Tag Archives: YA

Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

Posted on by
15

Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM

Description:
The Card Holder tournament is no more.

A year after the tragedy that befell the Queen of Hearts Domain, Neela finds herself living an alternate life of ease and happiness, a life where all her memories of pain, suffering, and loss didn’t exist.

After being thrust back into her cruel reality, Neela discovers the truth behind the harrowing events of the past year. Most importantly, she learns of her disturbing connection to the crimson-eyed rogue leader and assumes her role in a development far more momentous than the Card Holder tournament could ever be.

The pressure within Neela builds as she struggles to accept her position in a branched prophecy. Balancing the physical and mental burdens constantly assaulting her is seemingly impossible as the tragedies of the past continue to fill her heart with sinking trepidation.

One more devastating loss can either send her over the edge or strengthen her resolve in yet another grand inevitability.

 

Card Holders Series:

Red Blood #1
Two more Lives #2
Final Loss #3

 


Review:

Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi is the third book in her Card Holders series. I’ve read and loved the two previous books, which you will need to read in order for this book to make any sense. But this one is my favourite in the series (although there are a few moments I didn’t like)!  I don’t want to give too much away, so excuse my vagueness in places.

Neela is living a peaceful life, a new name and life (you’ll find out why without me telling you ?) but it’s not long before she’s plunged back into her old life and battles!!

With this book we briefly retell books one and two (enough information without wasting pages). Secondary characters are still amazing and all are necessary for to the story.

Fast paced action, romance thrown in here and there, and don’t forget the friendships that Neela had acquired along the way, some of them old friends some of them are new ones, and sadly we’ve lost a few along the way, the author isn’t scared of killing a likeable character (or two) through these books.

Action/adventure: I’ll have to admit, the fight scenes in this book are amazing, I felt like swinging and ducking at odd moments during the battles, and it’s also a great learning curve for Neela (she’s not often beaten in a battle, and to have a beat down, brings her up, makes her reevaluate and encourages her to try harder.

YA? (Young Adult) Probably not, I’d probably lean towards a slightly older market, but that’s just me.

I was thrilled to read this one, as I was anxious to see how this would play out. I wasn’t disappointed, it’s filled with action and adventure. Loss and drama, but it’s also packed with magic, family and love. You also have your villains (who truly are bad guys)

So I’d advise you to read books one and two before this one. Then dive right in, it’s a beautiful written, and well thought out story. Great for readers who like action and adventure.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

Share

The Iron Vow by Julie Kagawa – a Review

Posted on by
12

The Iron Vow by Julie Kagawa – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
After leaping through the portal to Evenfall, Meghan and her companions find themselves in a terrifying new world where Nightmares roam and glamour is nearly nonexistent. As their magic wanes and the creatures of Evenfall rise against them, the race to find the Nightmare King grows ever more desperate. But what they discover–about Evenfall, about the Nightmare King, about themselves–will shake everything they thought they knew to the core.

The Nightmare King stirs. A world hangs in the balance. And as twilight descends upon all the realms of Faery, Meghan and her allies must make one more impossible choice.

 

 

 

Review:

The Iron Vow by Julie Kagawa is the 3rd and final book in her fantastic The Iron Fey: Evenfall trilogy. I loved that Kagawa started this book with a summary of the previous books in this trilogy, giving us a chance to remember everything.  I loved this series, as Julie Kagawa has been added to my list of authors I must read.

Meghan and her group are now in Evenfall, a dangerous world filled with darkness, nightmares, creatures, and their determination to find the Nightmare King.   With their magic slowly depleting, the danger escalates, as they are willing to risk everything to save the people of Evenfall, as well as Faery. It was great to see all of them (Meghan, Ash, Puck, Grim, Kieran and Nyx) again. Along the way, they face such terrifying attacks and though they survive, the battles have left them all bruised and beaten, with very little glamour left. With Evenfall slowly fading, Meghan is determined to find a way to break the curse done many years ago by the First Lady, and allow them to live again.  Can they stop The Nightmare King from destroying all of Nevernever and Faery.

What follows is a fantastic, exciting, wild, action-packed dangerous adventure that brings everyone (including the courts) together to fight the evil entity that threatens the end of the world. Even with the ultra-powerful group, Meghan, Ash, Puck, Grim, Nyx, Keirran, as well as Evenfall soldiers who join them, the battles are brutal, horrific and dynamic. I do not want to give spoilers, as you need to read this book from start to finish.  Fabulous finale. 

The Iron Vow was a fascinating conclusion to this trilogy, and I loved all of the wonderful characters Kagawa created, such as Meghan, Puck, Ash, Grimalkin, and so many others.  The Iron Vow was so well written by Julie Kagawa, with wonderful characters, fun humor, and a wild exciting, tense, action filled story.  The amazing ending had a number of surprises, including the courts who needed to help to save the world. Thank you, Julie Kagawa for giving us such a fascinating series and conclusion.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Share

The Stolen Throne by Abigail Owen – a Review

Posted on by
12

The Stolen Throne by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

Description:
My twin sister is the true queen of Aryd. She survives, hiding and clinging to life in the desert, while I reign as the false queen alongside the monstrous King Eidolon. There’s only one escape from this gilded prison: Reven. My Shadowraith. My heart. Only the shadows that he struggles to control are growing more sinister, more powerful.

It’s just a matter of time before they turn on him…and on me.

Even escape doesn’t mean true freedom, though, when we’re still on the run from Eidolon’s unstoppable armies. And when we discover there’s a traitor among us, I have no choice…I must become the queen I was never meant to be.

Because as one evil hunts me, the other loves me more than himself.

And my fate lies with both. 

The Dominions series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 The Liar’s Crown
Book #2 The Stolen Throne

 

Review:

The Stolen Throne by Abigail Owen is the second book in this series has us starting where the last book left us hanging…..

Meren is still pretending to be her twin sister Tabra, and her life is still in peril, trying to evade the evil clutches of King Eidolon. (Who is still trying to find the power source he needs to rule supreme, he’s killed off almost all of Meren and Tabra’s bloodline!) 

Our shadowwraith (Reven) who is totally into Meren and needs to save Meren again. But as he fights to both save the girl and stay away from her, it’s becoming a real emotional battle. 

Meren in the mean time is having to deal with the emotional upheaval that comes with loving Reven, (shadowwraith) evading King Eidolon, dodging a marriage proposal, and finding out who the traitors are in her camp! (And one of those traitors will have you shouting NO, at the book!) 

You can always rely on this author to grab you by the throat and not let go till the last page! Her descriptions of this world and all those who live here are flawless, you can easily put yourself in this world and into the shoes of all the characters. 

We read with bated breath as the characters swing into action time and again to save Meren from Eiodolon, read as her sister Tabra has her own worries to deal with, and hold out hope that Reven can control the shadows that are slowly consuming him and are trying to take control! And let’s not forget they are all trying to free this realm from the evil clutches of King Eiodolon! It’s a fast paced read that doesn’t take its foot off the gas until the (cliffhanger ending?) 

And when finally Reven can no longer stay away from Meren, it’s all systems go on the “I’m done with staying away from you” vibes ?

An absolutely amazing read. I couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait to see where book three takes us. It’s full of adventure, twists/turns and betrayal that you won’t see coming. And finding a few new friends/allies that are needed in this quest of good triumphing over evil (and it goes either way in this book!) 

So if you enjoy an adventure that will tug on your emotions, then I highly recommend this book. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – a Review

Posted on by
13

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

 

Review:

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is the first book in her new Historical fantasy romance, Iris at the Front series. I am a big fan of Rebecca Ross, as I have read and loved her previous books. We meet Iris Winnow, our heroine, at the start, when she watches her brother leave to fight in the gods’ war, with a promise to write to her. The setting of this story had the feel of WW1.  Iris, who is 18 years old, becomes a reporter for the Oath Gazette, with a possible promotion, knowing her competition is her rival, Roman Kitt.  Both of them started out as not liking each other, with both trying to best each other’s columns to have a chance at the promotion.  Iris started sending out letters to her brother, who never responded.

In this slight element of fantasy, her letters are mysteriously magically rerouted to Roman, as both had a special magic typewriter. Neither one knew who was sending or receiving these letters, with both using different names; in a short time, their feelings for each other will change. Through the letters, both Iris and Kit start falling in love, though she still thinks she is in love with Carver (his middle name).

After Iris’s mother dies, and the war of the gods escalates, she quits her job at Oath Gazette and becomes a war correspondent, leading her into the dangers of war, including the front lines. Worried about Iris, Kit decides he needs to join her, help protect her during this war of the gods. 

This was a very emotional and heart-wrenching story, but most importantly was the amazing romance between Iris and Kit; they were so great together. I loved Iris, as she was a strong and independent heroine, who was always ready to help others in need. Kit was also very good, especially when he realized he was falling in love with Iris, and gave up everything to join her as a war correspondent; his love for Iris was so beautiful.

Divine Rivals was a story filled with grief, tragedy, death, with humans fighting in the midst of this horrible war; a war started with two gods, Enva and Dacre, who were enemies.  Divine Rivals was well written by Rebecca Ross, that was heart wrenching, with so much heartbreak, horrors; but the wonderful sweeping love story between Iris and Roman was fantastic. I will say that the ending was a surprise and somewhat mixed.  I am happy that Ross will have more books in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Share

River of Wrath (St. Benedict 2)by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

Posted on by
8

RIVER OF WRATH (St. Benedict 2) by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo paper /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 31, 2023

Leslie Moore is struggling to get through her last semester at St. Benedict High. Even her relationship with her boyfriend Derek is falling apart. But after receding floodwaters from the Bogue Falaya River expose the bones of a woman, Leslie becomes obsessed with tracking down the killer.

Sightings of an apparition haunting The Abbey send Leslie and her friends back to the scene of the horrors from last Halloween, but no one is prepared for what they find.

After a stranger—the handsome Luke Cross—arrives in town, another girl goes missing, and the sheriff suspects the newcomer is hiding something. Leslie believes the Devereaux family is connected to everything going wrong in St. Benedict. And she means to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

Not all secrets can be kept silent. Some eventually find their way home.

•••••

REVIEW: RIVER OF WRATH is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult ST. BENEDICT thriller focusing on a group of high school seniors, and the increasing number of bodies found along the Bogue Falaya River in the small Louisiana Parish known as St. Benedict. RIVER OF WRATH should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one RIVER OF ASHES.

WARNING : Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives RIVER OF WRATH focuses on a group of high school seniors who attend St. Benedict High, a group that is slowly succumbing to a possible curse. As more bodies begin to surface in and around the Bogue Falaya River, Leslie Moore, and her friends Sara, Kelly and Taylor begin a search for the truth but the more secrets revealed the possibility increases that Leslie and her friends may suffer the same fate. Having pushed away her boyfriend Derek, in the face of unending guilt and grief, a newcomer to St. Benedict catches the eye of everyone involved, a newcomer with dangerous and dark secrets of his own.

RIVER OF WRATH is an intense, dramatic, graphic and detailed story of horror, vengeance and betrayal, power and control, wealth and madness, obsession and murder. The story line is ensconced in the requisite YA tropes including mean girls and jealousy, as well as the parents fueling or hiding intimate details and history of the St. Benedict Parish. Once again, the premise is haunting and startling; the characters are tragic, desperate, determined and mad. RIVER OF WRATH ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one RIVER OF ASHES

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Alexandrea Weis

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website/ Facebook/ Twitter

From New Orleans, Alexandrea Weis was raised in the motion picture industry and began writing stories at the age of eight. In college she studied nursing and went on to teach at a local university. After several years in the medical field, she decided to pick up the pen once again and began her first novel, To My Senses. Since that time she has published many novels. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning books, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. Her work has been critically acclaimed and has been continually growing in popularity.

Alexandrea Weis is also a certified/permitted wildlife rehabber with the La. Wildlife and Fisheries. When she is not writing, she rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She is married; they live in New Orleans .

•••••••••••

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is:  “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.”  ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Share

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross – a Review

Posted on by
11

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
East and West. Humans and Spirits. Breccans and Tamerlaines. The Isle of Cadence has always held itself and its residents in a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has pushed everyone and everything in his path off-kilter in a bid to claim dominion over all.

In the West, Adaira struggles to adjust to the more brutal, bitter ways of life among the Breccans. Striving to find her place in the clan, she swiftly realizes that it just might be the last role she desires to hold. And while magic blooms effortlessly for the Breccans in the west, the spirits continue to suffer beneath Bane’s harsh power, felt in every gust of wind.

In the East, Jack is adrift without Adaira until he sings to the ember-weak fire spirits, acquiring a dangerous mission he never expected. One that is destined to lead him westward. Likewise, Torin and Sidra are consumed by a new mystery as sickness spreads first amongst the crops, and then to the people of the Tamerlaine clan. While Sidra desperately searches for a cure, Torin dares to strike a bargain with the spirits—a precarious folly anytime, but especially now as the days grow darker.

With the island falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike will need to join together to face Bane, and Jack’s gift with the harp will be called upon once more. Yet no one can challenge the North Wind without paying a terrible price, and the sacrifice required this time may be more than Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra can bear to pay.

In the stunning conclusion to the Elements of Cadence duology, A Fire Endless finds the delicate balance between the human and faerie realm threatened by Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, whose defeat can only come through fire, song, and heart-rending sacrifice.

 

 

Review:

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross is the final book in her wonderful Elements of Cadence duology.  I have become a fan of Rebecca Ross’s wonderful fantasy novels. A Fire Endless picks up where the first book left off. Adaira is now in the West, trying to adjust to a more difficult life, as well as learn more about her true family (Breccans), her mother, Innes being the laird of the West and her father David. She misses her husband, Jack, who was left in the East, since being a bard, he cannot play music in the West.

In the East, Jack misses Adaira, but is determined to use his harp, to sing to the spirits, who suffer from King Bane’s nasty powers, bringing severe sickness to crops and people. The blight continues to grow, and Sidra, the healer in Tamerlaine, becomes infected, trying desperately to find a cure. Torin, the Laird of the East, finds himself approached by a spirit, who needs him to solve a puzzle, which would help save the land.  He is then stuck in the spirit realm, trying to search for the clues, to free himself, and stop the blight; with him being unable to see anyone in the mortal world, including his wife, Sidra and daughter, Maisie. 

Adaira slowly begins to learn more about her parents, and the world within the Breccan clan; but she also tries to change the way things are being done, especially the culling.  In a short time, Jack, will decide to join Adaira in the West, since he wants to be with his wife, and willing to give up his music.  It was a dangerous journey for Jack, as some evil Breccans threatened his life, with Adaira coming to his rescue.  Very exciting.  I loved Jack and Adaira together, as they were a fantastic couple.

With both the East and West beginning to suffer the terrible consequences of Bane’s rule, they will need to find a way to bring both sides together, as well as the spirits, who also suffer from Bane’s horror. Each of them (Adaira, Jack, Sidra and Torin) have their own difficult arcs, as we spend time with each of them in their compelling journeys.  Jack’s gift of music will bring Bane to destroy the spirits, more blight and stop the Bard. Will Jack survive?

What follows was an amazing, fantastic adventure in a world filled with magic, spirits, enemies, betrayals and romance.  There are some surprising twists, that will eventually force the two clans to join together to save the Isle of Cadenc.  Adaira, continues to be a fantastic heroine, as she was strong independent, determined, savvy and fierce. I loved Jack, Sidra and Torin, who played major parts in this story. 

A Fire Endless was a wonderful, captivating, unique story filled with spirits, magic and folklore.   To say too much more would ruin it for you, as you really do need to read this fantastic finale.  Rebecca Ross once again gives us a wonderful fantasy, with great characters and keeping me enthralled from start to finish.  If you have not read this duology, I suggest you start with A River Enchanted, then read A Fire Endless.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen – a Review

Posted on by
12

The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

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

 

Share

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin – a Review

Posted on by
12

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

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.

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

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

 

Share