Tag Archives: magic

A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden – a Review

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A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden – a Review

 

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Description:
They must save the world—but can they also save each other?

Kane Ravenwood, King of Onyx Kingdom, would go to the ends of the continent for Arwen Valondale, but what if she’s beyond even that? Broken in ways he never imagined he could be, Kane must find a way to fulfill the prophecy and kill his father, Fae King Lazarus. And after what he’s endured, he’s willing to save Evendell by whatever means necessary—even if that spells his own death.

Little does Kane know, he’s not the only one fighting for revenge. Arwen is no longer afraid to fight—no sacrifice is too great, no enemy too daunting. Now, nothing will stop her from destroying Lazarus and his allies, because she knows if she fails, both realms will be doomed forever.

 

Review:

A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden is the 3rd and final book in her The Sacred Stones romantasy trilogy.  This picks up a few weeks after the end of A Promise of Peridot, with Arwen captured by Lazarus.  Arwen fears Lazarus, as he plans on making her have children as his blood heir; she has been unable to escape, with Lazarus making sure guards are constantly watching her.

Kane, thinking that Arwen is dead, is determined to find the Blade that will kill his father, Lazarus. He leaves behind his team, to find his father; and while sneaks in at the ball, he is shocked to see Arwen, dressed to the hilt, and alive. Kane rescues Arwen, and together they manage to escape and find their way home; to gather their soldiers, and hopefully negotiate with other alliances.

Kane and Arwen return to the Rose Kingdom, with Mari, Griffin, Briar and others that are surprised and happy to see that Arwen is alive. They will need all the help they can get to fight the war against Lazarus.  Arwen (the last full fae blooded born), is destined to kill Lazarus, accepting her fate in a prophecy meant to be her doom; but Kane plans on getting the Blade and ensuring that he is the one who will kill his father, and answer the prophecy of his death.

Arwen becomes so much stronger and a badass (she becomes a Phoenix), believing in herself, and her powers, as well as her confidence and outlook on her life.   Kane loves Arwen so much, that he will do anything to keep her safe. I really loved how much both Arwen and Kane love each other. Great couple. I really liked the found family vibes, with so many of the wonderful characters, such as Mari, Griffin, Dagan, Briar, Wyn, just to name a few. 

What follows is an intense, non- stop action, dragons, war and spice.  Kane is determined to find the Blade that will kill his father and protect Arwen. The last 1/4 of the book was full of adventure, danger, intrigue, fast-paced, twists and turns, with an epic battle at the end.  I was unable to put the book down, as it kept my attention throughout. It was also emotional, as well as steamy; with Kane and Arwen being together.

This was a wonderful romantasy, with the war, exciting, non-stop action filled; and romantic side with the emotional love and spice. The climax and epilogue were great, especially with Kane and Arwen together. A Reign of Rose was so very well written by Kate Golden. I hope that Kate Golden will give us more into this unique world; perhaps Mari/Griffin, Hart Renwick or Aleksander.  Let’s hope, as I do want more.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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SCARS OF HIS WRATH (Myth of Omega: Wrath 1) by Zoey Ellis-review

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SCARS OF HIS WRATH (Myth of Omega: Wrath 1) by Zoey Ellis-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 26, 2024

Bound by fate to the man she’s sworn to defy.

Revered for her magical ability, Naya is the most treasured omega in her parents’ empire. Her birth marked the arrival of peace in the land, and her people eagerly await her reign.

But Naya is haunted by a tragedy.

Finding her mate is the key to banishing the shadows plaguing her. Yet no matter how hard she searches, Naya can’t find the one who ignites the profound attraction her mate is destined to arouse.

Then one night, she is stolen.

Akoro, an alpha dominated by vengeance and violence, takes her to a distant land where her powers are useless. A cold-hearted king, he demands she help him conquer her empire.

Naya vows to safeguard her people, but she is horrified when Akoro awakens the primal craving that confirms he is her true mate.

Devastated, she endures his cruelty and growing obsession with her, certain they could never be together.

But Akoro has scars of his own.

His secrets might help her oppose him, but as she digs deeper, the desire between them erupts into an irresistible, heated torment.

••••

REVIEW: SCARS OF HIS WRATH is the first instalment in Zoey Ellis’ adult MYTH OF OMEGA: WRATH dark, erotic, fantasy series focusing on Alpha Akoro, and Omega Naya.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Akoro and Naya) SCARS OF HIS WRATH follows Princess Nayara Andaus aka Naya, a twenty five year old Omega, wielder of powerful magic but a woman without a true mate or a will to move on from the past. Abducted by a stranger from the forest she loves, Naya finds herself a prisoner, tortured and abused, a prisoner who is about to face her future in the guise of Alpha Akoro, a man who is determined to destroy her body and soul. Akoro and his army have set their sights on Naya’s lands, seeking vengeance for sins of the past, sins that continue to destroy the people and lands Akora inhabits. What ensues is the acrimonious relationship between Akoro and Naya, and the fall-out as Naya is about to become a pawn in a war between Akoro and the people Naya loves.

The world building is detailed and dark. The reader is pulled into a desolate landscape where nothing is able to survive, as our heroine struggles to remain herself in spite of what is happening around her including the torture meant to break her will.

The relationship between Akora and Naya is tempestuous at best. Naya is Akoro’ s prisoner, treated with disdain by the man who is about to claim Naya as his mate. Naya is nothing more than the key to Agora’s revenge, and in this, Naya is about to sacrifice to save the people she loves. The $ex scenes are intense and not without questionable consent or tenderness.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters most of whom bow down to Alpha Akoro. Magic is a part of both worlds, and in this, each character is imbued with a speciality and gift that can be used including dark and light magic.

SCARS OF HIS WRATH is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, magic and mayhem. The premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are powerful, magical and determined; the romance is non-existent-Akoro takes from Naya whenever he wants.SCARS OF HIS WRATH ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa – a Review

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Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa – a Review

 

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Description:
In a world in the clouds where only the rich own dragons, a poor boy named Remy finds a wild baby dragon—believed to be extinct—and becomes the focus of an evil pirate’s vengeance.

REMY spends his days trying to survive the mean streets of Cutthroat Wedge—one of the many islands floating in the gravitational pull of the magical Maelstrom raging below. But his life changes forever when a violent storm brings a baby dragon to his doorstep, and he feels a bond he has never felt with anyone. Remy names the dragon Storm and vows to protect this new friend, no matter the cost. 

GEM longs for the day when she call herself a true mage. That is, if she can convince her teachers and peers that just because she’s a princess doesn’t mean she’s lazy and spoiled. But when Gem learns that the floating islands that make up her kingdom are rapidly sinking into the Maelstrom, she makes it her mission to save her world. Against the king’s wishes, she accesses forbidden research and discovers the secret to saving humanity may lie in a True Dragon—a dragon capable of intelligent thought and able to cast and use magic. But True Dragons are extinct . . . aren’t they?

Remy’s and Gem’s lives will never be the same when their fates collide, thanks to Storm. With an evil pirate mage named Jhaeros determined to claim the rare dragon for himself, the two must learn to trust in each other as they team up with a shifty pirate captain and her crew, stand together against impossible odds, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

 

 

Review:

Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa is the first book in her new Storm Dragons series. The story revolves around two main characters; Remy, a street urchin who survives the dangerous streets of Cutthroat Wedge and Gem, a princess, who lives a life of privilege.

We meet young Remy, who has no family left, living in the family’s small poor house, and finding ways to to survive. He often hangs out at the local pub and talks to Bart, an old storyteller who shares his stories about dragons. Remy’s life will change forever, when a powerful magical storm will drop a baby dragon by his doorstep. He names the baby dragon, Storm, and quicky he feels a bond and will do everything to protect the dragon.  But Remy needs to hide Storm, as an evil pirate, Jhaeros is turning the town upside down to find the dragon.

Gem, is a princess, who attends the College of Magic, hoping to become a true mage. She overhears that the floating islands that make up her kingdom are slowly sinking. While in the library, Gem finds some details about Ancient Ones, which could help restore the magic. Determined to get more information, Gem, without her father’s approval goes in search to find Sir Bartello, the last person who had contact with a True Dragon. Can Sir Bartello help fix the storm crystals to save the kingdom? Gem takes her white dragon, Cloud on an adventure to seek help.

Remy does his best to help hide Storm, and his constantly finding food for him. Bart will find Remy and Storm, and decide to help them, bringing them to his home, which has caves to hide Storm.  But with the pirate Jhaeros offering large sums of money, the danger escalates, and when Remy learns that the pirate is going after Bart, he knows he has to save him, which would mean giving up Storm.

Gem is heading for Cutthroat Wedge with Cloud, and when a terrible storm hits, a pirate ship beckons her to come to safety, where she will meet Captain Cutlass.  The Captain (a lady pirate) is very fair, and is willing to help Gem find Sir Bertello, knowing who Gem is (princess) and her help will get her some gifts, after this adventure is over.   When they get to the island, they learn that Jhaeros has captured the baby dragon as well as Bart (Sir Bertello), as they just left. Gem begs Captain Cutlass to follow the ship, Windshark, and Remy who is nearby, offers his help, as his bond can help find Storm.

What follows is an exciting, intense and wild ride to rescue Storm and Bart.  Gem and Remy will slowly trust each other, to save Storm as well as Bart.  Together with Gem discussing with Captain Cutlass a plan for Remy and her to get on the ship, while the Captain finds ways to distract those on the Windstark.  It was a wild ride, that had us holding our breath.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as you need to read this book to see what happens.

Lighningborn was an exciting start to the first book in the Storm Dragons series; it was fast paced action and suspense throughout.  I did like Remy; but I liked Gem even more; she was not only brave, determined with a strong personality.  I loved Storm. Lighntingborn was so very well written by Julie Kawaga. I look forward the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen – a Review

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The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

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Description:
Some shadows protect you…others will kill you in this dazzling new fantasy series from award-winning author Abigail Owen.

Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her. I’ve been living under the guise of a poor, obscure girl of no standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess when danger is present.

Now the queen is dead and the ageless King Eidolon has sent my sister a gift—an eerily familiar gift—and a proposal to wed. I don’t trust him, so I do what I was born to do and secretly take her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when a figure made of shadow kidnaps the new queen, he gets me by mistake.

As I try to escape, all the lies start to unravel. And not just my lies. The Shadowraith who took me has secrets of his own. He struggles to contain the shadows he wields—other faces, identities that threaten my very life.

Winter is at the walls. Darkness is looming. And the only way to save my sister and our dominion is to kill Eidolon…and the Shadowraith who has stolen my heart.

Enemies to lovers ✔️
Kidnapping ✔️
Magic ✔️
Adventure ✔️
Secrets ✔️

 

 

Review :

The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen is a standalone YA Fantasy.  There are a few triggers, so read the warnings.  As soon as I see this author has a new book, I’m there. The cover is gorgeous (I’m thinking I might need a paperback for my shelves) ? Abigail Owen knows how to write paranormal romance (please look at her Inferno Rising/Fire’s Edge series).  Balancing the plot and romance is always tricky. Writing for a YA (Young Adult) audience when a lot of your books aren’t YA takes skill. So enough about the author, let’s get down to the book…..

Meren is a twin (the younger one) and as tradition states her life is to be in the shadows, she’s there to protect her sibling (if danger arises Meren is expected to sacrifice herself!) so her confidence in herself is nonexistent, she chafes at her role in life, but there isn’t anything she can do about it….

But Meren does escape the Ivory tower she’s locked away in (to Meren it’s more like a dungeon.) She wanders the streets at night whilst wearing different disguises.

The plot is skilfully layered with twists/turns and OMG moments…. As you read the book, things become clearer and a few things make sense. The descriptions in this book place you right in the moment, you can smell the streets that Meren visits, you can see the grandeur of the palace, and you witness King Eidolon’s sickness/madness.

King Eidolon is after Meren’s sister Tabra, so she does the job she was born to do, she stands in her place, and becomes King Eidolon’s bride! (I wouldn’t trust this guy an inch) But before the wedding takes place, Meren is kidnapped!!

Reven is a complex character, essentially good, but his secret makes him reluctant to be actually good?! His character has plenty of conflicting emotions and motivations. And he certainly gets more than he bargained for when he kidnaps the wrong princess!!

And then we have Cain ? and in the world’s I read why can’t she have both ??

The characters have a hard time trusting one another as they travel through this story. Kidnappers are usually nice people, so when does the kidnapper become protector? (You’ll need to read the book?)

Can Meren save her sister from the clutches of Eidolon? Can she figure out what Eidolon really wants? Can she be the hero in this story? And can I get the next book please.

I wouldn’t say it’s a cliffhanger ending, but it does leave us and the characters wondering where this will take us next…..

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

 

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Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin – a Review

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Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin – a Review

 

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Description:
When eighteen-year-old witch Iris Gray accidentally enacts a curse that could have dire consequences, she must team up with a boy who hates witches to make sure her magic isn’t unleashed on the world.

Iris Gray knows witches aren’t welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches’ Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they’re keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.

Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she’s about to dispel it, a bird swoops down and steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed―and the bird is a powerful amplifier, and unleashing the curse would turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.

New witches have no idea how to control their magic and the consequences would be dire. And the Witches’ Council does not look kindly on multiple offenses; if they found out, Iris could be stripped of her magic for good. Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest looking for a single bird that could destroy everything.

 

Review:

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin is another one of her excellent Fantasy novels. The story centers on Iris Gray, a young witch, who lives with her mom in Washington, as they run a wildlife refuge. Iris and her mom are both witches, who have elemental abilities, especially to heal with their magic. Iris, having recently been cleared by the witch council, of wrongdoing by a friend, tries not to let anyone know she is a witch.  She does love her magical powers, always helping with healing and the climate.  Pike Alder, works at the refuge with Iris, and she hates him, as he is arrogant, and hates witches, though he doesn’t know she is one.

When Pike constantly infuriates her, she decides on her own to create a curse for him, which will turn him into a witch; only to be sidetracked when an injured owl flies in front of her, when she releases the curse, which enters the owl.  Iris must find a way to get the owl, to remove the curse, especially if the injured owl dies, it will affect Pike and others.

With her mother’s insistence, Iris and Pike head out to the woods to find the injured Owl, though he does not know about the curse. As they hike to find the owl, their constant bickering changes, when Pike begins to grow on Iris, and an enemy to lovers’ romance begins.  It was fun to watch them, and I really began to like Pike more, when he was always there for Iris when she had her anxiety attacks. I did enjoy Iris’s mother and her girlfriend, Sarah. The story escalated as Iris was desperate to find the owl, and save Pike. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and I do not want to ruin it for you.

Wild is the Witch was an emotional story, that had a bit of everything; forgiveness, family, anxiety, romance, witches and elemental magic. I really loved Iris and Pike’s slow burn romance.   The last third of the book was very exciting, keeping me glued to my kindle.   Wild is the Witch was very well written by Rachel Griffin.  If you enjoy elemental magic, climate and witches, I suggest you read this book.

 

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Description:
For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic. All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.

In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It’s wild and volatile, and the price of her magic―losing the ones she loves―is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.

In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she’s the only one who can make a difference.

In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she’s terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.

In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves… before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.

 

Review:

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin is a standalone Fantasy novel. The story centers on witches, who for centuries, help maintain the climate, using their elemental powers. The Nature of Witches is a different kind of fantasy, based on the unique abilities for all the witches who were born to perform their magic in controlling the climate for each of the seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Our heroine, Clara Densmore, attends a magical academy to hone her skills, with many young witches being trained, but each of their strengths are for a season only.  Clara is an Everwitch, the only person in many years, who can control all seasons.  With the climate beginning to falter, the onus on teaching Clara how to control her powers has become imperative. Clara feels her powers are too wild and volatile, and doesn’t really want to use it, as she lost her parents and a friend to the magic, which she feels always points to those she loves.  With the climate becoming erratic, another trainer and his assistant comes to train Clara; as the importance of her learning to control her magic becomes more imperative when other seasonal witches are dying.

We meet Sang, a spring witch, who is a botanist, as well as the assistant of the lead trainer, and is assigned to train Clara, using his ability to calm her fiery nature.  I totally loved Sang, as he was sweet, caring and amazing in working with Clara.  In a short time, Clara begins to have feelings for Sang, who has done wonders in training her. Their slow burn romance escalates, causing Clara to worry about using her powers, which could hurt Sang. Will she walk away from her feelings for Sang, to protect him?

The Nature of Witches was a wonderful fantasy novel, that had a bit of everything; mystery, thriller, romance and the elemental magic detailing all the changes in the weather conditions. I really loved Clara and Sang together, as well as some of the other secondary characters, including Paige.  The last third of the books was very exciting, keeping me glued to my kindle.   The Nature of Witches was very well written by Rachel Griffin.  If you enjoy elemental magic, climate and witches, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copies provided by Publisher

 

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When Stars Come Out by Scarlett St. Clair -a Review

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When Stars Come Out by Scarlett St. Clair -a Review

 

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Description:
Anora Silby can see the dead and turn spirits into gold coins, two things she would prefer to keep secret as she tries to lead a normal life at her new school. After all, she didn’t change her identity for nothing.

As it turns out, hiding her weirdness is just one of many challenges. By the end of her first day, she’s claimed the soul of a dead girl on campus and lost the coin. Turns out, the coin gives others the ability to steal souls, and when a classmate ends up dead, there’s no mistaking the murder weapon.

Navigating the loss of her Poppa, her mother’s mistrust, and Roundtable, an anonymous student gossip app threatening to expose her, are hard enough. Now she must find the person who stole her coin before more lives are lost, but that means making herself a target for the Order, an organization that governs the dead on Earth — and they want Anora and her powers for themselves

 

 

Review:

When Stars Come Out by Scarlett St. Clair is the first book in her new YA series, When Stars Come Out.  After having finished this book, I was thrilled that this was a new series, as I really enjoyed this book, and its heroine, Anora.

Anora Silby, our heroine, moved to Oklahoma with her mother, after an incident in New York; and now she has a new identity and attends her first day at her new school. Anora can secretly see the dead, and turns their spirits to gold coins that will free their soul move on; she was hoping for a normal life, and on day one she runs into a dead girl on campus.  Anora was able to claim the soul, but she lost the coin, which stops the soul from moving forward, as well as enable someone who finds the coin, to steal other souls. Trying not to be suspicious while meeting new class mates, Anora is worried and determined to find the missing coin.

She meets many of her new classmates, especially the cute Shy, whom she immediately finds herself crushing him.  Shy is friends with Natalie and Jacobi, whom are suspicious of Anora; but she also befriends Lennon, Lily and Thane.  Who can she really trust? When one of her classmates is found dead, Anora knows that someone has found the coin, and is using it to create chaos; she is determined to find the person, and at the same time, learn how to use her growing powers.

We also learn about the Order, who are raven hybrids, in charge of protecting the town. Shy and Natalie begin to suspect that Anora is the Eurydice, who sees the dead and is able to summon open the gates to send them through to the underworld.  Is Anora really the Eurydice?

What follows is an exciting, at times tense story as Anora doesn’t know who to trust, and finds herself facing various creatures, and evil, as she becomes the target.  I really did like when all of sudden hellhounds decided to watch over and protect Anora; there were also witches, occultists, and half human/hybrid evils. When Stars Come Out was a terrific fast paced, exciting YA urban fantasy, with a wonderful heroine, great characters and a slow burn romance. When Stars Come Out was so very well written by Scarlett St. Clair, and I cannot wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

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Description:
A boyfriend who’s missing. Or was. . . Or is. . . A boat full of old bones. A community ice cream social. A friend in trouble, a spiteful witch, and an angry villain. The mysteries and fun abound in Destiny Falls. Hayden, Latifa, and their family and friends are up for the excitement and adventure.

Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones follows the series format of combining two stories that blend into one. A murder mystery and the island mystery.

The Island Mystery: Hayden’s boyfriend Han is missing. But she swears she saw him zoom by in his car. She’d thought it was a surprise, and that he was home early from his secret service case. She was wrong. The surprise is that his signal isn’t pinging, and no one knows where he is. There appears to be black magic behind his disappearance. Can they learn who’s responsible and bring Han safely home?

The Murder Mystery: A pile of old bones is found in an ancient fishing boat. They could be tied to the disappearance of two young women years ago, back when many of the Destiny Falls people where in high school. Many of the citizens had bad history with the students. Do the bones belong to them, and what happened? Were they murdered? And could the murderer be living among them?

Hayden and Latifa’s many adventures in Destiny Falls will keep you guessing with each book in this fun and intriguing series.

 

 

Review:

Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones by Elizabeth Pantley is the 6th book in her fun Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic series.  Refresher: Hayden, who now fully lives in Destiny Falls with her talking cat, Latifa, and is happy in her new magical world, being a member of her powerful Caldwell family, as well as many new friends, and boyfriend, Han. 

Hayden’s boyfriend, Han is missing at the start, and she calls in her friends to help find him; he suddenly reappears, not remembering where he had been.  Hayden and family recognize that Han’s disappearance was the work of black magic, especially with his appearance having changed, making him stronger and built. When Han continues to disappear and reappear, Hayden learns he has been cursed by the evil Lazarus, and she must find a way to save Han.

There is another mystery that revolves around a pile of old bones found on an ancient boat. During the investigation, it is confirmed that it ties to the disappearance of two young girls thirty years ago.  Hayden is in the middle of both investigations, as she uncovers dark secrets of the past, as well as her friends and family helping support her in finding how to pull Han from control of the evil Lazarus; she learns what is necessary from both Gasper and Bob (the Olm).

Hayden and her brother Axel have settled into their role of being conduits on Destiny Falls.  I love Hayden’s wonderful family and friends who are always there for her, and of course our wonderful Latifa (her cat) and the Secret Cat Society.  It is always fun to watch and listen to the cats, Latifa, Chanel, Marshmellow and Lola.  Cute.

Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones was another delightful lighthearted mystery, in the magical and charming enchanted realm, Destiny Falls. This is a fun cozy murder fantasy whodunit, that was intriguing and kept our attention from start to finish.  The characters are all interesting and unique, especially the cats who help solve the crimes. I look forward to the next book by Elizabeth Pantley, that is always fun to read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

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Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez – a Review

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Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez – a Review

 

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Description:
Eighteen-year-old Zarela Zalvidar is a talented flamenco dancer and daughter of the most famous Dragonador in Hispalia. People come for miles to see her father fight in their arena, which will one day be hers.

But disaster strikes during their five hundredth anniversary show, and in the carnage, Zarela’s father is horribly injured. Facing punishment from the Dragon Guild, Zarela must keep the arena—her ancestral home and inheritance —safe from their greedy hands. She has no choice but to take her father’s place as the next Dragonador. When the infuriatingly handsome dragon hunter, Arturo Díaz de Montserrat, withholds his help, she refuses to take no for an answer.

But even if he agrees, there’s someone out to ruin the Zalvidar family, and Zarela will have to do whatever it takes in order to prevent the Dragon Guild from taking away her birthright.

An ancient city plagued by dragons. A flamenco dancer determined to save her ancestral home. A dragon hunter refusing to teach her his ways. They don’t want each other, but they need each other, and without him her world will burn.

 

  

Review:

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez is a standalone fantasy novel.  Zarela Zalvidar, our heroine, is only 18 years old, who is a popular flamenco dancer; her mother was the best flamenco dancer, until she was tragically killed by a dragon years ago.  Zarela works closely with her father, considered the best Dragonador, who fights and kills dragons.  When disaster strikes, her father is badly injured, as someone opened the doors allowing dragons to escape; she is determined to find out who sabotaged them.  Zarela is a wonderful heroine, who will do anything to try and save the family business, as well as their reputation.  She has to face many obstacles to try and get the association to help, but she is turned down at every turn.

Arturo, our hero, was a former Dragonador,  and now a Tamer of Dragons, comes across as tough and brooding; he hunts dragons and tries to train them.  Arturo, does not believe in killing the dragons for entertainment. When Zarela tries to hire him to help train her, and be a tamer, they both get off on the wrong foot.   This is certainly a wonderful enemy to lover’s story line, that will take some time for them to team up together.  I really loved their complicated relationship, with Arturo being cold and nasty early on; but he is also fighting off his new found feelings for the lovely Zarela; with the chemistry between them escalating.  The banter between them was fun, as we watch how Arturo slowly changes as he grows closer to Zarela; and her passion for him grows.

What follows is an amazing and very different kind of fantasy, that was unique, magical, intriguing, betrayals, and romance; with a wonderful couple we rooted hard for, despite all the complications. I really loved Zarela and Arturo together; and some of the secondary characters were great, especially Lola.  There was also a surprising villain, who turned out to be very evil.

Together We Burn was a wonderful and exciting story, with a bit of everything; dragons, dance with dragons, dangerous situations, politicians threatening to destroy the family, as well as a number of twists.  Together We Burn was so very well written by Isabel Ibanez.  If you are a fantasy fan, I suggest to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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