Tag Archives: fantasy

Book Review: The Throwaway Queen (Ushallav’s Queen series) by Whitney McGruder

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The Throwaway Queen (Ushallav’s Queen series) by Whitney McGruder

A Fantasy Novel published by Bowker (08/01/22)

Summary:

“There is always a happy ending beyond the horizon. We must only search for it.” (Kindle Page 138).

After her caravan was attacked, Queen Anjali barely escaped with her life and that of her unborn child. She was cautioned to stay away until the identity of the attacker was discovered but it has been over two years since Anajali has seen her firstborn son, husband, and kingdom. On her way back to her rightful place, she is determined to figure out what happened and reunite with her family but in her absence, many things have changed.

Keywords:

Fantasy, Action, Adventure, New Adult, Warrior Women, Unlikely Allies, Blended Family, Royalty, Mystery, Murder

My Review:

I enjoyed reading about a strong female heroine who is also a mother. Anjali has to protect both her family and her position. How do mature people navigate something like this? I greedily read every scene, thought, and piece of dialogue related to this conflict.

The aspect of blended families was also interesting to me. I liked how Anjali wasn’t just one characteristic, she was appropriately complex and had a rich and intriguing backstory. She isn’t just a mother. She isn’t just a warrior. Anjali was the best character. She was so balanced as a person and she is presented with such impossible situations! But the times she became frustrated she did have a reaction (which I appreciated).

I liked the mixing of sub-genres. This book had fantasy, action, romance, and mystery. There were layers to the book to unpack. I was curious about the world-building environment and the unfurling mystery as well as seeing how the relationships were going to break or strengthen.

I enjoyed reading about Anajali’s culture and traditions and wanted more of them and more descriptions. They weren’t always alive and tangible to me as an outsider. I didn’t fully feel the discrimination Anjali faced but I did feel her frustrations. I felt more sympathy for her regarding the gendered discrimination than the racial discrimination.

I loved the eventual reveal of the villain! It was a bit of a twist and I didn’t see it coming. It felt both satisfying and conclusive

This novel was published by Bowker on 08/1/2022 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Whitney McGruder’s Website

Book Review: Atomica: Between Sea and Sky by Heather McKenzie

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Atomica: Between Sea and Sky by Heather McKenzie

A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Novel published by House of Hebyzie (08/27/24)

Summary:

“If you’re not doing things the hard way, then you’re not living…” (Page 40, ebook).
“Never judge based on appearances. Sometimes the most unassuming can be the deadliest.” (Page 114, ebook).

Eva is a protector. Even when she fails in her duty and is captured, her loyalty and determination do not falter. Kade is a hunter on a mission. When Eva and Kade are shipwrecked together, they will be forced to rely on each other to survive. But it’s not just the two of them on the island. Mysterious forces, harsh weather, deadly animals, and the villainous Raiders stand between them and their survival.

Keywords:

Capture, Escape, Hiding, Secrets, Mission, Mind, Protection, Shelter, Island, Power, Fight

My Review:

In a perfect mashup between fantasy and science fiction, I’m compelled by both main characters Eva and Kade. They both have a strong, compelling, nearly single-minded purpose. In the beginning, we learn that Kade’s and Eva’s missions are at odds with the other’s. And then they meet. When will they discover what the other is hiding and how will that turn out when they are slowly becoming more and more reliant and trusting of each other? I couldn’t put the book down until the inevitable happened. The build-up to the end was a slow burn of constant tension that kept me at the edge of my seat frantically turning pages.

It annoyed me that Kade could quiet down the force that propelled him to his mission at all costs when he didn’t believe he was laser-focused on the end goal. He knew he was getting sidetracked by Eva. I didn’t believe him when he tried to persuade the force that what he was doing would ultimately serve the end goal. I’m waiting to see how this force and Kade’s free will ultimately clash.

My favorite character, though, was the conflicted Rowan of the Raiders. We see him through Eva’s story as he doesn’t have his own narrative. One of Eva’s first encounters with him shows that he is not who he appears to be. This mystery pulled me to the end almost as much as the tension between Eva and Kade and the survival story that ties the characters together.

I’m excited to see where this story goes next and what is going to happen to Rowan, Eva, Kade, and Zolaya.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

This novel will be published by House of Hebyzie on 08/27/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Heather McKenzie’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: In the Woods: A tale of supernatural suspense by Claudia Blood

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In the Woods: A tale of supernatural suspense by Claudia Blood

A Paranormal Suspense Novel published by Dragon Bane Publishing (08/15/23)

Summary:

Laura and Todd have a new case: clearing the name of a very good family friend of Laura’s and finding the real killer. A blackmail note accuses the man of killing Laura’s mother, except she has no memory of the event or even of the case right after they talk about it. Magic is at work but Laura is convinced that the man is innocent. It’s a race against time before the killer strikes again.

Keywords:

Suspense, Magic, Mystery, Lies, Demons, Lost Memories, Flashbacks, Murder, Fighting, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary, Attack, Threat, Target

My Review:

This book, along with the first in the series At the Cabin describes a unique type of magic, a supernatural type of magic that is hard to pin down. What are the rules and how do they work in this magic realm? I was kept guessing as to how the magic worked and I liked how the magic usage was different from the norm.

There were frequent POV switches from Laura, Doug, and Todd and with the gap of time since reading the first book and these POV changes, I felt more removed from connecting to the characters as I had in the first book. This book is also a fast read so there isn’t as much time to get too deep into each of the main characters.

I enjoyed how detailed the descriptions were of facial expressions and what they might mean every time a chapter was told from Laura’s POV. Todd’s flashbacks were very exciting and had me at the edge of my seat. Doug’s chapters really brought a sense of justice and urgency to the mystery.

My favorite part was the ending. I absolutely loved the final scene, and the book was wrapped up to my satisfaction.

This novel was published by Dragon Bane Publishing on 08/15/2023 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information:

Claudia Blood’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Sagistic by Victoria Bastedo

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Sagistic by Victoria Bastedo

A Fantasy novel Independently published  (05/31/2022)

Summary:

Finch, a professor turned soldier, is ready to aid his country using his smarts and the little training he receives prior to jumping into conflict! He must work as bait, to find and rescue villagers who have gone missing. There are only a few complications in the form of unicorns, gnomes, and a pretty waitress.

Keywords:

Villains, Village, Fighting, Unicorns, Gnomes, Gentlemen, Romance

My Review:

This book has a little bit of mystery, a little bit of intrigue, a little bit of romance, and a little bit of adventure. I enjoyed the blending of multiple genres within this book. If you’re a fan of the book (or even the movie) Princess Bride, you might be a fan of this novel as well.

The fantasy elements were centered around fantastical creatures like unicorns and gnomes and the tone of the book kept its historical feel even through the introduction of these fantastical creatures. The introduction was well-grounded in the environment and characteristics of the past before bringing the fantastical creatures into the plot.

The pacing of this book felt like it was an action/mystery story broken up into parts as if it was a quest story with multiple distinct segments.

Like other Bastedo books, and true to the genre of romance, this story features a happy ending.

This novel was Independently published  (05/31/2022) and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 3.75

Links for more information:

Goodreads

FreeValleyPublishing

Victoria Bastedo WordPress

Book Review: Demon Whispers (The Survival Chronicles, Book 1) by N.R. Farnell

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Demon Whispers (The Survival Chronicles, Book 1) by N.R. Farnell

An Urban Fantasy novel Independently published (05/17/2022)

Summary:

Devon has been captive for five long years but soon she will escape and find her sister. The knife she stole is hidden on her person and she knows that today is the day. Until a demon shows up and she has to pivot her plans. She knows she has to run, but when he offers her a deal she can’t refuse, it will go against all she’s ever known. She’s a demon hunter and he’s a demon after all.

Keywords:

Paranormal, Fantasy, Violence, Demon, Demon Hunter, Family, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Fight or Flight, Injuries

My Review:

 

 

This novel was Independently published 05/17/2022 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Book Review: Flood of the Fire: A YA Epic Fantasy (The Outlawed Myth Book 4) by Evelyn Puerto

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Flood of the Fire: A YA Epic Fantasy (The Outlawed Myth Book 4) by Evelyn Puerto

A YA fantasy novel published by Open Water Books (11/15/2022)

Summary:

“Confronting people with the truth is one thing. Inspiring them to have the courage to face it is another.” (Kindle Location 706).

Tereka isn’t the Desired One. At least, that’s what she keeps telling everyone and herself. What will it take for Tereka to believe in The Prophecy and in herself? With Damira and the Emporer invading Tlefas, Tereka will have to find out who really is the Desired One and whether this invading army will finally bring peace and freedom. Or perhaps they are just another power-hungry force that wants to rule the land.

Keywords:

Fantasy, Travel, Journey, Risk, Attack, Flee, Hide, Town, Secrets, Power, Rulers, Magic, Amulets, Love, Friendship, Romance, Triumph, Battle, Conclusion

My Review:

After four books, the story of Tereka, the mystery of the amulets, the promise of The Prophecy, and the conclusion of the romance are finally coming to an end. I forgot how much I missed Tereka and her story after the third book. In fact, I forgot a lot about Tereka, her story, her romances and friendships, and the struggles of Tlefas. It was difficult to jump right back into her story and try to remember who the characters were and why I cared about them. But I did care about them. I cared about some of them a lot! As the protagonist once again, Tereka was most important to me, but I also was still very fascinated by Damira. There was a will she/ won’t she have a happy ending teeter-totter. You’ll have to read this final book in the Outlawed Myth Series to find out what happens to Damira and her power struggles with the Scorpion Amulets.

I appreciated and was fascinated with Damira and the way she viewed the world versus how her brother, her loved one, and her enemy viewed her. That was the strongest pull of this story for me. I really, really wanted to know what was going to happen to Damira.

This book was one long conclusion and I appreciated how every thread from the previous three books was wrapped up, from Kaberco to Iskra. However, the ending was not as strong as I wanted it to be, particularly with the wrap-up between Tereka and Naco. I wanted more buildup to their conclusion, even if it was the ending that I didn’t know I wanted. Again, you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens between the two. Meanwhile, Kemet butts back into the story and I enjoyed having him back in the story. Bringing back Kemet provided some great tension.

This novel was published by Open Water Books 11/15/2022 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Twitter

Evelyn Puerto’s Website

Book Review: Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas

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Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas

A Middle-Grade Fantasy Novel published by Amulet Books (05/10/22)

Summary:

Hasani is all about growing her makeup YouTube channel this summer and getting to 100 followers. When an emotional outburst sets a bridge covered in vines, she’ll have to change her summer plans. She’s offered a scholarship to a charm school for witches. And Hasani is a wildseed witch. It’s a whirlwind for her as they get her ready to go to this school and her arrival at Les Belles Demoiselles is just as chaotic. Hasani just learned she was a witch and doesn’t know how to control her powers, while most of the other girls have known they were witches their whole lives.

Keywords:

Magic, Witches, School, Charm School, Old-Money, Control, YouTube, Influencer, Makeup, Power, Influence, Family, Friendship, Bullying

My Review:

After arriving at the charm school, this book continually challenged my assumptions of what magic can be. Just like Hasani, I had to learn what magic looks like and how it can be controlled at Les Belles Demoiselles. And just like Hasani and her mother, I did not know how to pronounce this charm school. We both had a lot to learn! The author keeps the reader in the dark as much as Hasani is in the dark about what to do, where to go, how to behave, what’s right, what’s wrong, and most everything else! I felt her frustration and confusion. And she didn’t even know where the bathroom was. Hasani is clueless. The other girls think her ignorant and wild. The teachers are reserving judgment, mostly. I would be crying myself to sleep every night in this situation.

There are some big lessons to learn from reading this book about controlling emotions and learning restraint, making friends, etc. The lessons feel very intertwined with the story and the main character’s growth.

I loved the details about the setting. The book takes place in New Orleans and carries with it the historical weight of the area.

This novel was published by Amulet Books on 05/10/2022 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.5

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Marti Dumas’ Website

Book Review: Daughter of Magic (The Daughter of Magic Trilogy Book 1) by Karen Eisenbrey

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Daughter of Magic (The Daughter of Magic Trilogy Book 1) by Karen Eisenbrey

A YA Fantasy Novel published by Immortal Works (05/22/18)

Summary:

Luskell doesn’t think she has magic, even though her parents are both powerful wizards. They leave her behind in Deep River as they go to the city for their annual work trip as interpreters. Luskell has had strange dreams at night and during the day she starts to get into the small town feel of the place. She participates in gossip, makes new friends, and even names a new horse. Meanwhile, there’s something strange and concerning going on in the capital, but neither of Luskell’s parents can pin down what’s really going on. And then the strangest thing happens to Luskell and she decides to take action.

Keywords:

Coming of age, action, magic, wizards, transfiguration, spells, power, leader, small town, gossip, friendship, chores, sneaking out

My Review:

This fantasy is full of the YA feels. Luskell is your typical teenager. She rolls her eyes at her parents, argues with her mom, sneaks out, and speaks her mind. She is such a rebellious teenager who is headstrong, stubborn, acts before thinking, is competitive with others, and is impatient with herself. As soon as she thinks of an idea, she acts on it. On the other hand, she is brave and loyal and doesn’t pause to consider the potential danger and harm to herself if someone she loves is in danger. She is a YA main character to the max and I really enjoyed how well she is written and how much of a filled-out personality she has. Because Luskell (and other characters) are fully sketched out, I would enjoy reading more of this series.

I would also continue reading the next book in this trilogy because this first book has a hook beyond the in-depth characters. It has a plot that has action and intrigue. It has an arc that has a satisfying ending but also the potential to continue expanding the storyline and world through more books.

Though this book was a bit more difficult to get into at the beginning due to rapid character POV changes with almost every chapter, the writing style is easy to read and the world-building is slowly fleshed out. I had a hard time keeping the characters straight for a number of chapters but as the story slowly developed I became more and more engrossed and the characters and their relationships started to make more sense. Some of the characters shared names or name structures and most of them are introduced in the beginning.

Luskell is a main character who discovers her magic midway through the book and with a short training montage is able to quickly master several spells without issue. She is a main character who seems like she might be the most powerful wizard and it’s not that difficult (one afternoon of intense training) for her to learn to use her magic (to learn to use less power at one time). Since I was already invested in Luskell and the story and the dire situation, I looked past this trope but still noticed that it was happening. At this point in the book, I already loved the three teens and wanted them to succeed.

There is a hint of a romance and a potential love triangle, but this element is not given nearly as much attention as Luskell coming into her magic and her desire to use it immediately to help the ones she loves. Perhaps in further books, this romance will be more developed. Since the characters were my favorite part of the book, I would love to see where this romantic development goes.

This novel was published by Not a Pipe Publishing on 05/22/2018 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Karen Eisenbrey’s Website

Book Review: Strange Gods by Alison Kimble

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Strange Gods by Alison Kimble

A YA Fantasy Novel published by Immortal Works (07/20/21)

Summary:

Spooky is at a summer camp for troubled teens. She’s waiting for The Change – a big moment that starts the rest of her life. Maybe sneaking out for her first kiss will be The Change. Instead, she gets pulled into another dimension and confronted with a trickster God. Either she tells him stories for the rest of her life or she finds a way to appease him and supply him with endless stories. After a few hours, she’s already hoarse. Can she talk her way out of her predicament?

Keywords:

Weird Mythology, Portal, Lessons Learned, Summer Camp, Troubled Teens, Bargain, Travel, Journey, Strange Gods

My Review:

What an extraordinary out-of-the-ordinary book that I didn’t even know I needed in my life! I absolutely adore well-written strange and creative books and this one is no exception. The characters – especially Spooky – were given depth, personality, and realism. I wanted to know what made Spooky tick. The fact that she’s at a camp that exploits the campers’ biggest fears added another dimension. What motivates Spooky to conform to her parent’s expectations? Why is everyone else in this camp? This camp is both a terrible place and a terribly fascinating place (to those not currently stuck there that is). The world-building drew me in immediately and the way the author slowly unraveled the mystery of this camp and some of the other campers’ backstories was expertly done.

 

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel because it’s so well written and well edited. It’s fast-paced and has a definitive story arc. There are setbacks and obstacles. The main character has to learn her lesson along the journey. There are high stakes. Though the main plot is highly fantastical, the logic and the journey are very realistically written. The characters eat and never forget their bruises or their snark.

 

If you enjoy a book that isn’t totally mainstream but a little creepy and strange, you’ll love this YA novel.

 

This novel was published by Immortal Works on 07/20/2021 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Allison Kimble’s Website

Book Review: Sting of the Scorpion: A YA Epic Fantasy (The Outlawed Myth Book 3) by Evelyn Puerto

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Sting of the Scorpion: A YA Epic Fantasy (The Outlawed Myth Book 3) by Evelyn Puerto

A YA fantasy novel published by Open Water Books (1/7/2022)

Summary:

“No sense imagining trouble. We’ve got enough already.” (Kindle Edition, 37%).

Damira and her clan members struggle every day to survive. One day almost everyone is slaughtered. Damira, her brother, and best friend only have two choices – cross the desert and hope there is peace on the other side, or join the local warlord and forever be his pawns. But a new power is rising and nothing can stand in this new warlord’s way. She uses a magical amulet and the only way to stop her is to wield one of these magical amulets. Are they evil? Damira doesn’t care, as long as she will never again have to worry about her safety and that of her loved ones.

Keywords:

Fantasy, Travel, Journey, Risk, Attack, Flee, Hide, Town, Secrets, Power, Rulers, Magic, Amulets, Love, Friendship, Romance, Training

My Review:

Much like the second book of this series, Sting of the Scorpion starts out with a new protagonist, and this time the setting and the world also appear to be different. The author once again builds the fantasy world setting, showing us a new previously uncharted portion of the map. The books, since they feature different characters and almost different settings, could be read as standalone fantasy books in the same world, with similar themes and character arcs. I’m immediately invested in this world and I’m immediately on the side of and rooting for the new main character, Damira.

There is so much at stake for Damira. She has everything and nothing to lose. Mush like Tereka in the previous novel, Damira grows into her role over the course of the book. The author knows how to write strong female main characters who don’t stick to the status quo.

This book, like the others, was well-paced and picked up momentum more and more as the plot unfurled. Throughout the novel, as things change, there are always high stakes and you won’t be able to put the book down.

I loved the changing POV from the three main characters and I love the distinct cultures of this fantasy setting. I thought there was a nice balance between politics and war as well as personal stories, struggles, and present actions.

If you like grounded fantasy with high stakes and strong, interesting characters, you will enjoy this series.

This novel was published by Open Water Books 1/7/2022 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Twitter

Evelyn Puerto’s Website