Tag: magic

Review: The Midnight Rose by Catalina Paris

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

The Alchemyst
The Faerie
The Witch
The Warlock

Leo is a sixteen-year-old apprentice at the Alchemical Court until one night changes everything. When the castle is attacked and Leo is told to flee, he creates a new portal using the strange runes left behind in his missing master’s notebook. Arriving in the mysterious Realm of the Fey, a place long forgotten by mortals and Alchemysts alike, Leo meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help. Together they quickly learn both their worlds are under threat from the elusive Dark Alchemyst; unless they find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before he does. . Along the way they encounter Flora, a charming witch on a search for the truth of her family, as well as Leo’s former classmate, a warlock with questionable intentions, Lucien. The four of them are soon drawn together as they face numerous dangers and challenges to find and retrieve the talismans. Set in an alternative magical renaissance, The Midnight Rose is a spell-binding fantasy adventure unlike any other.

Favorite Lines:

“Each is encouraged to follow their heart’s calling from an early age…It is for the greatest benefit of the whole to have each specialize in their passion, as we value what each contributes.”

“Elegant rose bushes lined the gravel pathway, their leaves shimmering in the warm glow of the torchlight…Purple and pink fuchsias grew in abundance everywhere, hanging from baskets underneath the stone balconies.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

First off, I wanted to quickly say that I really like the cover to this book; I think it is simple and beautiful. Now, let’s get into the review – this story follows Leo who must leave his home in the Alchemical Court and begin a quest to find scrolls and talismans that will be used as protection against the Dark Wizard. I thought this was an interesting premise and creative world building however, the story was hard to follow at times. In some areas there were very detailed descriptors but in others, I felt like details that were important were just skated over.

It is obvious that Paris put a lot of thought and effort into this book and while the premise is interesting, I just wish the whole thing slowed down and flowed more smoothly. Despite all of that, I still think it was still a decent read full of magic. Hopefully the rest of the series goes into more detail on the things that were missed in this book.

Summary:

Overall, this was a creative fantasy story and I am interested to see where Paris takes this next. If you like fantasy, alchemy, action, adventure, and magic, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Midnight Rose here!

Monthly Features – April

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

The Woman Who Belonged to Stone by A.M. Burke

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: In the lands of Iridium magic teeters on the edge of extinction, each crumbling rune marking a tragic loss. With chaos looming, the king takes one last drastic step: outlawing magic.

Rowan used it as a golden opportunity to secure her family’s prosperity. Claiming the power, her father denied her. But, like a flickering flame, her carefully constructed plans crumble when news of her husband’s oncoming return begins to spread. Suddenly, she finds herself facing a treacherous web of diminished loyalties and a deadly threat that sets sights on her life.

Meanwhile, Noctis Telum, shattered by the prohibition, has spent years painstakingly rebuilding his shattered existence. His magic, once his lifeblood, has been cruelly denied, scattering his loved ones across the realm. Yet, with the unexpected death of his oldest friend and the enigmatic return of Delilah, Noctis must accept it’s time to reclaim his purpose and confront the ghosts of his past.

In a realm teetering on the edge of darkness, where fates intertwine amidst a world deprived of enchantment, the stage is set for redemption, treachery, and unyielding determination. Explore the depths of mysticism and discover the key to unlocking the secrets that could save a fractured world.

Summary: Overall, I am excited to see where this series goes next! If you’re a fan of fantasy, adventure, action, mystery, and magic then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: The Woman Who Belonged to Stone
Purchase here

 

Dissonance: Volume II: Reckoning by Aaron Ryan

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Sergeant Cameron “Jet” Shipley lost everyone to the gorgons and has lost faith in the integrity of his own Command. But Cameron’s loss didn’t stop there. In a world rife with apocalyptic danger, it has become painfully apparent that humanity is still, even in the very throes of annihilation, at war with itself.

Finding himself a prisoner and eventual outlaw at the hands of those whom he once trusted most, Cameron must put his fate in the hands of his trusted confidants Lieutenant Allison Trudy, Private Liam “Fox” Mayfield, and Sergeant Joseph Bassett once more, endangering their very lives and freedom, as they and others come to his aid to join in the inevitable revolt against those in power who fail to see the truth: power corrupts, even on the very brink of extinction.

Shipley and his team must race against time to find compatriots who share their views, amassing support against the true foe. All the while, they must evade a merciless alien species that will not stop until the earth’s resources are drained dry, reducing it to a barren wasteland. In their quest for truth, they must remember one simple tenet as it pertains to the gorgons:

“One look, and it’s all over.”

Summary: Overall, if you like science fiction, aliens, the battle of good vs. evil, dystopian worlds, action, and adventure, then this book could be for you! 

See the full review here: Dissonance: Volume II: Reckoning
Purchase here

 

Review: The Woman Who Belonged to Stone by A.M. Burke

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

In the lands of Iridium magic teeters on the edge of extinction, each crumbling rune marking a tragic loss. With chaos looming, the king takes one last drastic step: outlawing magic.

Rowan used it as a golden opportunity to secure her family’s prosperity. Claiming the power, her father denied her. But, like a flickering flame, her carefully constructed plans crumble when news of her husband’s oncoming return begins to spread. Suddenly, she finds herself facing a treacherous web of diminished loyalties and a deadly threat that sets sights on her life.

Meanwhile, Noctis Telum, shattered by the prohibition, has spent years painstakingly rebuilding his shattered existence. His magic, once his lifeblood, has been cruelly denied, scattering his loved ones across the realm. Yet, with the unexpected death of his oldest friend and the enigmatic return of Delilah, Noctis must accept it’s time to reclaim his purpose and confront the ghosts of his past.

In a realm teetering on the edge of darkness, where fates intertwine amidst a world deprived of enchantment, the stage is set for redemption, treachery, and unyielding determination. Explore the depths of mysticism and discover the key to unlocking the secrets that could save a fractured world.

Favorite Lines:

“You’re married aren’t you? Is being married good?” “It can be the most wonderful thing in the world and it can be the worst”.

“How do you feel? Milady?” “Like death brought to life.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Can I just start off by saying that I love this book’s cover art? I think it is just beautiful! This story follows two storylines with both Rowan and Noctis Telum. Rowan seizes the opportunity that her father denied her – to wield magic  – but quickly has her plans begin to fall apart when her husband returns home unexpectedly which launches her into a world of confusion and danger. Noctis Telum was once a great master of magic and he now struggles with the prohibition of it. We follow him as he struggles to come to terms with his past and find purpose for his future.

I thought the concept and world building of this story were really interesting. There are themes of love, intrigue, sacrifice, redemption, and what things truly cost throughout. I thought the characters were well written, if a bit dramatic, but personally that drama furthered the entertainment for me. The only thing I will warn about is that Burke is kind enough to leave us with a cliffhanger!

Summary:

Overall, I am excited to see where this series goes next! If you’re a fan of fantasy, adventure, action, mystery, and magic then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

The Woman Who Belonged to Stone

 

Review: The Essence of Magic by Michelle Ermens

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Hunted by strange creatures,

Desperate to protect her family,

Will finding magic help her keep them safe?

Thera has always known that she’s different from her loving human family. However, that would mean that she’s one of the specials, beings of legends – but how could it be, when no human has seen them for hundreds of years?

A visit from a masked stranger who warns her of danger, and an attack on her village shatter the life that she knew. She’s forced to flee with her mother and younger siblings and has no other choice but to enter special territory – a very dangerous place for humans to be.

They find temporary shelter in the home of a special named Raven, but they need more than temporary shelter. She needs a way to keep her family truly safe, she needs to be strong enough to be the one to protect them. The only way to do that might be to find the Magic’s Source and get some magic of her own.

Will she dare to seek it out? And if she does, what kind of magic will she receive? And will it be enough to keep her family safe?

Favorite Lines:

“I can sit in a library and learn from books whenever I want, but right now, I want to learn more about life and who I want to be, and I feel I can do that a lot better if I go with you.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book  from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m a sucker for fantasy stories and this book was no exception. Featuring a strong, brave main character with other lively, unique characters scattered throughout, Ermens did a good job bringing this story to life. There was also a major emphasis on family throughout the book which I think can get lost in other books but Ermens did a great job at holding true to the theme of family and the dynamics that take place in them.

This book had me hooked pretty early on; it doesn’t waste time introducing you to some action and mystery However, I will admit that this book wasn’t quite what I thought it was going to be, especially with more emphasis on character dynamics than I am used to but it was still an interesting story nonetheless. I also felt that the ending was a bit abrupt. The ending left room for more in the series but I felt like the scene was cut short mid-thought almost.

Summary:

Overall, if you like fantasy, magic, mystery, action, strong main characters, and family, then this book may be for  you. Happy reading!

The Essence of Magic