The Last Huntress (Mirror Realm 1) by Lenore Borja-review and excerpt
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 1, 2022
Alice Daniels has a problem. Her reflection keeps misbehaving when she looks in the mirror–and the longer she ignores it, the harder it tries to get her attention. On her eighteenth birthday, she learns why: she is a huntress, someone gifted with the power to enter mirrors and the magical world that exists beyond. But with this power comes immense responsibility, for in the Mirror Realm lurks an evil that has infected the human race for centuries: demons. It is up to her and her three huntress sisters–with the help of one handsome and overbearing protector–to hunt and banish this evil one demon at a time, thereby keeping the chaos in check. But when an ancient god pays Alice a visit that turns deadly, it is clear the Mirror Realm is more than it seems, and she soon finds herself in a race against time to save the life–and soul–of the one man the gods are determined to never let her have.
•••••••
REVIEW: Reading the blurb I’m thinking it’s a retelling of Alice through the looking glass. But it’s not, there are a few similarities, but maybe that was just me.
Alice can control mirrors!
Fancy a change of scenery, walk through a mirror. But it’s not that simple as we find out in the book.Alice has never trusted a mirror, her reflection can’t be trusted, it looks back at her distorted or even oddly sometimes!But all that becomes apparent when she discovers her hidden power (or curse!) she can move into a different world/realm just by walking through a mirror, there is also the fact you canleap incredibly high, or even fly in this realm.But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There is a dark force that wants the mirror realm for its self, and it will do anything to achieve this.
I really enjoyed the story. Loved the interaction with her sisters, I enjoyed the banter and almost instant attraction between her and her guardian/protector.It’s a little confusing at times, and the fact we are just meant to accept all the things thrown at Alice, the lack of information in some instances (the bond between sisters needed a little more information).I don’t want to give too much away as it is a good story, a few little hiccups won’t really take away from this book.
There are a few twists I didn’t see coming. There are also moments in the book I wanted to shout at the characters (and the author) and there are times in the story I just wanted to scoop Alice up and give her a big cuddle.Is there a HEA (happy ever after) in this book I hear you ask? Well….. nope!! Not telling you, but I will say that I wasn’t expecting it to go down the way it did ?
The mirror realm is fascinating. It’s full of wonderful and sometimes scary characters. The demons are the characters your going to be booing,
It’s touted as a YA (young adult) read, and it’s said it’s aimed at them.It’s a book filled with adventure/mystery and a splash of magic. And don’t forget the romance ?I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of the mirror realm.I’m definitely adding this author to my list.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Julie B ?
Alice set down the glass she was unwrapping and peeled herself
off the kitchen floor.
“Coming!” she called, weaving her way through stacks of boxes.
Something furry and black darted in front of her. She tripped. “Dammit, Boop!”
He meowed like his tail had just been caught in a mousetrap. “Oh, like it’s my fault?”
Yellow eyes regarded her with scorn. The doorbell rang again. “Alice! Can you please get the door?”
“COMING!”
She hopped to the foyer as Boop ran figure eights between her legs. Exasperated, she scooped him up and held him tight to her chest as she pulled the door open with her free hand.
“Yes?” she said, with maybe a bit too much bite.
“Hi, I’m David.”
He was as handsome as they come, and she was suddenly very
aware of her ratty appearance. She attempted to smooth her hair back but was interrupted by claws digging into her neck. The stranger on her doorstep stepped forward.
“Aw, hi, kitty,” he said, reaching toward the squirming feline.
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Boop flattened his ears and hissed. Then a razor-sharp claw sliced into Alice’s arm.
“Ow!” she cried, releasing her hold. Boop leapt over her shoulder and disappeared back into the house, leaving her disheveled and more than a little embarrassed.
“Nice cat.”
“Sorry,” she said, licking her finger to dab at the fresh wound. “He’s not usually like that. I think he’s just stressed from the move.”
“Colorado, right?”
She looked up. His green eyes sparkled in the afternoon sun. “How did you know that?”
He smiled. A devilish sort of smile. The kind tall, dark, and swoon-worthy guys like him perfected. The kind girls like her needed to be leery of.
“License plate,” he said, gesturing casually behind him to the Volvo in the driveway.
“Oh. Right. Sorry, who are you again?”
“David Martin. I live down the block. Saw the moving truck and thought I’d stop by, welcome you to the neighborhood.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks.” He seemed nice enough, but something about him was unsettling.
“So . . . Do you have a name? Or should I just call you ‘girl with the psycho cat’?”
She laughed and extended her hand. “Sorry. I’m Alice. Alice Daniels.”
He took her hand in his. The unsettling feeling increased tenfold.
“Alice,” he repeated, leaning forward until his face was inches from hers. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Smiling uneasily, she pulled hard until she wrenched free from his grasp.
“Hello. Can we help you?”
His eyes darted over her shoulder, and he didn’t miss a beat. “You must be Ms. Daniels.”
10 7 THELASTHUNTRESSAlice turned as her mother paused at the doorway. She could tell from her face she was already smitten; it took everything in her power not to roll her eyes.
“Mom, this is David. He lives down the street and stopped by to welcome us to the neighborhood.”
“Well, isn’t that nice,” her mom said as she reached out to shake his hand. “Good to meet you, David. And call me Judy. Do you go to Remington?”
“I do,” he said, glancing at Alice. “You too? Senior?”
Something told her he already knew that. Her eyes wanted to narrow, but it would be too obvious. So she just said yes instead.
He slapped his palm on his thigh. “Then you have to come to the real party tonight!”
“As opposed to a fake one?”
“Alice,” Judy tsked. “Don’t be rude.”
He chuckled. “Sorry, that was confusing. The Remington Reel.
It’s kind of a newsletter-slash-blog. They’re having a back-to-school party tonight.”
“Well, that sounds like fun. She’d love to come.”
“Mom . . .” Alice said, grabbing hold of her mom’s arm and squeezing tight. “I thought we were unpacking tonight.”
Judy ignored her. “David, just tell us when she should be ready.”
He dug his hands in his pockets and slid his gaze back to Alice. “Pick you up at eight.”
Lenore Borja grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Arizona State University before moving to New York City to study acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After a brief career as an actress, she spent several years working in executive search and human resources in New York and San Francisco. She now resides in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband and a bossy feline named Maximus. When she’s not writing, she enjoys adventure travel and anything that gets the heart racing, whether it’s hiking, running, or getting lost in a good book.
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Very nice review, Julie. This looks like a different and interesting story line.
Great review, Julie. Sounds very good. Thanks
Thanks for another wonderful review and excerpt
Thanks for the great review and excerpt Julie
Fantastic review thanks Julie.
Great review, congratulations to Lenore Borja on the new release.
Looks great, thanks for the excerpt.
Very nice review and excerpt thanks Julie.
Terrific review and excerpt, thanks.
Terrific review, Julie. Looks very good. Thanks.
great review, julie. sounds like a different kind of read.
Looks like a very good story line. Thanks, Julie.