★★★★★
"5.0 out of 5 stars A promising start to a fascinating saga
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2021
Pastel Pink is the first book in The Zadok Series by rising author Nikki Minty. First of all, I need to tell you that this saga is targeting young adults and combines beautifully written fantasy with captivating magical realism.
This novel features some really interesting characters and their lives on two different planets: those who die on Earth are born again on Zadok, which is a completely new and fascinating world based on a race caste color system.
The audiobook version of Pastel Pink, is exquisitely brought to life by three extremely talented voiceover artists. Khristine Hvam is an award-winning audiobook narrator, producer, director, and voice-over actress. Jodie Harris is an Australian actress, singer, voice artist, audiobook narrator and singing teacher, while James Patrick Cronin is an award winning American audiobook narrator and stage actor.
Each of them are doing their best in order to bring all these fascinating characters and the two worlds to life. Three different narrators means that the listener will find it easier to differentiate between characters and also gives this story a more immersive setting. The narrative experience is top-notch and the production is perfect.
Pastel Pink is well written, fast paced, intriguing, thrilling, filled with emotion and highly entertaining. If you like YA Fantasy featuring colorful characters and a vivid world, you will love Pastel Pink by Nikki Minty. I plan to return to this captivating series as soon as possible and I'll be sure to post reviews for the next audiobooks in this extremely promising saga!" - The Audiobook Blog
Pastel Pink
From one ending comes a new beginning…
Ruby was murdered on Earth eighteen years ago and reincarnated on Zadok as a Pastel Zeek named Harlow. To be born at the bottom of her race’s caste colour system to a middle-class family of Magentas has made Harlow a source of conflict amongst the ruling Purples, and a source of derision from all three colours.
When Harlow is attacked by a fuegor on Zadok, the effects of its slow reacting venom triggers an unforeseen phenomenon, and due to the strong connection she had with her former twin sister Jade, her human spirit is unexpectedly drawn back to Earth.
Now living a double life, she has plunged into a world of intrigue on both planets.
On earth, she watches on in horror as Jade reconnects with Lucas, the man who murdered her and got away with it. And to complicate things further, she’s being pursued by Alex, the ghost of Lucas’ twin. On Zadok, she becomes embroiled with Jax, the son of the Commanding family. He’s determined to bring about change to the colony’s colour system, but it’ll come at a cost.
As Harlow mixes with the political intrigue of the Zeeks, will she become a victim of those trying to rigidly maintain the status quo or will she usher in a revolution?
And will ghost Ruby resist the temptation of the handsome Alex or pursue an impossible relationship that could have dire consequences on both planets?
Ruby Red
Alex has called it quits and stormed off, leaving Harlow alone and vulnerable in the danger zone with little chance of survival and a broken heart.
Luckily Jax finds her and brings her back to the caves. However, little does she know she’s returning with multiple souvenirs.
Standing out for all the wrong reasons has become Harlow’s specialty, and as the effects of her vertic switz tattoo set in and new issues are brought to light, she and her friends will find themselves in the line of fire with Rae and Electra.
Despite Jax’s attempts to neutralise the colour system, the Winter caves have become a death trap for Harlow, and Summer’s castle is no place for a Zeek. Harlow’s only sanctuary might be Spring’s Drake village, but her former ties to a Vallon are sure to cause friction with some of the residents.
Tough decisions will need to be made, but will she make the right ones?
Powerful Purples
An explosive ceremony rocks Winter’s caves and those responsible must flee to the Drake village and start a new life.
When Harlow is imprisoned by the Queen’s guards, Slater is forced to flee for his life and team up with Jax—the one man he detests more than any other. Together with courageous Zadonians from all four races, they devise a daring rescue mission to save Harlow from impending death.
Nothing is what it seems, however, and Harlow finds herself being drawn into political intrigue that will change the landscape of Summer and Winter forever.
Torn between Slater’s wants and needs, and her own—will Harlow stay to keep Slater happy or follow her heart and return with Jax?
Book Awards
“I loved the fantasy elements and magical realism of this story. The physical design and layout of the book is so beautifully formatted to attract readers of this intended genre and audience who will really enjoy it. Lots of great world building here as we follow Ruby through her reincarnation and afterlife through multiple inventive settings. The content of this book's setting is really vivid and beautifully done, but also balances the moments of exposition well so as not to overwhelm the reader. Such cool environments, especially in the descriptions of Zadok and the color systems. The combination of a murder to solve while Ruby is learning how to navigate the afterlife/reincarnation situation, it is really fun to watch and follow along with. Great characters with amusing and dramatic relationships. Harlow and Ruby have a unique dynamic readers will respond to with enthusiasm. The ending left me riveted and ready for the next book. Readers of fantasy and YA will be attracted to and satisfied by this story, but very eagerly awaiting more in the world as well.” - Judge, 29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
Honorable Mention for Science fiction/Fantasy ebook - 2021 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards
Best Books in the Category of Audiobook - 2021 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
2021 Literary Titan Book Award
Category, Science Fiction - 2022 Audies Finalist
Best Books in the Category of Audiobook - 2022 Independent Press Award
Category, Sci-fi & Fantasy - 2022 Maxy Runner-up (silver)
Fiction-Audiobook - 2022 IPPY Awards (bronze)
Young Adult Fiction - National Indie Excellence Award Finalist, 16th Contest
Fiction-Audiobook - 2022 NYC BIG BOOK AWARD (gold)
Best Book Series-Chapter Book - Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards (silver)
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