Tag Archives: Sarah Hawley

Princess of Blood (The Shards of Magic) by Sarah Hawley- a Review

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Princess of Blood (The Shards of Magic) by Sarah Hawley- a Review

 

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Description:
Kenna Heron is still reeling from her lover’s betrayal and the threat of an impending war. With only her two closest–and most powerless–friends by her side, she must navigate the treacherous politics of Mistei while coming to terms with her new identity as not just Fae, but princess of her own house.

With the king dead, three candidates are vying for the right to wear the crown next. A princess who claims the throne as her birthright and two rebel princes, both of whom are depending on the support of Blood House to break the stalemate between them. Old loyalties fray as new, dangerous alliances form, and Kenna finds herself caught in a web of violence, deceit, and unexpected passion.

Kenna has the power to shape Mistei’s future… but someone’s willing to kill to make sure she never gets the chance.

 

 

Review:

Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley is the second book in her The Shards of Magic fantasy.  Kenna Heron has now newly turned fae, as she merges as the head of new house, as she is the Princess of the Blood House.  Kenna is armed with Caedo, a talking dagger, with a thirst for blood; as well as her two friends, Lara and Anya. Kenna knows she needs to get more people to come to live at the Blood House, with her trying to rebuild, manage it, step into the role of the a a royal court leader; as well as she will cast the vote for the for the new realm. Kenna also brings two of her human best friends to help her rebuild.

Kenna struggles to embrace her new identity as the princess of her own house. Her courage makes her impossible to ignore the other houses, with so much betrayal and deception: the inner houses play each other in royal court, with politics & threats. What makes Kenna good, is that she wants to help people, she is generous, kind and trying to change things in fae society. Kenna was caught between voting for Hector (Kallen’s brother) and Drustan, as well as many others who wanted to change everything.

I really liked Kenna and Kallen’s friendship that continued to grow.  Kallen was determined to teach Kenna how to fight their sparring matches, learn dancing, and together they did a lot of spying.  Kallen wanted to protect her, as he knew he was devoted to her; though he was buried with anxieties and traumas of his life.  Soon their slow burn romance grew.  It was also nice to see Kenna and Lara’s friendship blossom.

Princess of Blood was intriguing, tense, torture, violence, sexual abuse and self-harm.  The romance that was developing between Kenna and Kallen was filled with passion.  I have to say that this epic ending was wild, and dangerous throughout.  Princess of Blood was so very well written by Sarah Hawley; which was part of The Shards of Magic fantasy.   I can’t wait for the next book, which will have me desperate to wait to see what happens next.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley – a Review

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Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley – a Review

 

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Description:
In the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything.

Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say “half feral”—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court.

Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant.

With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness.

Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will… but even that may not be enough.

 

 

Review:

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley is the first book in her new The Shards of Magic series.   I loved this book from start to finish, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. We meet our heroine, Kenna Heron, who is human, and every 6 years the Fae, 4 women are selected to live a life of luxury within the faerie land of Mistei. Kenna’s best friend was one of those selected, and she goes out of her way to follow the selected, only to find out their lives are in danger; with the 4 missing, Kenna becomes trapped in Mistei to become a handmaiden to the heir of Earth House.

Kenna slowly becomes close to Princess Lara, especially trying to help her survive the dangerous and deadly trials, which each house will need to complete the six trials, to get immortality and magic. Each of the faerie houses are, Fire, Earth, Light, Illusion and Blood. Kenna was strong, in her ability to fight others secretly for Lara, using her cunning intellection in facing grueling and magical tests, as well as monsters; but her sentient dagger was her strongest ally, talking to her mentally; and always needing blood from the victims. 

Kenna will find herself caught up in a secret rebellion against the sadistic King Osric.  She begins to have strong feelings for the rebellion’s leader, Drusten, Fire Prince, which will change as we get closer to the end.  Void Prince, Kellan early on managed to get Kenna to discover the secrets he wants to know about; though as truths are revealed, the real culprit becomes a dangerous enemy. This was a very dark story, that is filled with twists, romance, intrigue, betrayal and an evil cruel King.

Servant of Earth was a fantastic story that kept me unable to put the book down, with an exciting plot that had friendship, rebellion, spice, alliances, politics, danger, magic and secrets. Servant of Earth was so very well written by Sarah Hawley.  Kenna was a fantastic heroine, helping to survive the trials and finding a way to overthrow the evil king.  I cannot wait for the next book.  I suggest you read Servant of Earth, as it was a terrific read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley-a Review

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A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley-a Review

 

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Description:
Mariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what’s a witch to do when he won’t leave her side—and she kind of doesn’t want him to?

Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.

Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can’t leave Mariel’s side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).

But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she’s dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she’ll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.

 

 

Review:

A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley is a fun paranormal romantic standalone novel.  The setting is in Glimmer Falls, a small town filled with charming characters and magic, as well as the town being supernatural with other creatures living there too.

We meet, Mariel Spark, our heroine and witch, who has been prophesied to become the most powerful witch in the powerful Spark family.  Unfortunately, to the displeasure of her family (all witches), Mariel loves gardening, making potions and practicing spells. While practicing, Mariel unsuccessfully summons flour or a chicken that explodes, and then to her horror, she accidently summons a demon.

Ozroth the Ruthless (Oz) is the demon, and he is determined for her to offer her anything to give him her soul.  Mariel doesn’t plan on giving him her soul, and since he refuses to leave until he convinces her; so, they are both stuck with each other. Oz follows Mariel wherever she goes, and to hide that he is a demon, she tells her family, he is her boyfriend.  In a short time, Oz senses how powerful Mariel is, not to mention how beautiful, smart, caring she is, and despite his needing a soul, to his surprise he finds himself falling for her; though demons do not fall for humans.  Mariel begins to have feelings for Oz, and their relationship becomes steamy, especially hiding from her family that he is a demon.  Oz tries to convince her that she is very powerful, and needs to rise above her family’s constant downgrading her.

What follows is an enemy to lovers’ story that is fun, cute, entertaining, enjoyable, and many hysterical moments.  The banter between Oz and Mariel, as well as her two friends, were so much fun.  It was wonderful to watch the chemistry between them heat up, and eventually they made a great couple. I really loved how Oz would support her always, especially with her toxic family, as well as the politics threatening to destroy the local lands. The ending was sort of a surprise and emotional.  A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon was well written by Sarah Hawley.  If you like Paranormal, Romance and a fun laugh out loud story, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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