Apollo

Synopsis:
When the Arden sisters are enlisted to sprinkle some magic on Forkbridge’s annual Halloween Festival, they expect nothing scarier than costume contests and jack-o’-lanterns. But the spooktacular celebration takes a sinister turn when Ayla finds Councilman Marcus Clinton’s body chillingly posed in a decorative coffin outside City Hall.

With Forkbridge transformed into a carnival of costumes, it’s nearly impossible to separate harmless tricksters from potential killers. Between a zombie flash mob, strange noises in city hall, and a woman walking the streets dressed up like the goddess Athena, there’s too much information and too few clues.

Can Astra and her sisters peel back the layers of the killer’s disguise, unmasking them before they blend into the ordinary? Or will the elaborate festival costumes shroud the true face of evil lurking among them?

The clock is ticking, and it’s more than just a game of trick or treat!

Review:
“Your destiny still awaits, Astra of the Stars.” (Page 357, Chapter 20)

Back to holiday themed books, it was great to see the entire family together working towards a common goal; well, most of the family. I quite enjoyed the role that Apollo (and Hermes) played in this one, especially how he truly cared whenever Astra was upset. It was interesting seeing Lothian and Astra’s relationship during this particular book as in previous ones they had come across as much more of partners (in work, not just dating) than this one–good development. The mystery in this was perfect; multi-layered and convoluted enough to keep your attention and always wondering exactly who did what, why, and what you’re missing. I am looking forward to continuing the series as it continues to come out!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Synopsis:
When a mysterious toy soldier arrives on her doorstep and announces it’s here to test Archie’s loyalty, witch Astra Arden can’t help but laugh. After all, it’s not every day that a plastic soldier shows up claiming to be sent by the goddess Athena.

As they work to unravel the clues surrounding the toy soldier’s arrival, ominous forces gather and Astra races against time to uncover the truth—and they realize that this might not be as funny as they thought.

With the fate of their family and Archie’s future on the line, the Arden sisters must navigate a series of impossible choices and confront divine secrets from the past that threaten to tear everything apart.

Amidst the magic and mystery of the yule celebration, Astra and her sisters must use all their wit and cunning to uncover the truth and outsmart the scheming gods. Will they be able to outmaneuver the powerful deities, or will the sisters succumb to their trickery like so many before them?

Review:
I loved this book and was instantly drawn to it once the story began; I couldn’t put it down. I thought this was it, finally, I was getting the full picture of all that could be with Athena’s tests and what Astra would do for Archie. Unfortunately, this story while a bit convoluted didn’t meet the expectations it set up from the beginning. While I’d say I loved 90% of the book, the ending 10% is what I didn’t quite enjoy. Including the ending; which was so frustrating and annoying to have that happen after all we have been through with Astra that if I weren’t so invested in these characters I’d stop reading the series! This had gripped me so tightly I finished it the day I started!

Mild SPOILERS:
While I am glad that there is sort of a resolution between Astra and Jason that was definitely not what anyone had in mind!! I am also glad that the girls learned who their fathers are, but I only found two of the four really made sense. Ayla’s father made sense entirely and I could understand Ami’s as well given what we know of her but I couldn’t really think of a good argument/connection between Althea and Astra and their respective father’s.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Amy S. Brown

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