl!
When McKale learns that their engagement was arranged by the Fae, he really doesn't believe Robyn actually likes him. The chap is quite insecure. To make matters worse, a Fae princess has taken an interest in him and won't go down without a fight. And we all that the Fae don't fight fair.
Overall, this was a very cute story. I liked all the characters, especially Cassidy, Robyn's sister, and Rock, McKale's friend. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because what happened to Cassidy and Rock at the end was BS. I was so mad. Wendy must write a sequel and fix the mess she created for them. There is definitely enough material to write another book. If she does, then I'll come back and add another star to my rating.
February 19, 2017
Reakce po docteni: Prosim, sejmete me hooooodne tvrdym kokosem, abych zapomnela. Diky!
March 20, 2014
I'm so happy with this book.
First, the author is the sweet and incredibly talented Wendy Higgings, the story is refreshing and original, the characters are great and you have awesome protagonists.
I confess books with arranged marriages/bondings/matings hold a certain appeal to me, so that is part of why I loved this book. But it takes more than that.
I hate it when one or both characters make a mess of everything, by acting all defiant and keeping treating the other like trash or refusing to show the white flag, making their lives a living hell.
I get it that you would prefer to choose the person with whom you'll spend your entire life. I also understand that if you know the other person is worthless, you're not okay with being with her. I can totally understand that, if you're young and your 'betrothed' is a disgusting old hag, you'll want to run for the hills.
But when you see the other person is decent and, dare I say, attractive (at least to you), it seems to me that wasting your time being angsty and miserable instead of making the most of it is just stupid.
I'm so glad Robyn, our heroine, didn't do that. She accepted the idea she was going to be bound to McKale, the hero, from a very young age, hoped that everything would go for the best and, in time, proceed to make the most of her situation.
She fought for McKale and for a chance at happiness with everything she had and I can't not admire her for that..
It wasn't easy. Not at all. She fought McKale himself, who didn't really believe she felt more than obligation towards him, she fought her own insecurities and she fought Khalistah, the fae princess who wanted Kale for a plaything. And she got her HEA.
McKale was a great character too. I loved the fact that he wasn't the sexy bad boy we all love *cough* KAI *cough*
He was an introvert. He was shy and not very confident, at least in the beginning. But when he let himself go he showed his inner sex beast. LMAO
I was pissed with the hold Khalistah had on him. Poor Robyn! He really led her on a merry chase.
But fortunately, he opened up his eyes and really saw who was there beside him. Robyn, who always wanted him. Robyn, who really loved him. Robyn, who was just waiting for him to really see her and understand all of this. Hence the title, 'See Me'.
And now they'll proceed to have lots and lots of babies and live blissfully among the little people.
March 28, 2014
I'm a biased reviewer--Wendy Higgins is one of my favorite writers--but I found her because of her Sweet Trilogy and the bias is earned.
This story is a quick read, because it's hard to put down.
Written in first person, the journey takes place through the eyes of of Robyn, the lead character. The story is charming--with Robyn we venture into the timeless land of the Chaun, which means traditional sex roles and no electronics. A hit for me, since I love reading historical novels, which are similar.
Robyn is forced to battle the Faer folk to protect the marriage she was forced into (by the Faer folk) as an infant. It makes for an excellent story with plenty of fun and excitement. Higgins weaves in laugh out loud humor, romance, and a touch of steaminess.
This story is a quick read, because it's hard to put down.
Written in first person, the journey takes place through the eyes of of Robyn, the lead character. The story is charming--with Robyn we venture into the timeless land of the Chaun, which means traditional sex roles and no electronics. A hit for me, since I love reading historical novels, which are similar.
Robyn is forced to battle the Faer folk to protect the marriage she was forced into (by the Faer folk) as an infant. It makes for an excellent story with plenty of fun and excitement. Higgins weaves in laugh out loud humor, romance, and a touch of steaminess.
May 20, 2015
So you know the way I’m writing this review? I’m sitting in Dublin, Ireland, as I write this, but these words can be read from most countries in the world. You have to admit, that’s kind of deadly. We don’t live in isolated communities anymore, we live in a world where in some ways, distance doesn’t mean a huge amount. People in Australia can read this as soon as I hit send. Back only one hundred and fifty years ago, getting information to Australia could take months and months and months. It’s amazing.
It’s also handy for research when you’re writing a story. Look at Shakespeare. He was writing stories about Verona, but just writing it like it was the England he’d always grown up in, because he didn’t have access to any of the research materials we have today. Travel was so much harder. If I want to write a story about a group of people in inner city Los Angeles, I can find information on the internet, like the history of the place and slang people use and how people live. I can find the streets on Google Maps and walk down them to get a feel for the place. I can find people from inner city LA online, and ask them about their experiences, learn what it’s like from the real people’s points of view, show them my story and ask if I got anything wrong. It might lack some authenthicity, but I’ll have made an effort, and that’s worth something.
Which is why this book was so shite. It basically just took Irish mythology and culture and shit all over it, because it relied on old tired stereotypes instead of making any sort of attempt at real research. The amount of things this book got wrong was embarrassing. Like the accents, holy shit. Never use phonetic accents in books. It’s insulting. Why is my accent never seen as correct enough to write down normally? Lots of English people don’t say their ‘r’s, but you don’t write an English accent down as “They aw unable to say theh lettehs cuhectly.” Americans kind of draw out their vowel sounds, but you don’t write that out. “I cain’t tawk rait, okaiy?” So why do Irish accents get written out phonetically?
If it had been a proper Irish accent, I might have at least forgiven it. But it’s not. It consistently used ‘ye’, without actually knowing what it means. ‘Ye’ is the plural form of ‘you’, pronounced ‘yee’ and used mainly by culchies, which is Irish slang for a country person. Dublin people like myself don’t say ‘ye’. We say ‘yous’ or ‘yis’ instead. The key bits there being it’s plural. So it’s incorrect to use it when a character is speaking in the singular.
Also, it used the old Hollywood Irish form of words, the reduplication and that. It’s a thing, to an extent, but not the way fake Irish accents present it. The novel never once got into real quirks in the Irish accent- things like ‘I do be doing stuff’ or ‘amn’t’. How handy is ‘amn’t’ and its cousin, ‘amn’t I not?’ And ‘giving out’? How other countries survive without that expression (which means both to scold and to bitch about) is beyond me.
And, just to really annoy me, it didn’t even have the courtesy to use any kind of Irish slang. It was all British stuff- git and blimey were used, but none of the wonderful slang words invented by the Irish. With the exception of gobshite, which got used once. I mean, I’ll give the novel credit for using gobshite, but it wasn’t used anywhere near as often as Irish people actually use it.
Irish slang is amazing, and because of stupid fake Irish accents, it’s completely unknown outside of here. But how fecking brilliant is the word gobshite? It means idiot, and gets the point across wonderfully. And fecking, which is sort of like fucking, but not as harsh. Also, it means ‘throw’ instead of ‘have sex with’, but it’s the same in every other context. Eejit also means idiot, that’s another good one. And spanner, which is another word for idiot. I’m not sure if we just have a lot of words for idiot, or if idiot is a word I associate with this novel.
The story might have made some attempt to justify why the accent was all wrong, by saying the accent sounded like it did hundreds of years ago, because it sounded different from the other Irish people they heard. I’m more inclined to say they heard a Dublin accent first, when they landed in Dublin airport, and then heard a more rural accent, if anything. And even culchies don’t speak like that. Anyway, the more important fact is that the Irish accent is not as old as you’d think. It’s kind of complicated, but basically most people were speaking Irish only a century or two ago. So there wasn’t really a Hiberno English accent, because it wasn’t people’s native tongue.
If the leprechauns were speaking an old accent, they would be speaking a form more closely linked to the Irish language, which would include the quirks I mentioned above. Giving out would be used constantly, and actually- stall the ball, why do they not speak Irish? If they’re so backwards, it’s a bit odd that they speak English.
Which means, no, these people are not speaking an old form of the accent, the author just got it all wrong and tried to justify it in a way that highlighted her lack of research. Seriously, two seconds on Wikipedia looking up Hiberno-Irish would get you that.
Other random shit
The mother is Irish born. So of course she gets drunk as soon as she gets on the plane. How could she be a self-respecting Irish person and also be sober? Lol, I’m locked out of my bleeding mind as I write this, haven’t been sober since I was two. No, hang on, that’s a bit racist.
Speaking of drink, they mention moonshine at one point. Which is called poitín in Ireland. If you’re going to stereotype the Irish as big drinkers, at least get the terminology right.
Robyn wears flip-flops. In a fucking forest. She also wears shorts constantly with these flip-flops and goes swimming in her underwear. In Ireland. I’m a bit of a freak, who doesn’t feel the cold that much, but seriously, even I’d wear more than that. We are a cold country. People from warmer countries will feel the cold even more. I just burst out laughing when it said she was in flip-flops. Seriously, how stupid is she?
The instruments that are mentioned is another research fail. It mentions flutes and tin whistles and fiddles. Forgets to mention other instruments, less famous abroad, but equally important and well known here, such as the bodhrán, and the uillean pipes. I’m not expecting an American girl to know the names of these instruments, but all the writer had to do was mention a drum and something that looked like bagpipes, and I’d have been satisfied. Again, we’re relying on stereotypes here.
Oh, and Robyn is a hypocrite. She looks down on the leprechauns for having a stigma against tall people, when she’s the one who worried about marrying a shorter man in the first chapter. Some people are small. Sometimes it’s just because they’re short, othertimes it’s because they have a condition such as dwarfism. It shouldn’t matter. Robyn’s just as prejudiced as they are, but she’s too stupid to see it. I'm not even going to get into how McKale being conveniently the only tall leprechaun is ridiculous because it's self-explanatory.
And just in the summary, please don't call a real life country whimsical. It's just insulting to us all.
Finally, what the fecking hell sort of stupid name was McKale? A bleeding vegetable? I know some people in America like to call their kids names that start with Mc. Mackenzie, for instance. But it just isn’t really done here, and on those rare occasions when it is done here, it’s based off modern American naming patterns. It’s not something that was traditionally done, because it’s a surname. ‘Mc’ means ‘son of’, by the way, and so technically, if these people are so traditional, McKale’s dad should have been called Kale. Which isn’t an Irish name, but whatever.
Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe I’m just oversensitive to the sheer amount of times Ireland is misrepresented in foreign media. I dunno. I mean, it just annoys me that it’s so easy to do the research, but nobody is bothered to actually do it. If you want your story to be serious, then take a bit of time to Google the country you’re writing about, and make an effort to write properly. Otherwise, just embrace the stupidity and at least make it funny, eg-
Pilot-Welcome to Ireland. We'll be landing in five minutes.
Peter- This is quite a country, Brian. You know, Ireland has more drunks per capita than people.
Brian-That's a negative stereotype.I don't think the Irish drink as much as people say they do.
*Plane lands in a massive pile of beer bottles*
Shit, that one scene is written better than this entire book.
It’s also handy for research when you’re writing a story. Look at Shakespeare. He was writing stories about Verona, but just writing it like it was the England he’d always grown up in, because he didn’t have access to any of the research materials we have today. Travel was so much harder. If I want to write a story about a group of people in inner city Los Angeles, I can find information on the internet, like the history of the place and slang people use and how people live. I can find the streets on Google Maps and walk down them to get a feel for the place. I can find people from inner city LA online, and ask them about their experiences, learn what it’s like from the real people’s points of view, show them my story and ask if I got anything wrong. It might lack some authenthicity, but I’ll have made an effort, and that’s worth something.
Which is why this book was so shite. It basically just took Irish mythology and culture and shit all over it, because it relied on old tired stereotypes instead of making any sort of attempt at real research. The amount of things this book got wrong was embarrassing. Like the accents, holy shit. Never use phonetic accents in books. It’s insulting. Why is my accent never seen as correct enough to write down normally? Lots of English people don’t say their ‘r’s, but you don’t write an English accent down as “They aw unable to say theh lettehs cuhectly.” Americans kind of draw out their vowel sounds, but you don’t write that out. “I cain’t tawk rait, okaiy?” So why do Irish accents get written out phonetically?
If it had been a proper Irish accent, I might have at least forgiven it. But it’s not. It consistently used ‘ye’, without actually knowing what it means. ‘Ye’ is the plural form of ‘you’, pronounced ‘yee’ and used mainly by culchies, which is Irish slang for a country person. Dublin people like myself don’t say ‘ye’. We say ‘yous’ or ‘yis’ instead. The key bits there being it’s plural. So it’s incorrect to use it when a character is speaking in the singular.
Also, it used the old Hollywood Irish form of words, the reduplication and that. It’s a thing, to an extent, but not the way fake Irish accents present it. The novel never once got into real quirks in the Irish accent- things like ‘I do be doing stuff’ or ‘amn’t’. How handy is ‘amn’t’ and its cousin, ‘amn’t I not?’ And ‘giving out’? How other countries survive without that expression (which means both to scold and to bitch about) is beyond me.
And, just to really annoy me, it didn’t even have the courtesy to use any kind of Irish slang. It was all British stuff- git and blimey were used, but none of the wonderful slang words invented by the Irish. With the exception of gobshite, which got used once. I mean, I’ll give the novel credit for using gobshite, but it wasn’t used anywhere near as often as Irish people actually use it.
Irish slang is amazing, and because of stupid fake Irish accents, it’s completely unknown outside of here. But how fecking brilliant is the word gobshite? It means idiot, and gets the point across wonderfully. And fecking, which is sort of like fucking, but not as harsh. Also, it means ‘throw’ instead of ‘have sex with’, but it’s the same in every other context. Eejit also means idiot, that’s another good one. And spanner, which is another word for idiot. I’m not sure if we just have a lot of words for idiot, or if idiot is a word I associate with this novel.
The story might have made some attempt to justify why the accent was all wrong, by saying the accent sounded like it did hundreds of years ago, because it sounded different from the other Irish people they heard. I’m more inclined to say they heard a Dublin accent first, when they landed in Dublin airport, and then heard a more rural accent, if anything. And even culchies don’t speak like that. Anyway, the more important fact is that the Irish accent is not as old as you’d think. It’s kind of complicated, but basically most people were speaking Irish only a century or two ago. So there wasn’t really a Hiberno English accent, because it wasn’t people’s native tongue.
If the leprechauns were speaking an old accent, they would be speaking a form more closely linked to the Irish language, which would include the quirks I mentioned above. Giving out would be used constantly, and actually- stall the ball, why do they not speak Irish? If they’re so backwards, it’s a bit odd that they speak English.
Which means, no, these people are not speaking an old form of the accent, the author just got it all wrong and tried to justify it in a way that highlighted her lack of research. Seriously, two seconds on Wikipedia looking up Hiberno-Irish would get you that.
Other random shit
The mother is Irish born. So of course she gets drunk as soon as she gets on the plane. How could she be a self-respecting Irish person and also be sober? Lol, I’m locked out of my bleeding mind as I write this, haven’t been sober since I was two. No, hang on, that’s a bit racist.
Speaking of drink, they mention moonshine at one point. Which is called poitín in Ireland. If you’re going to stereotype the Irish as big drinkers, at least get the terminology right.
Robyn wears flip-flops. In a fucking forest. She also wears shorts constantly with these flip-flops and goes swimming in her underwear. In Ireland. I’m a bit of a freak, who doesn’t feel the cold that much, but seriously, even I’d wear more than that. We are a cold country. People from warmer countries will feel the cold even more. I just burst out laughing when it said she was in flip-flops. Seriously, how stupid is she?
The instruments that are mentioned is another research fail. It mentions flutes and tin whistles and fiddles. Forgets to mention other instruments, less famous abroad, but equally important and well known here, such as the bodhrán, and the uillean pipes. I’m not expecting an American girl to know the names of these instruments, but all the writer had to do was mention a drum and something that looked like bagpipes, and I’d have been satisfied. Again, we’re relying on stereotypes here.
Oh, and Robyn is a hypocrite. She looks down on the leprechauns for having a stigma against tall people, when she’s the one who worried about marrying a shorter man in the first chapter. Some people are small. Sometimes it’s just because they’re short, othertimes it’s because they have a condition such as dwarfism. It shouldn’t matter. Robyn’s just as prejudiced as they are, but she’s too stupid to see it. I'm not even going to get into how McKale being conveniently the only tall leprechaun is ridiculous because it's self-explanatory.
And just in the summary, please don't call a real life country whimsical. It's just insulting to us all.
Finally, what the fecking hell sort of stupid name was McKale? A bleeding vegetable? I know some people in America like to call their kids names that start with Mc. Mackenzie, for instance. But it just isn’t really done here, and on those rare occasions when it is done here, it’s based off modern American naming patterns. It’s not something that was traditionally done, because it’s a surname. ‘Mc’ means ‘son of’, by the way, and so technically, if these people are so traditional, McKale’s dad should have been called Kale. Which isn’t an Irish name, but whatever.
Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe I’m just oversensitive to the sheer amount of times Ireland is misrepresented in foreign media. I dunno. I mean, it just annoys me that it’s so easy to do the research, but nobody is bothered to actually do it. If you want your story to be serious, then take a bit of time to Google the country you’re writing about, and make an effort to write properly. Otherwise, just embrace the stupidity and at least make it funny, eg-
Pilot-Welcome to Ireland. We'll be landing in five minutes.
Peter- This is quite a country, Brian. You know, Ireland has more drunks per capita than people.
Brian-That's a negative stereotype.I don't think the Irish drink as much as people say they do.
*Plane lands in a massive pile of beer bottles*
Shit, that one scene is written better than this entire book.
June 23, 2015
3 Stars
This book is pretty cute. But still it has a lot of problems - a LOT of problems. What this book really needed was an editor, which it didn't have. Due to the fact that this book was self published all it had for the refining push was a bunch of beta readers which just doesn't equate an editor. So that is this books largest failing for sure. But otherwise this book is a light fun read.
Cover Thoughts:
Original Cover: Not feeling the love. To me it just looks like a Kristen Stewart lying in a moss field.
New Cover: Love it! The art is so nicely done and the colors are gorgeous - I'm so glad I own this version!
Characters:
Robyn was okay I guess as an MC. A little too bit of a goody two shoes in my opinion but she really didn't greatly offend or anger me. She wasn't horribly stupid but she was very immature which got annoying some time. And the fact that she cries. A lot. But you know given her situation I can't really blame her. Also she seemed a bit to hung up on boys - or one boy to be specific. It's like "Gurl, think of something else for a change". But overall she was just "Meh".
McKale(or Kale for short) name is horrible. It has to be said. I don't want to have to think about a vegetable whenever I read the love interest's name. Is it to much to ask for the guy to have a normal name? I guess so. Anyway I thought McKale was . . . cute? I guess? Again I really didn't have too many feelings toward this guy. One thing for sure though he was so annoyingly fickle. Make up your fucking mind about something won't you? Also cut the shy act out - it's not attractive. But I didn't hate him. I dunno.
Cassie, Robyn's sister was by far my favorite character(anyone who says "flying shitballs" is a friend of mine). She was spunky and bold, never holding anything back. I'm excited for her book(Remember Me) which will be coming out later this year.
Cassie's love interest Rock(AKA Ronan) I liked . . . until the ending. Dude better get his shit together for the next book.
World Building: Fairly mediocre(like most things in this book). It wasn't very heavily elaborated on which left me want more - a lot more. And plus what was explained was rather cliche and unoriginal. Which is very disappointing because I found the author's other series Sweet Evil to have a lot of world building and originality which this one simply lacked.
Overall: A sweet little fantasy romance which is light and fun to read. Not the best but certainly not the worst.
Sexual Content:
Language: Shit, bitch, hell, damn etc.
Violence: Mild.
Enjoy!
Please like and comment.
This book is pretty cute. But still it has a lot of problems - a LOT of problems. What this book really needed was an editor, which it didn't have. Due to the fact that this book was self published all it had for the refining push was a bunch of beta readers which just doesn't equate an editor. So that is this books largest failing for sure. But otherwise this book is a light fun read.
Cover Thoughts:
Original Cover: Not feeling the love. To me it just looks like a Kristen Stewart lying in a moss field.
New Cover: Love it! The art is so nicely done and the colors are gorgeous - I'm so glad I own this version!
Characters:
Robyn was okay I guess as an MC. A little too bit of a goody two shoes in my opinion but she really didn't greatly offend or anger me. She wasn't horribly stupid but she was very immature which got annoying some time. And the fact that she cries. A lot. But you know given her situation I can't really blame her. Also she seemed a bit to hung up on boys - or one boy to be specific. It's like "Gurl, think of something else for a change". But overall she was just "Meh".
McKale(or Kale for short) name is horrible. It has to be said. I don't want to have to think about a vegetable whenever I read the love interest's name. Is it to much to ask for the guy to have a normal name? I guess so. Anyway I thought McKale was . . . cute? I guess? Again I really didn't have too many feelings toward this guy. One thing for sure though he was so annoyingly fickle. Make up your fucking mind about something won't you? Also cut the shy act out - it's not attractive. But I didn't hate him. I dunno.
Cassie, Robyn's sister was by far my favorite character(anyone who says "flying shitballs" is a friend of mine). She was spunky and bold, never holding anything back. I'm excited for her book(Remember Me) which will be coming out later this year.
Cassie's love interest Rock(AKA Ronan) I liked . . . until the ending. Dude better get his shit together for the next book.
World Building: Fairly mediocre(like most things in this book). It wasn't very heavily elaborated on which left me want more - a lot more. And plus what was explained was rather cliche and unoriginal. Which is very disappointing because I found the author's other series Sweet Evil to have a lot of world building and originality which this one simply lacked.
Overall: A sweet little fantasy romance which is light and fun to read. Not the best but certainly not the worst.
Sexual Content:
Language: Shit, bitch, hell, damn etc.
Violence: Mild.
Enjoy!
Please like and comment.
March 22, 2014
DNF at 60%
2 STARS
I was hugely disappointed by this. I expected Wendy Higgins Sweet Evil levels of awesomeness. What I got was a very young YA disaster.
Warning bells started going off in my head long before chapter one even ended. Because Robyn must be the only girl this side of the feminist movement who is looking forward to an arranged marriage. To a guy who lives in the freaking Shire.
By the time we met McKale, the only tall hot leprachaun probably in the history of leprechaun stories who despite his hotness, is a 50-year-old virgin, I was checking to make sure this was actually written by Wendy Higgins, author extraordinaire.
I think I would have enjoyed this (slightly) more if McKale had a bit more personality. Hell, I probably would have added half a star even if he was an arrogant prick. As it was, he had about as much personality as a fourteen-year-old boy in that awkward stage of puberty who has never met a girl before in his life. Did I mention he’s actually fifty years old?
The villain was laughable. She was like a cartoon character. The secondary characters? Cookie cutter, apart from the sister, Cassidy who had a very inconsistent personalty.
I made it to 60% only by convincing myself this would get better. But it just didn't.
2 STARS
I was hugely disappointed by this. I expected Wendy Higgins Sweet Evil levels of awesomeness. What I got was a very young YA disaster.
Warning bells started going off in my head long before chapter one even ended. Because Robyn must be the only girl this side of the feminist movement who is looking forward to an arranged marriage. To a guy who lives in the freaking Shire.
By the time we met McKale, the only tall hot leprachaun probably in the history of leprechaun stories who despite his hotness, is a 50-year-old virgin, I was checking to make sure this was actually written by Wendy Higgins, author extraordinaire.
I think I would have enjoyed this (slightly) more if McKale had a bit more personality. Hell, I probably would have added half a star even if he was an arrogant prick. As it was, he had about as much personality as a fourteen-year-old boy in that awkward stage of puberty who has never met a girl before in his life. Did I mention he’s actually fifty years old?
The villain was laughable. She was like a cartoon character. The secondary characters? Cookie cutter, apart from the sister, Cassidy who had a very inconsistent personalty.
I made it to 60% only by convincing myself this would get better. But it just didn't.
July 7, 2013
I beta read this book and I just loved it so much. It's everything that YA has been missing in a MC and a love interest. One of the sweetest love stories I've ever read. Magical realism with a dash of fantasy. Loved it so much.
January 27, 2016
oooooh this was an awesome book!! way to go wendy higgins!! you rock i mean srsly ? leprechauns?? i am in love with a leprechaun!!! (srsly never thought id say that!!!)
June 24, 2022
Wendy Higgins' See Me is a quirky and cute tale with sprinkles of imaginative Irish folklore embedded into the plot. While it is certainly not a perfect story, it is one that is entertaining and fun to read regardless.
Ever since she was young, Robyn has known that when she turns 18 she'll be shipped off to Ireland to marry the mysterious McKale, something that was prearranged when she was an infant. What she doesn't know is that McKale is actually a leprechaun, and that their arranged marriage may be the only way to keep both them and their families safe as the fae come searching for vengeance...
While the world-building here was a tad lacking, I still enjoyed reading about the engrossing world Higgins created. It's impossible not to find yourself transported to the beautiful, lush greens of Ireland and into the heart of the joyful and playful leprechaun society.
Despite how creative it was, though, I was left with several questions about Higgins' world that I never really felt were answered sufficiently.
• Why is the leprechaun society so afraid of the fae?Robyn is our protagonist here, and I found to be decent enough. She's much like your typical fantasy protagonist - a bit naive about the situation she's in, with a special destiny she knows nothing about. Her optimism and intelligence definitely made me admire her, however.
• Why do they insist on living like they're in the Medieval era - especially considering all they have to do is just travel to the next town over to get some modern-day technology?
Her romance with McKale was something I really enjoyed. The way it developed was realistic and adorable, and I loved seeing them both blossom as they realized their true feelings for each other.
One thing that annoyed me continually was McKale's height. Despite being a leprechaun, somehow he has an abnormality that makes him a normal height. What's the point of having leprechauns in a story if one of them is 6 feet tall?
As someone who has an affinity for leprechauns and anything Irish, this was very close to satisfying my dream to visit the beautiful Emerald Isle. While it had its flaws, it is still an entertaining read nonetheless.
August 3, 2016
First BETA read from 9-11th August 2013.
See Me Review on K-Books
See Me was one of those books that I couldn't wait to read as soon as I heard about it. I was very lucky to BETA read this one for Wendy way back before it was published and I loved it so much back then. At the time Wendy decided to put the book on hold so when I heard she was publishing it I was so beyond excited. I knew everyone would love this book and the final copy has sat on my shelf for so long. Considering I am meeting Wendy this summer, I decided it was the perfect time to dust off my copy and re-read it.
See Me is a book set in Ireland and it involves all kinds of mystical creatures like Fae and Leprachauns... yes, you heard that right Leprachauns. Before reading this book I probably would have said Leprachauns... well I don't think that's my kind of book... but it is. Oh. My. God. It is. I absolutely adored this book. It was fanatstic and I couldn't put the book down from start to finish.
Wendy's writing is just so enamouring. Every book she has wrote I have loved. I have picked it up and within a couple of chapters have been unable to put it down... this one was no different. I was taken to a world of magic with a backdrop of the beautiful country of Ireland and with the characters going-ons I just couldn't put it down.
I loved everything about this book. The fun storyline, the characters and the magic. I am seriously dying for Wendy to write a sequel to this book as I just adore it. It's so amazing and addictive. If you want a fast-paced fun read then this is the book for you. It is not to be missed. I loved every moment of it!
See Me Review on K-Books
See Me was one of those books that I couldn't wait to read as soon as I heard about it. I was very lucky to BETA read this one for Wendy way back before it was published and I loved it so much back then. At the time Wendy decided to put the book on hold so when I heard she was publishing it I was so beyond excited. I knew everyone would love this book and the final copy has sat on my shelf for so long. Considering I am meeting Wendy this summer, I decided it was the perfect time to dust off my copy and re-read it.
See Me is a book set in Ireland and it involves all kinds of mystical creatures like Fae and Leprachauns... yes, you heard that right Leprachauns. Before reading this book I probably would have said Leprachauns... well I don't think that's my kind of book... but it is. Oh. My. God. It is. I absolutely adored this book. It was fanatstic and I couldn't put the book down from start to finish.
Wendy's writing is just so enamouring. Every book she has wrote I have loved. I have picked it up and within a couple of chapters have been unable to put it down... this one was no different. I was taken to a world of magic with a backdrop of the beautiful country of Ireland and with the characters going-ons I just couldn't put it down.
I loved everything about this book. The fun storyline, the characters and the magic. I am seriously dying for Wendy to write a sequel to this book as I just adore it. It's so amazing and addictive. If you want a fast-paced fun read then this is the book for you. It is not to be missed. I loved every moment of it!
January 28, 2016
Das erste Drittel hat mir richtig gut gefallen... Die 17-jährige Robyn reist mit ihren Eltern und der Schwester nach Irland, wo sie McKale heiraten soll. Sie stammt aus einer Familie mit magischen Kräften und soll nun mit einem Kobold, ja, einem Kobold eine Bindung eingehen. Doch zunächst scheint es zwischen den beiden so gar nicht zu funken...
Die Atmosphäre auf der irischen Insel und das Setting insgesamt sind wunderbar, ich mochte, dass die Heldin von Anfang an um ihr Erbe und ihre Zukunft wusste. Allerdings zieht sich die Story irgendwann fürchterlich, es wird etwas Schwung durch Nebenstories reingebracht, die aber aus meiner Sicht überhaupt nicht ins Gesamtgeschehen passen wollen.
Aus der Idee hätte man etwas machen können, so war es leider trotz des tollen Anfangs ziemlich enttäuschend.
Die Atmosphäre auf der irischen Insel und das Setting insgesamt sind wunderbar, ich mochte, dass die Heldin von Anfang an um ihr Erbe und ihre Zukunft wusste. Allerdings zieht sich die Story irgendwann fürchterlich, es wird etwas Schwung durch Nebenstories reingebracht, die aber aus meiner Sicht überhaupt nicht ins Gesamtgeschehen passen wollen.
Aus der Idee hätte man etwas machen können, so war es leider trotz des tollen Anfangs ziemlich enttäuschend.
March 30, 2014
HELL YES.. YES YES YESSSSS!!!! THIS IS GONNA GET PUBLISHED.. OH YEAAAAA!!!!
After reading
So seriously wendy what is the thing that u found wrong with ur book, cz i have no clue.. it was soo cute and it was good, and i need a book for cassy and Rock like yesterday..
4 stars..
It is not that there was something wrong with it, it is just that u have written more epicly in sweet peril, i wouldn't be giving justice to sweet peril if i put the same rating, or maybe i just love kai so much :D
After reading
So seriously wendy what is the thing that u found wrong with ur book, cz i have no clue.. it was soo cute and it was good, and i need a book for cassy and Rock like yesterday..
4 stars..
It is not that there was something wrong with it, it is just that u have written more epicly in sweet peril, i wouldn't be giving justice to sweet peril if i put the same rating, or maybe i just love kai so much :D
March 16, 2015
Robyn Mason seems like a normal American girl except for the fact that she has magical blood. Her parents have reluctantly agreed many years ago to marry her off to a young boy from Ireland who also has magical blood. Robyn knowns after her high school graduation, she will have to go over there to meet McKale, her betrothed, and his clan. But things aren't exactly how she thought they would be and Robyn's family finds themselves in danger more often than not. See Me by Wendy Higgins is a fun romp through the Emerald Isle and a perfect read for St. Patrick's Day.
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
March 27, 2018
I almost gave up on this book and I am so glad that didn’t! The beginning was extremely slow, for me at least. I would have loved if there’d been a view from Cass. It did speed up eventually and put on some suspense. Not bad.
March 15, 2016
★½
I had mixed feelings about this book. Was I supposed to laugh or cry at how painfully pathetic it became at times? The premise seemed interesting enough and I was hoping for something similar to My Fair Godmother series. Maybe that was why when Robyn's mother, being three sheets to the wind for some unknown reason(it wasn't as if she didn't know for all those years what was to happen), announced McKale's clan to be 'Leprechauns', I burst into giggles (of the hysterical sort). No offense to Leprechauns, my giggles were caused by what happened after the announcement was made:
“Oh, my gosh… Robyn? Mom, you made her cry!” (Her sister)
“Shush, dear. Please don’t cry,” Mom crooned. “I hear he’s the tallest lad in the clan.”
Hallelujah, Robyn! You're going to marry the tallest lad in the clan. This combined with her earlier proclamation: I was told they needed a special, magical girl to bind herself with one of their special, magical boys to ensure the continuation of their family’s bloodline.
A true special, magical broodmare! See, my giggles were perfectly justified, even though my fellow travelers in the Metro might have thought otherwise.
Moving on to what a teenager in Robyn's situation might have done, in my opinion, she might have inured herself to an arranged marriage, but "anticipating" it? Heck no! She's worried about the guy's height but not about the very real danger of the guy being a closet pervert for all she knew of him. And this part: “So you can get big, like us?” she asked her tiny admirer. He nodded. “Can you do it now?”
“Only for another kiss!”
Cassidy laughed, a glint in her eye. “My lips are too big. I almost suffocated you last time.” (gag! retch! barf! O gosh, the images!)
I'll admit that I've read books that are even more ridiculous, but in many of those cases, the MCs usually save the story. In here, the MCs were as insubstantial as paper dolls. I liked the characters of Sweet Evil, they somehow suited that story which was missing in here.
I had mixed feelings about this book. Was I supposed to laugh or cry at how painfully pathetic it became at times? The premise seemed interesting enough and I was hoping for something similar to My Fair Godmother series. Maybe that was why when Robyn's mother, being three sheets to the wind for some unknown reason(it wasn't as if she didn't know for all those years what was to happen), announced McKale's clan to be 'Leprechauns', I burst into giggles (of the hysterical sort). No offense to Leprechauns, my giggles were caused by what happened after the announcement was made:
“Oh, my gosh… Robyn? Mom, you made her cry!” (Her sister)
“Shush, dear. Please don’t cry,” Mom crooned. “I hear he’s the tallest lad in the clan.”
Hallelujah, Robyn! You're going to marry the tallest lad in the clan. This combined with her earlier proclamation: I was told they needed a special, magical girl to bind herself with one of their special, magical boys to ensure the continuation of their family’s bloodline.
A true special, magical broodmare! See, my giggles were perfectly justified, even though my fellow travelers in the Metro might have thought otherwise.
Moving on to what a teenager in Robyn's situation might have done, in my opinion, she might have inured herself to an arranged marriage, but "anticipating" it? Heck no! She's worried about the guy's height but not about the very real danger of the guy being a closet pervert for all she knew of him. And this part: “So you can get big, like us?” she asked her tiny admirer. He nodded. “Can you do it now?”
“Only for another kiss!”
Cassidy laughed, a glint in her eye. “My lips are too big. I almost suffocated you last time.” (gag! retch! barf! O gosh, the images!)
I'll admit that I've read books that are even more ridiculous, but in many of those cases, the MCs usually save the story. In here, the MCs were as insubstantial as paper dolls. I liked the characters of Sweet Evil, they somehow suited that story which was missing in here.
August 16, 2016
I honestly don't know why not to much people liked this book. It's one of the rare times where you can mix with the olden day with modern day. And I thought this was very beautifully told. I could not stop laughing through half the Irish characters.
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