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Hickory Mack
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Half-Breed (Taming the Elements Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Hickory Mack (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 308 ratings
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Alice Eustone was born to hunt demons. The top candidate for an apprenticeship under a senior hunter, her future was secure. Until her father sold their home without warning and moved them to Tallow, a place where brilliance and standing out is not only discouraged, but punished. Her dreams dissolving around her, Alice doesn't know who she is anymore.

Tormented and broken by her peers, Alice gives into their violent manipulation and does the unthinkable. Venturing beyond the barrier wall, seeking death at a demon's hands.

She finds an ill-tempered, outcast fox, who refuses her request and makes her question everything she knows. When her magic awakens a lifetime of lies begins to unravel and Alice must choose between loyalty to the Hunter Clans, or a new life, with a Demon.

Set in a post apocalyptic world with Japanese shinto influence, Half-Breed features fae, witches, goddesses, a myriad of demons and one gorgeous incubus.

Half-Breed is an 18+ novel due to adult themes of violence and language. Trigger warning. Slow burn #whychoose

UPDATE from Hickory, 3/5/2020: Concerning editing errors, I have worked with some amazing Beta readers to address these issues. I have also added a character index, as we have a full cast of characters for this book. These changes are submitted and the Amazonian gods willing will be going live today!
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Taming the Elements
  2. Print length
    476 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 23, 2020
  5. File size
    4.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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$13.98
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083BLJGT2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mack House Publishing (January 23, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 23, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 476 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 308 ratings

About the author

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Hickory Mack

Hickory Mack

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Hickory is a single mother of three, raising her children alongside of their dogs, cats and pet pigeons. Living in the northern reaches of Minnesota, she wanders the woods and the beaches of Lake Superior, dreaming up her next story.

Still recovering from homelessness, she looks forward to the day she can create and run an animal rescue, with an emphasis on roosters and other farm animals.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
308 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the storyline interesting and engaging with many twists and turns. They appreciate the well-developed characters and their relationships. The world is intricate and beautifully crafted, with an original take on things. Readers praise the author's writing style as descriptive and skillful at balancing imagery with subtlety. They love the romantic relationships and emotional connections between the characters. Many appreciate the aspects of Japanese culture and lore in the book. Overall, customers enjoy the fun and captivating storyline.

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StorylineWorld buildingCharacter developmentAuthor's writing styleRomanceLoreEnjoymentLength
33 customers mention "Storyline"30 positive3 negative

Customers find the storyline interesting with multi-faceted elements. They appreciate the intricate and creative world and events. The book blends dystopian sci-fi and supernatural fantasy, creating a unique and engaging mix that keeps readers hooked until the end.

"...They were well developed and interesting and I enjoyed reading about them just as much as I did the rest!..." Read more

"...with each new addition bringing even more depth and multi-faceted elements to the story...." Read more

"Story: The story so far is interesting. This book felt more like prequel than anything else...." Read more

"...This author does a unique job of blending this paranormal, dystopian type future world with bits and pieces that seemed obviously connected to our..." Read more

25 customers mention "World building"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the world-building in this book. They find it imaginative and creative, introducing an original perspective. The characters are well-developed and the story builds strong foundations for character relationships.

"...it's a prequel, but a really really important one, this book builds so many foundations and character relationships that would be hard to understand..." Read more

"...close with every one of these characters and has big, well-thought out visions for the series yet to come. I CAN HARLDY WAIT!!! 💜💜💜..." Read more

"...Mack did amazing job with the world building and character development...." Read more

"...This is just a very original take on things and I can't wait to see where this story goes. Good book would recommend." Read more

19 customers mention "Character development"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the character development and how they interacted. They found Chiari a delightful character and enjoyed watching her learn and grow.

"...important one, this book builds so many foundations and character relationships that would be hard to understand if we just fast forwarded to Chiori..." Read more

"...I literally could not put it down. The characters are absolutely enchanting, with each new addition bringing even more depth and multi-faceted..." Read more

"...Yes, if you’re looking for amazing story and character development. If your look fast-paced reverse harm, then no...." Read more

"...This story is rich with culture, histories and world/character development...." Read more

12 customers mention "Author's writing style"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's writing style. They find the world well-written, with an intricate and detailed world that is heavily influenced by Japanese mythology. The author takes the time to build relationships and flesh out the world. While some readers felt the book had unnecessary details, they found it clean and sweet in places.

"...me (22F) to connect with her, on the contrary I found it very easy to connect with her...." Read more

"...The author is exceptionally adept at balancing the power of imagery with the subtlety of subtext and it is nothing short of delicious to devour...." Read more

"...Something so magical and beautifully written it had taken my breath away...." Read more

"...The imagery was exquisite and intricate, the characters complex and intricate. Others have mentioned the age of the FMC- yes, she is 12...." Read more

9 customers mention "Romance"7 positive2 negative

Customers enjoyed the romantic relationships in the book. They found the relationships emotional and loving, with no predatory or paternal feelings. The relationships also included positive friendships between women.

"...And it’s quite clearly a love story, though gentle in its initiation here, but as a reader you can feel the build up culminating with each turning..." Read more

"...are built on friendships, and it was so incredible to watch Chiori's relationships with others (potential romantic or otherwise) grow in a way that..." Read more

"...It shows the power of love beyond the sexual kind, and I fell in love with all of the characters...." Read more

"...And honestly, there's emotional connections being made while our girl defines herself as well!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Lore"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the Japanese culture and mythology in the book. They find Makkai cool and look forward to seeing what he has in store. The world is complex and beautifully described.

"...background, there is a lot of originality but it is also based in Japanese myth which I find very interesting...." Read more

"...I loved the aspects of Japanese culture in this book too!..." Read more

"...The author weaves a complex world that is heavily influenced by Japanese mythology and lore...." Read more

"...It is also chock full of little snippets of Japanese lore and culture. I 10000000% recommend this book to everyone...." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it fun, engaging, and relatable. The world is intricate and has many things going on.

"...And it was a crazy ride adventures, chaos, revelations and that relatable concept at least for me of when a kid has to grow up too soon..." Read more

"...Anyways the world is intricate and engaging, there’s so much here going on, it can be overwhelming and slightly confusing especially since these..." Read more

"It's fun, runs the gamut of emotions, and had me riveted from start to finish. I can't wait for the next one, I want to see her all grown up!" Read more

"Enjoyable!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Length"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's length and characters. They found the characters had big, well-thought-out visions.

"...the writer is intimately close with every one of these characters and has big, well-thought out visions for the series yet to come...." Read more

"...I love that this is a long book and there's not a cliffhanger, but I found myself thinking, "Wait, that's the end?"" Read more

"What a beautiful and sad world the author has created. I loved the book’s length and it’s characters. This book grabbed me and would not let me go!..." Read more

"Long book with plenty of world building..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • SS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    So full disclosure, I wasn't really sure I was going to like this book. I knew going in that the MC was young and normally I don't like to read a large chunk of just childhood, and I also didn't know she would be young for the whole book, I kind of figured it would jump forward in time but man am I glad that it didn't!! I have never had a book suck me in so completely, before I knew it it was over and I was going that's it?!?! even though it's longer than average.
    The things I loved:
    I really like that Chiori (our MC) was young and read as a young person, but was not overtly childlike so that is was hard for me (22F) to connect with her, on the contrary I found it very easy to connect with her.
    The world that Mack has built, it's not your standard fantasy background, there is a lot of originality but it is also based in Japanese myth which I find very interesting. The whole book is steeped in it, from parts of the setting to the food that gets eaten, and the description really takes you away to another world.
    Lord Makkai. I don't want to spoil anything so I'll just say he's not your standard male lead and that I absolutely fell in love with him and he and Chiori's interactions.
    The secondary characters. So many times the secondary characters get left behind or don't get fleshed out, and this was not the case for this book. They were well developed and interesting and I enjoyed reading about them just as much as I did the rest!
    How invested and attached I got to every single character and the whole storyline itself. I can't tell you how much this story sucked me in, I spoke earlier in my review about how I wasn't sure how much I would like it so I went in a little skeptically, but before I knew it I was halfway through and it was 4am and I was turning pages as fast as possible because I needed more! In the end I was very glad I got to read about young Chiori, it wasn't just giving us background information, I was reading Chiori's story and it would have been incomplete without this chunk of her being a young person and also not have made nearly as much sense or had me invested in the story nearly as much. Now that I really think about it, it kind of feels like it's a prequel, but a really really important one, this book builds so many foundations and character relationships that would be hard to understand if we just fast forwarded to Chiori being an adult.

    The things I didn't like:
    That it wasn't just infinite pages long so I could keep reading forever.

    In conclusion: GIVE IT A CHANCE YOU WON'T BE SORRY
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Rachael Carr
    5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!! Is it too soon to read it again???
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    To be honest, I was sort of just looking for something to fill the time while on “shelter in place” orders but this book took me by storm!!! I literally could not put it down. The characters are absolutely enchanting, with each new addition bringing even more depth and multi-faceted elements to the story. And it’s quite clearly a love story, though gentle in its initiation here, but as a reader you can feel the build up culminating with each turning page.

    Right away you can’t help but feel endeared to our sweet and complex main character Chiori, it’s so easy to intimately relate to her struggles, fears, and growing pains throughout the story, despite the magical and fantastical elements at play. I loved viewing this incredibly special, fantastical new world through her eyes. I truly felt like I was stepping into her shoes reading this story.

    And Makkai...the tough but tender caretaker/demon who is anything but your typical in-the-box male lead. I don’t want to give anything away, but the writer does things with his character development that make you wish she was writing all the male characters in the world!

    Simply put, I am beyond invested now and am waiting anxiously on pins and needles for the next installment. The author is exceptionally adept at balancing the power of imagery with the subtlety of subtext and it is nothing short of delicious to devour. Every storyline and hint at future storylines has left me wanting more. Reading this book, it became clear to me that the writer is intimately close with every one of these characters and has big, well-thought out visions for the series yet to come. I CAN HARLDY WAIT!!! 💜💜💜
    Helpful
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  • Juan R
    4.0 out of 5 stars LOVE THIS BOOK! A great start to the series
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Story: The story so far is interesting. This book felt more like prequel than anything else. We get hints throughout the book what the focus of the story is going be which gets me excited for the future books of this series. Mack did amazing job with the world building and character development. I can’t wait to see relationship between Chiori and her men developed throughout the series.
    Characters: As characters go my favorites are Chiori lady-in-waiting. Mai and Yuuki(which are my favorite),Saya, Hina and Nakia are badass women that can handle themselves and protect Chiori when need but also voice out there opinion with no fear. Chiori went through a lot throughout this book. We see her gain more confidence and see her grow in later book. I’m excited to see her become the badass lady of the house that bows to no one (expect Lord Makkai hehe). As for Lord Makkai and Gideon, I can’t wait to learn more about their background and see how their relationship between them and Chiori developed. Lastly, I don’t trust Asuka that women rub me the wrong way.

    Smut: There is not smut. This book more story driven than anything else.

    Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you’re looking for amazing story and character development. If your look fast-paced reverse harm, then no. This book is slow burn just a heads up.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Van Nguyen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in Canada on February 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Anime/Manga fans that enjoyed Kamisama Hajimemashita (Kamisama Kiss) or Inuyasha will probably find this book brings backs lots of good memories. I've always had a soft spot for Tomoe and Sesshoumaru (ha! you didn't see that one coming) because they're 'bad' boy demons that come to love weaker (appearing) human(ish) girls and the culture clash/personality clash is my crack.

    This is a very slow burn first book with nothing more than chaste kisses - the main female character is 12 years old at the beginning. Think the start of the Black Jewels series - there are serious/more adult things going on around the MFC, and adult/harem interactions with the MFC are heavily affected by her age. The main male characters explicitly state this a couple of times and deny intimate feelings while she is a child, but hope that they'll develop later.

    It's quite a lush book for details, cultural and 'historical' stories with immersive world-building dedicated to by the narrators in a way that feels more epic. The main mail characters/demons draw from Japanese influence, but other parts of the world-building are fairly unique. This is post-apocalyptical and a bit dystopian for the human world -- demons seem to have done better.

    Just FYI for those that wonder about perspectives - you jump heads a lot, so omniscient 3rd technically - Mack is good at making it feel more intimate to the character talking/thinking at the moment, but some readers less familiar with this perspective can find it an adjustment at first.

    This book did hook me well in the beginning. I love the fox demon's first perspective of the main female character as prey he'll heartlessly hunt and eat -- and how that quickly changes.

    Mack hints that the next book has a more grown-up MFC and things heat up (not sure if that's the magic or intimacy, though, and I'm sure readers will need some adjustment period to feel comfortable that the MFC is ready/matured. It's on preorder for next year.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty darned awesome (definitele spoilers)
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Will admit I read the previous reviews and put off reading this book for a few weeks but was interested in the pictures and the Japanese styled creatures. Watched a series called Kakuriyo no yadomeshi (anime) and wanted the rh book version. So it starts where she's basically looking after herself, gets bullied by all and told to go kill herself. Now in some comments it states she 12 and that some scenes are abit much for some reason. I personally think its the cuddles in the beginning. Its based after the apocalypse where humanity is a former self with nests as homes. Absolutely devoured this, love all the characters and the chubi picture at the end, she's currently 16 by the end of this origin book 1. Can't wait to read more. JL
    Report
  • That Bookish Girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Holy F**
    Reviewed in Australia on May 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Hickory how are you a first time author. This book was amazingly detailed I felt like I was there with Alice when she was exploring when she was transported to another place. Absolutely adored this book and would give it more than 5* stars if I could. Cannot wait to read the next book and to see how far this author goes
    Report
  • PJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars A magically unique story !
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book, the characters and storyline are so very unique. I love the infusion of Japanese culture, it just added something even more otherworldly to the book. I think that the main character could have been a bit older as some parts seemed a bit to mature but overall this book is fantastically unique and Has a magical storyline and I will definitely be getting the next book.

    I would highly recommend this book if you like RH , witches, magic, magical creatures etc xx
    Report
  • Kmacp1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good!
    Reviewed in Australia on August 31, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was so good and so different. It answered the question, what happens to FMC when they meet their mates while still a child? And it was cleverly done, in a really intriguing way. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series
    Report

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