Tag: magic

REVIEW: City of Villains by Estelle Laure

REVIEW: City of Villains by Estelle Laure

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When a teenager from her high school goes missing, police intern Mary Elizabeth Heart is assigned the case. She’ll be working with one of the only other Legacies at the station, young Officer Bella Loyola.

Mally Saint was not someone to be trifled with. When her friends decided she was too bossy to be invited to their annual fairy party, she showed up anyway and let her bird, Hellion, destroy the place. Then she targeted each of her three “friends” for acts of retribution. Those girls were obviously Mary Elizabeth’s first suspects.

But when another Legacy goes missing, it seems to Mary Elizabeth and Bella that there is something larger going on than acts of revenge over a party. And this time, it’s personal to Mary Elizabeth. In fact, the police chief assigns the second case to other officers – non-Legacies who don’t take it seriously – and threatens to pull Mary Elizabeth off Mally’s case if she can’t pull it together. Mary Elizabeth is going to have to decide what is more important to her – keeping her job or protecting her found family.

Review

The reviews on Goodreads for this were less than stellar, which worried me. But I enjoyed it! It took a little while for the world building to come together for me. And some of the writing and word choices for the world were awkward, especially early on when I was trying to grasp everything. But once the system was established, it was easy to fall into the story.

I thought the set up was clever. Former magic wielders – Legacies – sharing a community with “Narrows” who are the outsiders. There are prejudices and class differences rumbling in and around the story, setting up some of the book’s conflicts. Then there was the mystery of the missing teens. I was intrigued.

In addition to the core story of missing kids and lost magic and community tragedies, there are other pieces working between and around the characters – Mary Elizabeth’s murdered family, her hero worship of the police chief who tracked their killer, sexism and discrimination between the Legacy and the Narrow, and the importance of Mary Elizabeth’s found family. For me, this wasn’t a character-driven story. I didn’t love or connect with any particular characters in a special way. I was intrigued by the mystery (although I did pick out the culprit right away) and the sleuthing of Mary Elizabeth and Bella as well as this re-imagined origin story for familiar Disney characters.

Early on it was easy to get distracted trying to figure out who each character was supposed to be in the larger Disney universe (some are more obvious than others). But it didn’t take long for me to get drawn into the story instead. I will definitely be reading book 2 to see what happens to these characters next. There are some unanswered questions at the end of this, and I am eager to see how things play out. (Some language and violence, magic, some sexual harassment/sexist workplace behavior)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Battle of the Bodkins by Lincoln Peirce

REVIEW: Battle of the Bodkins by Lincoln Peirce

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Long ago, in the land of Byjovia, a selfish prince was ready to become king. His fairy “dogmother” siphoned off his more problematic personality traits and put them in a jar. But when the jar broke, an evil copy of the prince emerged – a “bodkin.”

While that bodkin was exiled, Max and her friends have discovered a bodkin in present day Byjovia. It seems as though there are even more bodkins now, and they are preparing for an invasion. It will be Max’s job – along with the Midknights – to invade the bodkins’ home and stop them.

Review

I got such a huge kick out of Max’s first adventure, I knew I had to read book two. This is fun and suspenseful. The Midknights really have their hands full with the evil bodkins.

As with the first book, the pacing of the story is great – peril on top of peril, but nothing so far fetched that it pulls you out of the story. There’s a larger cast here – the Midknights plus the key adults in the kingdom as well as a few new friends. I call this a graphic novel, but it really is more of a highly illustrated story – prose along side line drawings. It’s a terrific format for the story.

I think kids will love Max’s new adventure. There are some nice tidbits in the book about Max’s origins – and an interesting twist to launch the kids into their next adventure. Fans should not miss this one. I am looking forward to reading book 3.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift

REVIEW: Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When she was 8 and he was 9, Adraa met Jatin for the first time. Their parents talked about the betrothal while Adraa and Jatin were talking about magic and getting to know one another. To say that first meeting didn’t go well would be an understatement.

Now, nine years later, Jatin has finished his magical schooling. He has mastered all 9 types of magic. And he loves rubbing it into Adraa’s face when he sends her periodic “love notes” with secret, sarcastic messages in them. Adraa, as a future ruler/maharani of Wickery, can’t rule unless she can master all 9 as well. She has 45 days to get a handle on the last piece of magic.

But Adraa has other priorities than magic practice. She’s been undercover on a mission sanctioned by Jatin’s father, going by the name Jaya Smoke. She can pull it off now because no one really knows she’s the next Maharani. But once she’s 18 that all changes, so she has to work fast if she is going to uncover the seedy things going on in her country.

Jatin has met “Jaya,” but he has no idea she is his betrothed, Adraa. And that’s okay because she thinks Jatin is his own friend and guard Kalyan. And while neither knows who the other is, they team up on Jaya’s undercover mission, one far more dangerous than future royalty should be tackling on their own.

Review

This was fantastic! I loved the secret identity story line even though it was obviously going to cause trouble eventually. I also loved the magic system and the world-building for this. I was completely engrossed, right from the beginning. This is exactly the sort of YA fantasy I love.

I loved Jatin and Adraa, both as individuals and as a potential couple. They are so good with and for each other!

The larger mystery that Jatin and Adraa are investigating takes awhile to develop. And in an instant it becomes  far more than it seems to be early on. I was waiting for some big shift, and got more than I bargained for. There isn’t a cliffhanger per se in this; you get to some level of resolution. But it’s really more of a breathing spot before launching into whatever book 2 will have in store. I can’t wait to read it and see what happens next for these characters. Book 2, Bound by Firelight, is currently scheduled to release in 2022.

I highly recommend this one for fans of YA fantasy!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders

REVIEW: Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Josie Way is on the run. She had a job at the Library of Congress in Washington DC. But something happened there, and now she’s in Wilfred, Oregon, determined to lay low. She’s been hired as the town librarian. But when she gets to Wilfred, she finds out that the library may get torn down to make way for a retreat center.

After only a few days at the library and in Oregon, Josie feels like she is finally where she belongs. The air is fresher, and colors even seem more vibrant. She has an almost magical connection to the library and its collection of books, not to mention the library cat. Josie doesn’t want to walk away from this special place.

But she can’t forget she’s in hiding. And the dead body she finds near the library is unsettling to say the least. Does it have anything to do with the trouble Josie is fleeing? Or does Josie’s new home have sinister troubles of its own?

Review

This is the first book in the new Witch Way Librarian Mystery series, and it is outstanding! The author does a breathtaking job teasing out the story in the early chapters – Josie on the run, the experience on the plane, the change in her perception. Talk about “show, don’t tell.” I was hooked right from the beginning, marveling out loud to my husband about how well crafted the beginning of this book is.

That early high quality carried throughout the whole book – the library, the town, the story of Josie’s life back in DC, her family, the library situation. It was all so well woven together. I loved every bit of it! The mystery is well-constructed, with nice wrinkles and twists along the way.

For me, this was a perfect blend of mystery and fantasy. I love both genres and enjoyed how the author weaves both together. I can’t wait to see what will happen with Josie’s magic in book 2. Seven-Year Witch is scheduled to release in late summer 2021. And I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Paranormal mystery fans should not miss this one! (Magic elements: spells, powers, transfer of consciousness to the cat, tarot cards used as prop by nonmagical character)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

While Uncle Budrick enjoys being a traveling troubadour, Max would rather be a knight. When Max and Budrick visit Byjovia – Uncle Budrick’s home – they discover that the kind king is presumed dead and his evil brother has taken over. But thanks to some new friends, Max – and the Midknights – might be able to save the day.

Review

This was PURE FUN! I loved the whole story. The characters are delightful. The humor is pitch perfect – funny without beating you over the head with gags. The pacing of the story was excellent – every so often there was a new challenge and a new opportunity or friend.

If there’s a “message” to the story it’s that gender or family history shouldn’t force you into any role. Even though Max is a girl, she should get to train as a knight if that’s what she wants. And if her friend wants to be a writer instead of working with horses like his dad, so be it. But really, the message is secondary to the fun story full of magic and creatures and challenges and chances to be heroic.

I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book. Book 2, Battle of the Bodkins, is out now. Why not pick up both and check them out?!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥=Outstanding! Amazing! Special!

REVIEW: The Princess Knight by G. A. Aiken

REVIEW: The Princess Knight by G. A. Aiken

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Keeley has taken up the title of The Blacksmith Queen out of obligation. Her soulless younger sister, Beatrix, has married the Old King’s merciless son, Marius. She helps him in his quest to kill his brothers and have the throne to himself. Although her true aims have nothing to do with her husband. He is a means to an end. Keeley can’t have the murderous couple in charge. So while she’d rather return to her forge and her comparatively quiet life, she leads and she fights.

Keeley’s sister, Gemma, fights at her side. The two also fight with each other every chance they get. But when push comes to shove, they always have each other’s backs.

When someone starts wiping out the various religious orders in the land, including Gemma’s War Monks, she returns to her old order, hoping to convince them to take Keeley’s offer of sanctuary. But Gemma’s order has changed a lot in the two years since she left.

While Gemma deals with the War Monks, Keeley is still trying to figure out what Beatrix is up to and how to stop her. It may seem like all of their worries when this began two years ago were unfounded. But anyone who knew Beatrix would know she’ll stop at nothing but full control and domination. They may not yet see or know what she is plotting, but there is no doubt she is up to no good.

Review

I cannot get enough of this series! I reread book 1, The Blacksmith Queen (♥♥♥♥♥) to prepare for this, and then read this cover to cover. In fact, I’m ready to read this again, and I just finished. This is far more gory and violent than I usually like or read, but the story and the characters are outstanding enough that I push past the yuck to stick with the awesome rest.

You will likely find this in the romance section of the bookstore, but for me this is a fantasy series first and foremost. Yes, there’s a romance in each book. But the real focus here is on the world, the political and religious action, and on this particular family.

I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy the shift from Keeley as the focus in book 1 to Gemma as the focus here. But it was perfect! We get a tremendous amount of information and understanding for Gemma here, and I loved it. This made me like her more than I did in book 1. I have my fingers crossed that Ainsley is the focus of book 3 because she was probably my favorite character in this book full of awesome characters.

I keep coming back to this series for the excellent world-building, the humor and sass in the writing, and the fantastic characters. There are tons of fantasy elements here – magic, sword fights, allies and enemies – with some romance thrown in. For me, this is the perfect blend of genres! (Language, sex, violence/gore, LGBTQ+, TW: Sexual assault)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Frozen 2: Dangerous Secrets by Mari Mancusi

REVIEW: Frozen 2: Dangerous Secrets by Mari Mancusi

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

As Agnarr and Iduna, the King and Queen of Arendelle, sail through storms in the Dark Sea in search of answers for their oldest daughter, they share the true story of their first meeting. Their life together was built on many secrets, but now they own their truth.

Twenty-six years earlier, Iduna was a girl, playing with the Wind Spirit on the day the Northuldra and the Arendellians would be finalizing the pact between them. Hiding and skulking around the Arendellian camp, she sees a boy about her age and hears that his name is Agnarr. She also hears his father derisively dismiss the magic of the forest.

Induna missed what started the fighting. All she knows for sure is that the Spirits are enraged. As the fighting continues, Agnarr is injured. Initially Iduna is torn between finding her family and rescuing the boy who would likely die before anyone else found him. But once she saves Agnarr, Iduna is trapped, hiding in a wagon while Arendellian soldiers accuse her people of being traitors. She can’t reveal herself or get back to her home.

Whatever will happen to her now?

Review

{Possible SPOILERS for the Frozen movies!!}

In the movie, Frozen 2, we get to see Iduna rescue Agnarr. Eventually, we also find out what really happened that day in the Enchanted Forest. But this book focuses on what happens to Agnarr and Iduna when the Forest is engulfed in a magical mist and both teens have to leave family and friends trapped inside.

On its surface, this is the love story of a future king and an orphan girl with a secret past. This book shows how secrets and emotional choke-holds become common place in the palace. Elsa is not the first person told “Conceal. Don’t feel.”

My favorite parts were the hints and connections to the movies. The author does an excellent job of weaving these pieces in naturally to serve the story. Nothing felt forced or wedged in just to have an Easter Egg here and there.

The story carries the couple through all of the familiar moments from the movies, including their final quest for answers about Elsa’s powers. The book felt supremely satisfying for this Frozen fan. I highly recommend it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Upside Down Magic: Hide and Seek

REVIEW: Upside Down Magic: Hide and Seek

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When a fifth grade spot comes open at Sage Academy, Nory’s father, the headmaster, brings her in for another audition. Thanks to her work at Dunwiddle in the UDM class, Nory displays enough control over her magic to get the spot. After winter break, she’ll be a student at Sage with her brother and sister.

Nory’s friends from Dunwiddle get the chance to check out Sage, too, when a flooding issue sends all the Dunwiddle students to alternate schools for the last few days of term.

While the UDM kids expect some trouble from the mean kids from Dunwiddle who always hassle them, they aren’t sure what to expect from the Sage kids. They are in for some surprises – maybe Nory most of all when she sees the impact Sage has on her magic.

Review

I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Each of the kids has interesting magic. But the core of the series is Nory. And this book brings Nory and her family dynamic back to the forefront.

It’s still tragically sad that Nory’s father doesn’t “get” her or really even listen to her when she expresses how she feels about Sage. At least her friends truly see and hear her.

I liked how the kids at Sage responded to the UDM kids. Sure, there were some who were sticklers for the rules. But otherwise, the Sage kids were more kind than even some of the “normal” magic kids at Dunwiddle.

A major cliffhanger at the end of this will leave fans FRANTIC for the next book in the series. (At the time of this writing, there is no release date posted for book 8, Night Owl!) Readers who love ensemble stories or middle grade fantasy as well as fans of this series should not miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

REVIEW: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Carter Kane and his dad are in London for Christmas to visit Carter’s sister, Sadie, who lives with their mom’s parents. After their mom died, the grandparents sued for custody, taking Sadie in. This left Carter to travel the world with his archaeologist father and only see his younger sister twice a year.

Going to the museum on Christmas Eve wasn’t Sadie’s idea of a great visitation plan. The whole evening had been weird. Carter and her dad had been late. There was that Amos guy who talked to their dad and then disappeared.

But all of that weird was nothing compared to the Rosetta Stone exploding in a bit of magical combat. Now their father is gone, the police are threatening to arrest them, and their uncle has magically whisked them away to Brooklyn.

Turns out, the Egyptian gods are real. And two of them are working with Carter and Sadie to help take down the evil god, Set. But the Egyptian magicians of the day don’t trust anything to do with the gods. So they, too, are trying to stop Carter and Sadie.

Review

This book is 10 years old this year, and it’s been close to that long since I read it. At my first reading, I liked the story and the characters, but I preferred Percy Jackson’s world of Greek mythology. This is written for older middle grade readers – 10 and up.

My son assigned this to me as part of our Summer Reading Challenge, and I loved getting to read it after also reading the first five Percy books this summer.

The world building here is extensive. I don’t know if the magic system in Percy Jackson is just easier, or if Greek mythology is just more familiar. But grasping the details of the Egyptian gods as well as the magic system here felt like more work than with Percy.

I did like the other differences in this book. Carter and Sadie take turns telling the story, and there’s an interesting framework for readers that is more extensive than in the first Percy books. I also liked that Carter and Sadie have two fronts for battle – the magicians who don’t trust them and then the gods. I’d like to re-read the rest of this series – The Kane Chronicles – soon. I have enjoyed the return to this world.

I had forgotten the references to racism that are sprinkled throughout the book. (Carter’s parents were an interracial couple. Carter presents as Black, and Sadie presents as white.) Considering the discussions of race and racial justice from this summer, this book felt like a timely read. Sadly, little has changed in the last 10 years.

I think it’s easy for readers to dive into Percy because it’s more well known. But kids who love mythology stories should not miss this series. In the last 10 years, Riordan has expanded into Roman mythology and Norse mythology as well as launching a publishing imprint which has explored other racial and ethnic groups. There is a beautiful library of mythology stories to choose from these days. Don’t miss the Egyptian ones in this series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½= Loved it! Would re-read

REVIEW: Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt

REVIEW: Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Eliza’s best friend, Merrilee Campbell (A Date with Darcy), is convinced their English teacher, Ms. Gregoire, is magic. But science-minded Eliza knows that is not remotely possible. Merrilee and her sister, Rory (The Boy Next Story), believe Ms. Gregoire gives students books that magically come true in their lives. But that’s ridiculous.

Not willing to take any chances, though, Eliza chooses Frankenstein as her free reading choice for class. Ms. Gregoire is reluctant to let Eliza go with that book, but Eliza is confident that its lack of romance and its emphasis on science make it the perfect choice.

As Eliza digs into the assignment, she’s also trying to keep up on her parents’ ever-increasing demands. They are world-famous scientists currently working at the South Pole. They monitor Eliza through exacting logs, a personal tracker, and the grad student they have watching her at the house. Her 89% on a recent math test has them concerned. They want her to beef up her study habits as well as add an extracurricular – from three choices they feel would be appropriate. She chooses Quiz Bowl team, not expecting to find Curtis there.

Curtis is the sophomore class’s Class Clown. He always has a joke or zinger at the ready. How is HE on the Quiz Bowl team?

Soon Eliza’s assumptions – about her English assignment, her parents’ expectations, and even Curtis – are going to be challenged in ways she can’t begin to imagine.

Review

I have been crazy for the Bookish Boyfriends series since I first heard the plot of book 1!  And this book is no exception. I’ve been eager to read Eliza’s story since Merrilee’s book. Her parents’ controlling behavior is stunning. I wanted to know more about why they were like that and why Eliza put up with it. She’s also been putting up with Curtis since the first book. So this was my chance to see that relationship explored. It was so satisfying!

Curtis and his siblings are my favorite characters from this book, although I also love the whole ensemble. But Curtis is a perfect contrast for Eliza’s controlled and controlling life. He’s fun and sweet and endearing. He’s also confident enough to ask for what he wants and stand up for his right to be treated with kindness, courtesy, and honesty. This is my favorite pair in the series – at least for today. I think I say it every time I finish a book in the series!

There is no element of anyone trying to figure out how Ms. Gregoire does what she does. And I’m loving that. They accept it as part of life and just watch to see what happens. Each book in the series so far explores two pieces of literature. The second book in this one is Anne of Green Gables.

We already know where book four – Get a Clue – is headed. I am looking forward to seeing what happens when Huck and Curtis’ brother, Win, team up to solve a mystery à la Sherlock Holmes. That is currently scheduled to release in January 2021. I already have it sitting in my online shopping cart. These are characters I already love. And a new book gives me the perfect excuse to go back and re-read the whole series over Christmas.

Fans of YA romance, especially with a lot of book love and a touch of magic, should not miss this series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥= Outstanding, Fantastic