magic

Review of Skulk of Foxes by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One impending apocalypse. Several crazy faeries. A few troubling plagues of locusts and storms of fire … It’s just another day in Manchester for the Madhatter.

Madrona might still have amnesia and might yet prove to be a vicious murderess but that doesn’t mean she’s going to quit being a heroine just yet. However, while she might be prepared to go to any lengths to stop Rubus from triggering Armageddon, it’s equally possible that the world will end as a result of her actions too. Manchester is experiencing terrifying surges in magic which are causing all sorts of chaotic events to occur. With a dragon, several werewolves and a host of faeries by her side, there is still a thread of hope.

And green eyed, sexy arsed Morgan. There’s always him.

Review:
There were so many good bits of this book, and twists and turns that wouldn’t be expected from characters we’d grown to know and love. I loved the description of things fae can do in chapter 8, and all of the bits of wisdom sprinkled throughout the novel, such as personalities having the ability to change and that no one is ever the same all the time, as well as being selfish creatures who make mistakes and have to work on righting them and being better in the future. There was an excellent(ly frustrating) end to the novel, which made me wish we had just a chapter (or a few more) to learn exactly how Madrona and Morgan ended up. That being said, this series is an excellent set up for the City of Magic book series, which I have almost already devoured in whole.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Quiver of Cobras by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One wondrous faery with stupendous magical skills and a superior mind (not to mention incredible modesty). One drop dead gorgeous, green eyed stud muffin and his evil Fey brother. And the end of the world. Maybe.

Madrona might still not remember anything about her past, and she might be more of an evil villain than a fabulous super hero, but that doesn’t mean she can’t also be a super spy. With Rubus desperately searching for the magical dragon sphere which can return the faeries back to their homeland – and cause the apocalypse in this land – she doesn’t have much choice.

Someone with wit, intelligence and strength has to step up and save the world … and if that person happens to look super sexy while doing it then that’s just an added bonus.

This is the second book in the urban fantasy series, The Fractured Faery, and ends with a nail-biting cliffhanger.

Review:
Oh. My. Gosh. Of COURSE I’m already reading book 3 because that cliffhanger is a doozy! This book is absolutely stunning, with Madrona coming into herself and learning both her personal style as well as continuing with her gigantic ego. There was definitely a part that I found very touching, albeit sad, but I quite loved the ending reveal and hadn’t figured it out exactly on my own, despite there being so many little nudges that we should have pieced it together (or that Morgan should have!) We have a bunch of awesome characters and it’s good to see Madrona trying to be her best good/bad self!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Box of Frogs by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One corpse. Several bizarre looking attackers. Some very strange magical powers. And a severe bout of amnesia.

It’s one thing to wake up outside in the middle of the night with a decapitated man for company. It’s another to have no memory of how you got there – or who you are. She might not know her own name but she knows that several people are out to get her. It could be because she has strange magical powers seemingly at her fingertips and is some kind of fabulous hero. But then why does she appear to inspire fear in so many? And who on earth is the sexy, green-eyed barman who apparently despises her?

So many questions … and so few answers. At least one thing is for sure – the streets of Manchester have never met someone quite as mad as Madrona…

Review:
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book when I started it, but oh my gosh do I love Maddy! The entire book centers around Madrona not really knowing who she is and trying to find herself and who she can trust along the way. I had an idea from the start that our superhero may not be as benevolent as she thought herself, and I quite enjoyed the ride from start to finish, having to immediately start book 2. While this isn’t the same feel as the other Harper novels I’ve read and loved (Slouch Witch series, Firebrand) Madrona has such a kickass personality that you cannot help but need to know what happens next, becoming very quickly addicted to the story from the very first page.

It’s urban/modern fantasy, there’s fae, there’s A HUGE CLIFFHANGER, but the next book is out so go for it and read this book!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of A Hoot and a Hex by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
The Ides of March bring mayhem and magic when Astra Arden and her sisters host the Roman-themed festival of Hilaria in Forkbridge. But the revelry comes screeching to a halt when Councilwoman Viola Tullus is found dead, entombed in concrete like a modern-day Roman building sacrifice.

With angry accusations flying as swiftly as Archie, Astra must sift through a myriad of motives to cement the truth. Could the killer be a disgruntled citizen seeking revenge against the controversial councilwoman? Was her desire to bulldoze family farms to make way for new developments simply too much for someone to bear?

Between keeping the festival running smoothly, managing her annoyed owl, and juggling her romantic relationship with the werewolf, Astra has her hands full. And with a clever killer masking themselves in the festival crowds, danger lurks around every toga-draped corner.

Can Astra catch the killer before Forkbridge falls like the Roman Empire? Or will the dark deeds continue under the cover of festivity? Find out in this delightful tale filled with twists, turns, and a talon-ful of trouble.

This paranormal cozy mystery is perfect for adults and free of gore, intimate scenes, and profanity.

Review:
Another sweet jump into Astra’s life. It’s neat to see how she’s doing in terms of building better relationships, especially with her father and Lothian. I do love that there is always so much background done on festival and mythological things in these books. Even Noctua’s name had an interesting meaning and backstory, and it was very neat how Leeds had them discover it in a totally relevant and believable way. While the cse seemed quite obvious, I loved all the twists and turns and reveals that I didn’t see coming. I quite loved this story and hope that in the future Emma goes back to full time police work, and that Lothian offers Logan a job!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Sparkle Witch: A Novella by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Snow. Santa. Snuggles… Stress.

You would think December would be Ivy’s ideal time of year. After all, festivities abound and witches everywhere are encouraged to put their feet up and relax. That’s not quite the case when she has various Order members attempting to finagle her into Christmas activities and a special artefact from the top of the Christmas tree goes missing. Either someone is attempting to sabotage Winter or something very strange is afoot indeed.

This is a short holiday novella.

Review:
It has been ages since I read this book but I instantly fell right back into love with Ivy and Harper’s writing. This was a very sweet little story in which you see Ivy’s snark, her delegation, and some great and beautiful moments with some familiars. I absolutely loved how this gave a little snippet into everyone’s lives, Ivy got to interfere with people’s lives a bit and blow off the work she should have been happily doing. All in all, very on par for Ivy, and such a very sweet and lovely little novella.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

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Synopsis:
This isn’t the kind of fairy tale where the princess marries a prince.

It’s the one where she kills him.

Marra — a shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter — is relieved not to be married off for the sake of her parents’ throne. Her older sister wasn’t so fortunate though, and her royal husband is as abusive as he is powerful. From the safety of the convent, Marra wonders who will come to her sister’s rescue and put a stop to this. But after years of watching their families and kingdoms pretend all is well, Marra realizes if any hero is coming, it will have to be Marra herself.

If Marra can complete three impossible tasks, a witch will grant her the tools she needs. But, as is the way in stories of princes and the impossible, these tasks are only the beginning of Marra’s strange and enchanting journey to save her sister and topple a throne.

Review:
I was looking for something to read on the 15th while waiting for the next Emily Wilde book to come out and I have to say that I didn’t expect to be completely swept away to another world that I did not want to leave. Instantly we are transported to a world where Marra is set trying to do three impossible things while considering her worth and abilities as the third royal daughter of a kingdom. There are so many amazing twists and turns of dark magic, forcing oneself to forge forward into what should be impossible, the knowledge gained in least expected places, and the relationships forged along the way.

Marra finds herself not as smart or brave as she wishes she could be, yet she pushes herself to become an unlikely heroine- a nun with more power than a princess. Throughout the novel she demonstrates countless times how her real knowledge came from those who nurtured her, realizing things such as “our own flaws infuriate us in other people”. (Chapter 12, Page 132) Marra has a few qualities that I found myself completely empathizing with and I’m sure many would feel the same; the desire to help others and make things right (even if the others do not see/desire it themselves), and that when putting forth to a huge task there is a daunting sense that despite having done so much it was still just the beginning and there is still so much more to do. It is a truth well known that it is quite hard to keep direction when it’s you that you are following.

I highly recommend this book and very much think it will be a standout read of 2024. It’s got an epic fantasy adventure, a demon, people who speak to the dead, those who are trying to do the impossible to save their family, and those they come to love along the way.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Modern Girl’s Guide to Magic: A magical romantic comedy by Linsey Hall

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Synopsis:
So here’s the deal—I’m a magical disaster. A witch from a family of witches, and the only one whose magic blows up in her face. Which is why I came up with my rules…

1. Never get involved with magic

2. If you must get involved, do not enter a competition to win the biggest magical fortune in England

3. And definitely don’t fall for Callan Hawthorne, the sexy billionaire mage who you’ve hated for years

So how the heck do I end up in a situation that promises to break all those rules? It’s the only way to save Seaside Spells, my family’s magical potion shop.

But it’s cool. When I go back home to Charming Cove—a village of ancient pubs and foul-mouthed familiars—I will totally ignore Witch Weekly’s Sexiest Man of the Year. I’ll win the competition, and if I’m lucky, I won’t turn myself into a toad in the process.

This’ll be fine. It’ll all be fine.

Riiiight.

Review:
Aria is quite an intriguing character as is Boris, and while Callan might seem standoffish, he becomes quite understood as time goes by. While this book seems to be a bit of split perspective from Aria and Callan, it is predominantly about Aria reclaiming her life and figuring out that just because you’re different doesn’t make you bad. I loved the past connection and bits of flash backs from Callan and Aria’s past. Callan does nothing but endear as he continuously does all he can to help Aria become her best self, and I am all for that. I picked up one saying that I hadn’t heard before this novel that I quite liked and think everyone would do well to consider in life: “There was no need to borrow trouble.” This is a quirky quick cozy light fantasy romance read that while not holding much depth, does leave the reader with warm fuzzy feelings afterwards.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Review of A Fate of Flame by Tessonja Odette

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Synopsis:
An ancient prophecy.
A destiny of flame.
A war to end two worlds…

A dark prophecy binds Cora’s fate to the fae realm—a world that would have been her doom if she hadn’t escaped with her life. Now she’s determined to put destiny behind her and focus on her world, her kingdom, and her much-anticipated wedding.

But when dragons emerge from the veil between worlds, threatening her land with deadly flame, she must return to the fae and make allies of those who had once condemned her to die.

Yet dragons and fae are the least of her foes. Her greatest enemy marches on her kingdom, and he won’t stop until he controls fae magic. Fate and fire collide, but Cora isn’t alone. She, Teryn, Mareleau, and Larylis each have a role to play in protecting two realms from an ancient king who can walk between worlds.

When the dust clears and the ashes settle, will the embers of hope remain?

A Fate of Flame is the final book in the Prophecy of the Forgotten Fae trilogy. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Air Awakens, and Shadow and Bone. If you like breathtaking magic, fierce heroines, and slow burn romance, then you’ll love this epic fantasy tale.

A Fate of Flame is an upper YA/NA fantasy that contains some violence and gore, moderately steamy romance, and adult situations such as pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, and marriage.

NOTE: A Fate of Flame is based on an older version of the book, Shades of Prophecy. This updated edition has been fully rewritten and includes some plot changes, name changes, and other modifications from the original. The original edition has been unpublished.

Review:
I absolutely devoured the first two in this series but found this to be a little harder to fall into. That may be because when I did let myself fall into it I couldn’t get out and just wanted to read just one more chapter repeatedly. It was great to see Teryn and Cora continue to build and grow their relationship, and Valorre was as adorable and perfect as ever. I quite enjoyed seeing how Teryn and Cora constantly had to put their kingdom’s first and their relationship second. I enjoyed seeing Mareleau develop further and show that while she may be able to pretend she is always fine, sometimes she is not, and that is okay. Cora has to work hard to prove to herself that she is compassionate and a good friend. All in all, there was a lot of growth from Mareleau, Larylis, Teryn, Cora and Valorre. The ending was absolutely bittersweet, but Cora, Teryn, and Valorre will always have a little bit of my heart.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 

Review of Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

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Synopsis:
For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings . . . until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game — and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy.

Review:
“If you think I’m jealous because someone else got to stab you, then you’re right.” (Page 329)

Magic and curses and the power of true love- what’s not to like? I absolutely love that this is a series set in the same world as Caraval with a few characters we know and oh so many new developments. I quite enjoy the stakes of this series, and how the truth of one’s emotions are learned through their actions. While parts of the series seemed like everything was obvious, the twists and turns left much ambiguous and to be discovered in full in future books. The depth and development of the characters is something that truly brings the world to life, just as much if not more than the magic we end up chasing. I love how everything is left to chance and there is always the possibility to change your future; much like real life.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Owl Spell Broke Loose by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
Astra Arden never expected to find murder at a self-help festival organized by a secretive sect. But when an unexplained storm cuts off all communication with the mainland, she realizes she’d better solve it—and fast.

When Astra Arden agreed to join her best friend on a camping trip to a private tropical island, she had no idea what was in store. But when the four-day festival looks like it’s run by a warring self-help cult, and the island seems to be claimed by a mysterious goddess with a hidden agenda, Astra soon finds herself in a whirlwind of intrigue and secret agendas that she can’t ignore.

As they try to make sense of the clues and solve the mystery, they realize that the danger is closer than they thought, and that someone on the island is determined to keep the truth hidden at any cost.

But with the stakes so high and the clock ticking down, will Astra and Archie be able to solve the mystery in time—or will they become the next victims?

Review:
This book was absolutely brilliant. Betrayal, insanity, Astra having to depend on and trust her magic. I loved how all of the relationships were tested and put through the ringer and that Astra and Archie, through their combined sass, had to try to figure out exactly what is going on. The characterization is spot on and you’re left wondering right at the end whether or not Astra will be able to survive this encounter. I love the use of magic that connect both to ancient India as well as The Golden Compass and Harry Potter; this author clearly has good taste! Looking forward to continuing the series and seeing exactly where Astra finally ends up. This book is the first of the series I’d give a full five stars to; it wasn’t obvious what was happening and there were enough twists and turns to leave you wondering up until the end.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯