Fae Prophecy by Toni Cox

 

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Thank you NetGalley for the eArc copy of this book.

When dark magic threatens the Fae kingdom, the King is arrested for treason. It is up to Princess Dana, who was forced to run after her father's arrest, to discover not only the source of the attacks but to find out the truth of her new powers. Along the way she must learn how to get along with one of the sworn enemies of the fae - a shifter. Will she arrive in time to prevent the attacks?

Fae Prophecy is the first book in The Fae Prophecy series

What I liked about this book

• Each place that Dana visits is really well described and you can easily picture all the places she visits and people she meets.
• I liked how there was more than one type of magic and magical creature seen through out the story.
• I think Thomas is my favourite character because even though he and Dana don't always get along, he still tries his best to look out for her.
• Dana and Thomas travel throughout the book and are never in one place for long, which helps move the story along.

What I didn't like about this book

• Dana is extremely judgemental and naive for most of the book and thinks everyone is out to get her.

Over all I really enjoyed reading this book. If was action packed and really draws you in. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy books.

   4 stars

✮✮✮✮

The Tournament of the Lost by Jonathan Hunter

 

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Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a world which is split into rings, the outer ring has been divided further by a great war. Mages and humans who used to coexist are now estranged and filled with a mutual hatred. A tournament is organised allowing anyone to enter, mage and human alike. The aim of the tournament is to travel through all the kingdoms of the outer ring with no assistance from those who are not taking part. The contestants are allowed if not encouraged to kill each other. They are also being chased by unknown creatures. The person who reaches the end alive can claim glory and riches beyond their wildest dreams. Is everything as it seems or is there something much darker hidden behind the Tournament of the Lost.

What I liked about this book

• The concept is really interesting. The idea that the world is split into multiple rings, with a mysterious fog filled with untold horrors is really quite compelling.
• There is a diverse range of characters who are introduced throughout the book. 
• The story is told from multiple perspectives which does help to gain a better understanding of what is going on. However, more from the perspective of the main players would have really improved the connection between the reader and those characters.
• There is a map at the beginning which allows the reader to form a clearer picture of the world in terms of layout.
• The pacing is well suited to this type of book.

What I didn't like about this book

• Grammatical errors and miss use of words e.g. thought instead of taught. This was distracting and because of this it took a while to get into the story. This does improve the further into the book you go. 

Tournament of the Lost is the first instalment in The Lost Aeden series. This has the potential to be a really good series. Though a proof read would do wonders for the readability.

3 Stars 

✮✮✮

Magic by Mike Russell

 

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Thank you to StrangeBooks for providing me with a e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Charlie Watson believes that magic is real and he wants everyone to know it too. Charlie decided to write a book to show his thoughts on his journey to becoming famous. This is the book he wrote. Charlie explains why he always wears a top hat, why he has so many rabbits, how magic wands are made and so much more. This story documents the strange series of events that lead Charlie from England all the way to the Arctic. When he reaches the Arctic, Charlie will perform his greatest feat. Was it just a trick? or did the world witness real magic?

What I liked

• Charlie's theory of the universe is an interesting take on how the universe began.
• The magic shows were well described. The scene was set in such a way that you could clearly imagine what was going on, to the point that it felt like you were really there. 
• The characters are also easy to picture as they are described in detail.
• Throughout the book Charlie makes assumptions on what other characters are feeling. I found this to be a quirky character trait and some of the comments he makes are quite funny. 
• The story is told from the perspective of Charlie and is written almost in the form of a journal. 

What I didn't like

• On a few occasions the story was quite repetitive and I felt as though I was rereading parts. This occurs mostly at the beginning of the book. 

This is a quick and interesting read. I would recommend this book to any adult who has an interest in magic or who enjoys books about magic.

4 stars

✮✮✮✮

What's on our NetGalley shelf

 We both like reading and reviewing books on NetGalley. Here's a peak at what we currently have on our shelves. Look out for the reviews of these books and others to come.

1. Fae Prophecy by Toni Cox

Dark magic threatens the Fae kingdom of Draeguard and the king stands accused of treason. 

Forced to flee, Princess Dana must now discover the source of her mysterious powers, the truth about her birth, and how to get along with a sworn enemy – a Shifter. 

Get book 1 of The Fae Prophecy series now to find out the fate of the magical kingdom of Draeguard. 

2. A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers

A young woman in Belle Epoque France is cursed to relive a doomed love affair through many lifetimes, as both troubled muse and frustrated artist.

In 1895, sixteen-year-old Juliet LaCompte has a passionate, doomed romance with the married Parisian painter Auguste Marchant. When her mother — a witch — botches a curse on Marchant, she unwittingly binds Juliet to the artist through time, damning her to re-live her affair and die tragically young lifetime after lifetime as the star-crossed lovers reincarnate through history.

Luke Varner, the worldly demon tasked with maintaining this badly crafted curse, has been helplessly in love with his charge, in all her reincarnations, since 19th century France. He’s in love with Nora, a silver screen starlet in 1930s Hollywood. He’s in love with Sandra, a struggling musician in 1970s Los Angeles. And he’s in love with Helen, a magazine exec in present-day DC who has the power to “suggest” others do her bidding.

In this life, Helen starts to recall the curse and her tragic previous lives. But this time, she might have the power to break the cycle…

A Witch in Time is perfect for fans of A Secret History of Witches, Outlander, and The Time Traveler’s Wife.

3. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series…

Two sisters.

One brutal murder.

A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…

And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…

Release date 27th of October 2020.

4. Infernal by Mark De Jager

Stratus wakes in an unfamiliar place, with nothing but the knowledge that he is not human, with no memories of his past but possessing great strength, a powerful sorcery and the burning instinct to survive at any cost.

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, he sets out across a landscape torn apart by the ten year war between the Kingdoms of Krandin and Penullin, now reaching new levels of savagery as a dark magic drives the world to the brink of destruction.

As his personality grows with each step he slowly uncovers the truth of what he has become and the unquenchable thirst for vengeance that has led him there.

A bold new voice in fantasy and a revolutionary new character.

Release date 24th of November 2020

5. Of Wicked Blood by Olivia Wildenstein & Katie Hayoz

NO REST FOR THE WICKED . . . OR THE CURSED.

SLATE
I didn’t mean to steal the Bloodstone from the De Morel’s crypt.
Scratch that, I did mean to steal it.
Until I realized it was a curse-magnet that only comes off if I, along with a jolly trio, successfully defeat four curses.
If any of us fail, I’m dead.
I’ve never been a glass half-empty sort of person, but my glass looks in dire need of a refill right about now.
The only highlight of this wicked treasure hunt: feisty, entitled Cadence de Morel.

CADENCE
I was raised on tales of magic, in a small town reputed to be the birthplace of French witchcraft.
Did I believe all the stories I heard? Absolutely not. I mean, if magic existed, Maman wouldn’t have died, and Papa wouldn’t be stuck in a wheelchair, right?
Wrong.
The night Slate Ardoin waltzes into my life, wearing a ring he stole from my mother’s grave, I call him a monster.
But then I meet real ones, and Slate, well . . . he becomes something else to me.
Something frustrating to live with but impossible to live without.
Something I will fight for, no matter the cost.

Release date 2nd of February 2021

synopsis taken from Goodreads

Book release's in October to watch out for

There are so many great books which are to be released in October. We spent the day scouring through  Goodreads looking for the best ones. We have put together a list of the ones that we thought sounded the most interesting. If you see one that appeals to you click on the name and it will direct you to Goodreads. 

We were also lucky enough to receive an eArc of some of these books. we have added a link directly to our review if you would like to see what we thought.

1. The Devil And The Dark Water by Stuart Turton - release date 1st of October 2020

It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Travelling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent.

But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A twice-dead leper stalks the decks. Strange symbols appear on the sails. Livestock is slaughtered.

And then three passengers are marked for death, including Samuel.

Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes?

With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent can solve a mystery that connects every passenger onboard. A mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board.

Click here to read our review.

4. Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman - release date 6th of October 2020

Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Unnamed Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back.

When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters.

Magic Lessons is a celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling. 

3. The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo - release date 6th of October 2020

Dive into the epic world of international bestselling author Leigh Bardugo with this beautifully illustrated replica of The Lives of Saints, the Istorii Sankt’ya, featuring tales of saints drawn from the beloved novels and beyond. Out of the pages of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, from the hands of Alina Starkov to yours, the Istorii Sankt’ya is a magical keepsake from the Grishaverse.

These tales include miracles and martyrdoms from familiar saints like Sankta Lizabeta of the Roses and Sankt Ilya in Chains, to the strange and obscure stories of Sankta Ursula, Sankta Maradi, and the Starless Saint.

This beautiful collection includes stunning full-color illustrations of each story.

4. The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan - release date 6th of October 2020 

At last, the breathtaking, action-packed finale of the #1 bestselling Trials of Apollo series is here! Will the Greek god Apollo, cast down to earth in the pathetic moral form of a teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, finally regain his place on Mount Olympus? Lester's demigod friends at Camp Jupiter just helped him survive attacks from bloodthirsty ghouls, an evil Roman king and his army of the undead, and the lethal emperors Caligula and Commodus. Now the former god and his demigod master Meg must follow a prophecy uncovered by Ella the harpy. Lester's final challenge will be at the Tower of Nero, back in New York. Will Meg have a last showdown with her father? Will this helpless form of Apollo have to face his arch nemesis, Python? Who will be on hand at Camp Half-Blood to assist? These questions and more will be answered in this book that all demigods are eagerly awaiting.

5. The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow - release date 13th of October 2020

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters--James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna--join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be. 

7. The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk - release date 13th of October 2020

Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children. She dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do, but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season, when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only she can save them, by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling.

In a stroke of luck, Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus, but before she can purchase it, a rival sorceress swindles the book right out of her hands. Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back, but her new ally exacts a price: Beatrice’s first kiss . . . with her adversary’s brother, the handsome, compassionate, and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan.

The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings, the harder her decision becomes: If she casts the spell to become a Magus, she will devastate her family and lose the only man to ever see her for who she is; but if she marries—even for love—she will sacrifice her magic, her identity, and her dreams. But how can she choose just one, knowing she will forever regret the path not taken?

Click here for our review.

7.Cinders & Sparrows by Stefan Bachmann - release date 13th of October 2020

When a scarecrow climbs over the garden wall, delivering twelve-year-old orphan Zita Brydgeborn a letter saying she has inherited a distant castle, she jumps at the chance of adventure. But little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a centuries-old battle between good and evil. Blackbird Castle was once home to a powerful dynasty of witches, all of them now dead under mysterious circumstances. All but Zita. And Zita, unfortunately, doesn’t know the first thing about being a witch.

As she begins her lessons in charms and spells with her guardian, Mrs. Cantanker, Zita makes new allies—a crow, a talking marble head, two castle servants just her age named Bram and Minnifer, and the silent ghost of a green-eyed girl. But who is friend and who is foe? Zita must race to untangle her past and find the magic to save the home she’s always hoped for. Because whatever claimed the souls of her family is now after her.

Unforgettable and utterly enchanting, this stand-alone tale about family, belonging, and friendship will bewitch readers of Kate Milford's Greenglass House, Victoria Schwab's City of Ghosts, and Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle. Cinders & Sparrows is a magical page-turner by the author of The Peculiar, the acclaimed international bestseller.

8. Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston - release date 20th of October 2020

Cerys is safe in the kingdom of Aloriya.

Here there are no droughts, disease, or famine, and peace is everlasting. It has been this way for hundreds of years, since the first king made a bargain with the Lady who ruled the forest that borders the kingdom. But as Aloriya prospered, the woods grew dark, cursed, and forbidden. Cerys knows this all too well: when she was young, she barely escaped as the woods killed her friends and her mother. Now Cerys carries a small bit of the curse—the magic—in her blood, a reminder of the day she lost everything. The most danger she faces now, as a gardener’s daughter, is the annoying fox who stalks the royal gardens and won’t leave her alone.

As a new queen is crowned, however, things long hidden in the woods descend on the kingdom itself. Cerys is forced on the run, her only companions the small fox from the garden, a strange and powerful bear, and the magic in her veins. It’s up to her to find the legendary Lady of the Wilds and beg for a way to save her home. But the road is darker and more dangerous than she knows, and as secrets from the past are uncovered amid the teeth and roots of the forest, it’s going to take everything she has just to survive.

9. The Sentinel by Lee Child and Andrew Child - release date 27th of October 2020

It was close to midnight on a Saturday night when Jack Reacher gets off a bus at the Greyhound station in Nashville. Reacher is in no hurry. He has no appointments to keep. No people to see. No scores to settle. Not yet anyway.

But in the early morning hours, under particular circumstances, a familiar thought will be snaking through his sharp, instinctual lizard brain.

A voice in his head telling him to walk away.

Of course this shouldn't be the first time he listened to gut instead.

Meanwhile, 75 miles south and west of Music City is a sleepy little town where a recently-fired guy nurses a grudge that will fester into fury-- and a desire for payback. But who is watching him, standing guard over a long-buried secret, ready to strike before it can be revealed?

If you don't have a sense of danger you're in, then it's best to have Reacher.

10. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco - release date 27th of October 2020

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…

Thanks for reading this list. We hope you have found something to add to your tbr.

synopsis taken from Goodreads

Ashes By Ella M Lee

Click the image to add to your Goodreads shelf 

Thank you Book Sirens for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ashes is the third book in the Fire Within series. The story picks up where the last book left off. Nicholas has recovered and is ready to continue with their plans for Shatterfall. Mark has returned from the dead with a request Fiona might not be able to refuse. With the appearance of a new threat the team will be forced to push up their plans or reconsider them entirely.

What I liked about this book

• The emotion in this story is really well written. I spent the last few chapters of this book in tears.
• Daniel is by far my favorite character in this series. 
• This installment in the series tied up alot of loose ends.
• I like the relationship between Nicholas and Fiona - though I do think that there were too many I love you's.
• This installment is more action packed than the last two.

What I didn't like 

• Fiona - I still think that she comes across a lot younger than she is supposed to be.

The ways this book ends leaves the story open for continuation. i would definitely be interested in finding out how the story develops.

4 Stars 

✮✮✮✮

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton (release date 1st October 2020)

 

Click the image to add to your Goodreads shelf 

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Arent Hayes is the bodyguard of Sammy Pipps, who is the greatest detective the world has ever seen. Sammy is arrested for a reason unknown to either himself or Arent, and is being transported to Amsterdam to stand trial. 

Once aboard the ship, strange events start happening. A symbol from Arent's past is painted and carved on the ship, livestock are slaughtered, a leper is seen wandering the ship and they are being stalked by a mysterious ghost ship. 

With passengers turning up dead and Sammy locked up in a cell, it is up to Arent to investigate these strange goings on and discover who is responsible for this devilry.

What I liked about this book

• The story is cleverly put together. I did not see the big twist coming at all.
• Arent and Sara are my favorite characters. Sara is a forward thinking female character and Arent is kind despite outward appearances. It was quite refreshing to read a book where the main character is not outrageously handsome.
• I really enjoyed the writing style.

What I didn't like

• For the first few chapters I felt like I had missed something. As though there was another book before this one that I hadn't read yet.
• the story was quite slow to build up.

Although this book is slow to start it does pick up and when it does the story grips you and keeps you guessing. I think that you would enjoy this book if you like stories set in the 1600s or mystery novels.

3.75 Stars 

✮✮✮✬

 

Odriel's Heirs by Hayley Reese Chow

 

Click the image to add to your Goodreads shelf 

Thank you Book Sirens for the eArc copy of this book.

Seventeen year old Kaia is the Dragon Heir. She inherited the power of the flame to help protect her homeland from a godlike necromancer, as her ancestors once did. But after centuries have passed and no-one has seen him, he has faded to myth. Because of this, the Dragon Heir is now feared by the people she is sworn to protect. After being shunned by her people Kaia struggles to control her gift while being confined to her family's farm house.

When Kaia learns of the necromancer's army of the undead that has returned to terrorize her land, she runs away to join the fight. Along the way she meets Klaus the Shadow Heir and a cursed cat, who join her on her journey to figure out how to control her fire before time runs out for her world.

What I liked about this book

• The setting - The world was well described. I found that whilst reading, I could picture the scene as though I was there.
• The creatures - I liked that I hadn't heard of most of the creature's but could still picture what they looked like.
• There were a few flashbacks which helped develop a deeper understanding of the relationships between Kaia and Klaus
• Their relationship developed naturally and didn't feel rushed or drawn out. 
• My favourite character is Klaus because even though he rarely shows his emotions you can still tell that he cares for Kaia.
• I like how the magic of the Magus is described and how they don't have an unlimited source of power even though they are immortal. 
• When ever a new character is introduced there is a bit of their back story told either through flashbacks or through them speaking to Kaia. This really helped to gain a good understanding of their part in the story.

This book captivated my interest from the get go. Every part of the book moves the story along and keeps you interested. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy book's or book's about magic. 

5 stars 

✮✮✮✮✮

Court of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody

 

Click the image to add to your Goodreads shelf 

Thank you Book Sirens for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Elora's family is on the brink of financial ruin. The only way they can save their family is through Elora's marriage, but all Elora wants is to do is practise with her sword and fight in a tournament. 

After a trip into the village disaster strikes and Elora's family find themselves more in need of Elora's marriage than ever before. Soon after, Elora inadvertently makes a deal with Prince Brannick, a faerie Prince, and finds herself trapped in Faerie and unable to help her family.

Whilst trying to figure out a way to get home, Elora makes a deal with a king from another court and finds herself mixed up in a plot that could destroy half of Faerie.

What I liked about this book 

• The story is really easy to follow. The writing is coherent and flows really well.
• The world is really well described and explained. I loved all the creatures.

What I didn't like

• I found Elora's one track mind quite unbelievable.
• There was too much eye rolling throughout the story.

I think that people who enjoy fairytales or lovers of Holly Blacks the Folk of the Air series would like this book. This was a really good start to a promising series.

3.75 stars

✮✮✮✯

Firefrost by Camille Longley (release date 21st September)

 

Click the image to add to your Goodreads shelf 

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sol is a huntress who is doing what she can to ensure her village survives the wrath of the flameskin army.

Kelan is a Lieutenant in the flamskin army who has spent his whole life fighting what he is. 

Sol and Kelan are enemies from opposite sides of a war that started years ago. Due to unforeseen circumstances they must depend on each other to survive. As Sol begins to question her beliefs, Kelan becomes desperate to fight the fire that threatens to consume him. Together they will face many hardships that will have an effect on both sides of the war.

What I Liked about this book

• The concept - I loved the idea of the flameskin's and how their powers work.
• Kelan - He is my favourite character in this book. he is a complex character and is completely devoted to Sol.
• The world - even though this book is centered on the flameskin's there are other magical creatures at work as well. This book mainly focuses on explaining the world and setting the scene for the next book.

What I Didn't like

• The pacing of the book - the story seemed to jump from place to place very quickly in the second half of the book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books such as Throne of Glass. 

4.5 stars

✮✮✮✮✬