Tag: magic

REVIEW: Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper

REVIEW: Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Caroline’s newly awakened magic has shown her a ghost that hangs around her family’s restaurant, the Wilted Rose. Riley wonders if the ghost might be tied to Caroline’s family curse. And the curse is ever-present in Caroline’s mind since her high school sweetheart – the man she loved but lost because she can’t leave the island – has returned to Starfall.

Ben and his kids have come to Starfall to try to rebuild their lives after Ben’s divorce. He didn’t realize how often he’d run into Caroline on the small island. You’d think he’d be “over” their history after all this time, but he gets tongue-tied every time he runs into her.

When Ben stumbles onto the coven’s ghostly secret – and his kids get drawn in as well – the extra time with Caroline reveals the depths of their feelings for one another. But there’s a lot of hurt – and a magical curse – in their past. And that might be more than they can overcome.

Review

This was excellent! It’s a fantastic mix of fantasy, mystery, and romance, making this Starfall Point series perfect for me. The cast gets even better with the addition of Ben and his kids. I am a sucker for any book that can add in excellent kid/teen characters, and these two are outstanding. Every scene with the core group together – whether magical or not – absolutely sparkled. I laughed so much as I read this. It was a complete delight!

The magical mysteries in this book were fascinating. This felt like the perfect season to read a ghostly story, too. Once again, there was plenty of information doled out to make the story satisfying while still holding something back for the next book which will be April’s story. And I can’t wait!

Fans of book one, Witches Get Stuff Done, should absolutely pick this up. Newcomers should definitely read these books in order because the mystery/magical pieces will make more sense. This series was a delightful surprise for me – I randomly requested the first book from the library and fell in love. Now they have become part of my personal library so I can return to them before the third book comes out. If you are looking for something “spooky” for the season, don’t miss this series. (Language, sex, ghosts/curses)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper

REVIEW: Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Riley Everett has arrived in Starfall Point, MI to meet the aunt she hadn’t known existed before her mother died and Aunt Nora reached out. In fact, Riley had been going through such a string of bad luck, she wrote the woman off as a scammer at first. And now that Riley has finally arrived, she gets word that Aunt Nora has died.

Edison Hold is the head of the library at Starfall Point. And he’s been eager to get a look at Nora’s home, Shadow House. But Nora’s death – and an unfortunate first encounter with Riley – will not help his quest to get in the door.

Once in Starfall, Riley discovers the family legacy her mother never mentioned. They have been the keepers of a house full of ghosts and haunted objects. And Riley is now the new “keeper.”

Riley begins to settle into a routine – with the house, with the ghosts, with some friends who can help her with her magical responsibilities – and even with Edison. But there’s someone who wants the house’s secrets for themselves – and they don’t care what happens to anyone who gets in their way.

Review

This was captivating! I loved the premise and the characters. The magic system is more instinctual than learned, so I’m not as clear on what all Riley and her friends can do as I would like. But watching them do their thing – together – was highly entertaining.

This is funny, with an enjoyable found family core that really touched me. I’m eager to see how things develop for Riley and Edison as well as for the “coven,” although that term seems too formal and witchy for this fun, breezy, ghost-filled paranormal story.

Fans of this author as well as fans of humorous paranormal romance should absolutely check this out. It was a hoot! Book 2 is Big Witch Energy, and it’s on my library list! (Language, sex, paranormal elements include ghosts and magical powers)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great!

REVIEW: Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

REVIEW: Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Lee and Wren have been best friends since 8th grade. Prank partners. Ride or die – even after Lee moved across the country when his mom got a new job. It doesn’t matter that he’s Moonstruck, and she’s a Mundane without any magick. He’s her person. Period.

Lee is off to Moon Isle for school where Wren just can’t go. She’s been trying to figure out her next steps while his have been laid out for him his whole life. They won’t be able to talk to one another at all while he’s away. But at midnight on Wren’s 18th birthday, everything changes. She’s literally Moonstruck.

While mysterious, this development ensures that Wren gets to go to Moon Isle with Lee and her other Moonstruck friend, Sam. But the mysteries don’t stop once Wren gets there. While she questions whether she’ll ever feel like she belongs – and her feelings for Lee – Wren starts getting odd, cryptic messages. Those lead her to more questions, especially about what really happened to Lee’s older sister when she was at Moon Isle.

Review

Arrgh! I don’t love cliffhangers, especially at the end of a captivating book. And this was captivating from start to finish.

I really enjoyed this – I was drawn in by the magical system here, and I enjoyed the magical school setting. This book gives readers the barest bits of information and clues to draw you from chapter to chapter. And then that cliffhanger?! Really?! I literally shouted “No!” at the end.

I’m eager to read the sequel when it comes out so I can see all of the pieces put together. My only hesitation is that I did not love the romantic sub-plot. The female and non-binary characters in this are fantastic! But I didn’t love Lee at all. I am hoping that I get a better sense of him in book 2.

Fantasy fans and fans of the authors should definitely check this out. The second book of this duology is scheduled to release in the spring of 2025. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

 

REVIEW: Wombats! Go to Wizard's Wharf by Maddie Frost

REVIEW: Wombats! Go to Wizard’s Wharf by Maddie Frost

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Four years ago, Albert borrowed an egg from Pickles and said “I owe you one.” And now Pickles is ready to collect. He’s cashing in his IOU to go to Wizard’s Wharf amusement park. Albert is just not into amusement parks or “magic.” But he’s a good friend, so he agrees.

Review

This was delightful! The illustrations alone would make me pick this up. Especially when Albert and Pickles get to Wizard’s Wharf – I think kids will love pouring over each panel to see what is going on in the background. And Wizard’s Wharf looks awesome!

At it’s core, this is a friendship story – and it’s a great one. Albert is a good friend who does something that means so much to Pickles. The pages where they first arrive at Wizard’s Wharf are my favorite. I LOVE Pickles’ joy at being in this magical place he’s dreamed about visiting. Albert also uses his knowledge of Pickles to find him when they get separated. The two friends might have personality differences, but Albert really sees and knows Pickles.

I don’t think readers have to have read book one to enjoy this, but fans will definitely want to read both books. Wombats! Go Camping is another fun story. And I loved this one even more. I hope there will be more books starring these two friends – I am here for them!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

REVIEW: The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Princess Rosamund wakes after 100 years of slumber to a smooching prince (Ew!), it takes a bit to get her bearings and remember her story. But when she arrives at the Orphans Home Educational Academy, it all comes back to her – the spindle, the 100 years, the angry fairy.

But Rosamund is now in the Princess Protection Program. It’s a safe, protected space for fairy tale characters who have left their stories to prepare for life in the “real” world.

As Rosamund acclimates to her new home and friends, however, she begins to notice strange things around the school – monsters, missing and forgotten friends, mysterious magic. Maybe HEA isn’t the happily ever after she’s been led to believe it is.

Review

This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the worldbuilding here a lot. There are some clever design choices along with some little shout outs to other stories and writers of other fractured fairytales. This is a genre I have always enjoyed, and this is a great addition.

The characters here are lovely. I really liked this version of Sleeping Beauty – her curiosity, her questions, and her loyalty. The author does a great job keeping the focus on a small group of recognizable princesses while telling the larger story. Folks looking for middle grade books with LGBTQ+ representation will find some of that here, too.

My favorite thing of all was the way the author wove ideas of personal responsibility, independence, choice, autonomy, and identity into this fun fairy tale story. I’d love to read more books with these themes. And if these characters come back for another adventure, I am here for their stories!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

THROW BACK: The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

THROW BACK: The False Princess by Eilis O’Neal

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on April 11, 2011. Reading this review again makes me want to pull the book out for a re-read some time soon!

 

Summary

For 16 years, she was Nalia, princess of Thorvaldor. Then, in one moment, she becomes Sinda, the princess’ “stand in,” put in place through a magic spell, in order to protect the princess from prophesied disaster. Once the magic is removed, Sinda is sent to live with an aunt she’s never known who thought she was dead all this time. Sinda’s lost the only family she’s ever known, her home, her best friend, her very identity.

As Sinda struggles to redefine her life, she must make peace with an immense amount of previously unknown magic. She returns to Thorvaldor to learn to master her magic, and stumbles into a plot to overthrow the rulers of Thorvaldor. Can a displaced false princess ever hope to save her kingdom?

 

Review

Fantastic!! Great characters. Increasing levels of distress – personal, then interpersonal, then national – pull the reader through the story. Amazing plot twists. Mild romantic story line. Sinda is a great character, realistically dealing with the upheaval in her core identity and the doubts she battles. I would happily share The False Princess with others and would read it again some time. Excellent story.

5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: readers 12 and up, readers who like princess stories that are more intricate than the typical princess story for younger kids, mystery lovers

 

 

REVIEW: The Secret Service of Tea and Treasure by India Holton

REVIEW: The Secret Service of Tea and Treasure by India Holton

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A.U.N.T. is the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret intelligence agency of “below stairs” staffers like butlers and ladies maids. Alice Dearlove, Agent A, is the top operative in A.U.N.T., and Daniel Bixby is her biggest rival. His identity was a secret to her until recently. But now they have to put their rivalry – and unwelcome chemistry – aside to prevent an assassination.

Review

This is book 3 in the Dangerous Damsels series – and it was a delight from start to finish! Everything I loved about book 1 was back. And the characters and story were just right for me. The backstory of hurts and trauma and longing here is subtle and beautiful, tucked behind hilarious innuendo, riotous chaos, and pirates with magically flying houses. I love this mashup of historical fiction with romance and fantasy. This was a hoot!

At one moment in the middle I realized the characters weren’t really moving forward in their quest to find the weapon and save the queen – and I didn’t really care. I was having too much fun with these characters. The found family elements here are a treat. The innuendo – and Alice’s naïveté – was hilarious! And once again the writing is stellar. I love how Holton crafts a sentence. I would definitely read this again.

Series fans should absolutely pick this one up. I think it helps to have read the previous books, both for the world building and also for some character crossover. But if you start here, I think you can follow the story – but you will want to read more! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Raven Thief by Gig Pandian

REVIEW: The Raven Thief by Gig Pandian

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Tempest’s friend, Sanjay, has agreed to do a fake, “symbolic” séance for a client who is using Secret Staircase Construction to renovate her basement. The space used to be used by her ex as an office, but the client has had Tempest’s family  business renovate it into something all hers. For her housewarming celebration she wants to “banish” her ex-husband’s spirit from the property. Even though he’s not dead.

But someone takes that banishment seriously. And Tempest, Sanjay, and the others at the séance become suspects for the man’s murder. Now Tempest has a locked room mystery to solve involving at least 4 impossible elements. Tempest will have to put all of her magical knowledge to use to find the real killer.

Review

The set up of this Secret Staircase Mystery series is so clever! Between Tempest’s history with magic and illusions, and her family business of building secret rooms and trick bookcases, there’s a lot about the setting and cast that sets this series apart. And I love all of it!

Along with that unique set up, the mystery here is terrifically plotted. There were multiple “impossible” scenarios that Tempest had to peel apart to find the killer – and it was super satisfying to watch it unfold.

There’s a lot here to love! I was a bit disappointed and distracted in the reading, though. I am hoping it’s a matter of the review copy needing another round of edits, but I have never run into this with another ARC from this publisher. There were sections here that were repetitive, and there were odd word choices that jarred me out of the story as I read. And while I like that there is a series-centered mystery in addition to each book-centered mystery, this time some of the pieces about the family curse and what happened to Tempest’s mom were more of a distraction than an enhancement.

I adored book one, Under Lock and Skeleton Key, and the mystery in this sequel is top notch. I have my fingers crossed that the other issues are either a fluke or were resolved in final edits before publication.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Gina and the Last City on Earth by Judd Winick

REVIEW: Gina and the Last City on Earth by Judd Winick

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Hilo has been captured by the magical rulers of an alternate Earth. They want to prevent a prophecy that says two magical humans will take the Earth from them. And they believe those humans are Hilo’s friends.

Gina has connected with her ancestor, Regina, who has been serving as a magical guardian for ages. She has kept countless magical creatures from invading Earth. But with the arrival of Gina and her friends, Regina realizes things aren’t what they seem in her magical world.

Review

I wasn’t supposed to be reviewing this book today. I’m having a hard time catching up on my reading from the first of the year. But when the library notice came through that this was in my hold list, I dropped everything to read through it. This is one of my “ride or die” graphic novel series. And this entry did not disappoint.

I continue to be awed by how this funny, action-packed series can also deal with grief and loss so well. There’s just the right amount of heart-tugging  that comes from how much readers care about these characters. But that is well-balanced with the action and humor. Graphic novel fans should definitely start this series at the beginning – there’s just too much to catch up on if you were to jump in here. But it’s worth the time because this series is amazing. I already have book 10, Rise of the Cat, on my wish list for 2024.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep

REVIEW: Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

While Gemma and Leonides and their friends and family have survived Milo’s attempted assassinations, they are wary and on guard. Milo survived, too, and has gone into hiding with a huge bounty on his head. While some speculate that he will flee, Gemma feels it’s more likely he’s plotting something else, maybe for the upcoming Sword and Shield Tournament.

Gemma invites Queen Maeven and Princess Delmira as her guests for the tournament, hoping to lure Milo out of hiding to take another shot at his mother. The animosity between the Ripleys and the Morricones simmers as they kick off the tournament and wait for Milo to make his move. And Gemma and Leo are caught by their family loyalties and the history of plots and schemes – and murder – between the families. While they hope to eventually triumph over Milo, their love seems doomed to fail.

Review

I have loved this series – this world – since I first read Kill the Queen, first in the Crown of Shards series. The author has said this is the last book from this world, at least for awhile, and I’m a little sad it’s all over.

Gemma gets to have another showdown with the Morricones here – actually a few of them. And they are epic! If you love the big battles in this series, you will not be disappointed here. Most of the threads of Gemma’s story are tied up here, so the ending is satisfying. There are definitely a few loose ends for the author to play with if she ever comes back to this world. But if this is truly the end, I think fans will be satisfied.

I have to be honest. There were a few moments where I felt the plot was engineered to draw out the drama. I realize that’s fiction. Duh! But I mean moments where something happened – or didn’t happen – that felt out of character or so out of the flow that it pulled me out of the story with “Wait, what?” These moments didn’t ruin the story, and they weren’t *big* things. But they did shake up the flow of things for me. And then they sat in the back of my brain for the rest of my reading experience.

That said, there’s been some brilliant plotting in this trilogy. The teasers from earlier books get to resolve here in fantastic ways. I will definitely read this again once my personal copy arrives. I tabbed my way through a re-read of the first two Gargoyle Queen books, and I am eager to tab this as well to note where all the payoffs come.

Series fans should definitely pick this up asap. New readers should at least go back to the start of this series, Capture the Crown, if not all the way back to Kill the Queen to get the full experience with this awesome world and these fantastic characters. And remember, these are adult fantasy novels (language, sex, violence), not YA.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read