Tag: adult fantasy

REVIEW: Falling into Magic by Elizabeth Pantley

REVIEW: Falling into Magic by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Hayden was a child she got “weird” when it came to mirrors. She once saw a strange boy through a mirror and felt like she almost got sucked into one. When her cat went missing, her family told her it must have gotten out and wandered off. But Hayden was sure it was the mirror.

Ever since, Hayden has stayed away from mirrors. But after an accident, Hayden finds herself in that mirror world – Destiny Falls. She finds long lost family, a magical mansion, a mystery, and a dead body.

Review

I know that’s a super short summary, but I don’t want to ruin any of the delightful world-building in this book.

What a treat! I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story, but I found great characters and a fascinating setting with a twisty and engaging mystery. It was a start to finish read. I have so many questions! The biggest is when I can get my hands on book 2. (The answer is March 15 – The Disappearance of Emily.)

There are so many pieces of this that were perfect for me as a reader:

  • Hayden is a great protagonist – she’s bright and curious. I loved watching her sleuthing on the murder as well as her investigation of her new surroundings and situation.
  • She’s pulled into a magical world that is great. A lot of the magic has a fun “Room of Requirement” feel to it that I thoroughly enjoyed.
  • Hayden’s long lost family – and the history of that family – is fascinating. And there are still questions there to explore.
  • The mystery is much larger than the murder. I loved how it developed across the whole book, bit by bit. One of the fast few clues pulled it all together for me. I loved watching it all work out.
  • If I had to pick a genre for this I would say it is more fantasy than mystery because the larger story is about Hayden, about this family and mirror world, about the magic there and her adjustment to it, and about the mysterious characters causing trouble there. But the fantasy and mystery pieces are so well woven together, it’s hard to separate them from each other. And both genres are a big appeal for me.

If you are looking for a magical cozy with a great protagonist and a strong family legacy angle, don’t hesitate to pick this one up. I loved it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Princess Knight by G. A. Aiken

REVIEW: The Princess Knight by G. A. Aiken

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Keeley has taken up the title of The Blacksmith Queen out of obligation. Her soulless younger sister, Beatrix, has married the Old King’s merciless son, Marius. She helps him in his quest to kill his brothers and have the throne to himself. Although her true aims have nothing to do with her husband. He is a means to an end. Keeley can’t have the murderous couple in charge. So while she’d rather return to her forge and her comparatively quiet life, she leads and she fights.

Keeley’s sister, Gemma, fights at her side. The two also fight with each other every chance they get. But when push comes to shove, they always have each other’s backs.

When someone starts wiping out the various religious orders in the land, including Gemma’s War Monks, she returns to her old order, hoping to convince them to take Keeley’s offer of sanctuary. But Gemma’s order has changed a lot in the two years since she left.

While Gemma deals with the War Monks, Keeley is still trying to figure out what Beatrix is up to and how to stop her. It may seem like all of their worries when this began two years ago were unfounded. But anyone who knew Beatrix would know she’ll stop at nothing but full control and domination. They may not yet see or know what she is plotting, but there is no doubt she is up to no good.

Review

I cannot get enough of this series! I reread book 1, The Blacksmith Queen (♥♥♥♥♥) to prepare for this, and then read this cover to cover. In fact, I’m ready to read this again, and I just finished. This is far more gory and violent than I usually like or read, but the story and the characters are outstanding enough that I push past the yuck to stick with the awesome rest.

You will likely find this in the romance section of the bookstore, but for me this is a fantasy series first and foremost. Yes, there’s a romance in each book. But the real focus here is on the world, the political and religious action, and on this particular family.

I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy the shift from Keeley as the focus in book 1 to Gemma as the focus here. But it was perfect! We get a tremendous amount of information and understanding for Gemma here, and I loved it. This made me like her more than I did in book 1. I have my fingers crossed that Ainsley is the focus of book 3 because she was probably my favorite character in this book full of awesome characters.

I keep coming back to this series for the excellent world-building, the humor and sass in the writing, and the fantastic characters. There are tons of fantasy elements here – magic, sword fights, allies and enemies – with some romance thrown in. For me, this is the perfect blend of genres! (Language, sex, violence/gore, LGBTQ+, TW: Sexual assault)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Sisters of the Fire by Kim Wilkins

REVIEW: Sisters of the Fire by Kim Wilkins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Five sisters. Daughters of King Athelrick. Each strong willed and determined to chart her own course.

  • BLUEBELL, the eldest. When her father fell ill in book one, Daughters of the Storm, she corralled her family on a quest to secure his healing. Now she rules again by his side, and grooms her niece to someday be her heir.
  • ROSE ignored reason and duty to pursue forbidden love in Daughters of the Storm. Now she lives in an exile of sorts, the people most precious to her out of her reach, maybe forever.
  • ASH discovered new elements of her magical powers in Daughters. She also saw a vision of her own future – and the many lives that will be destroyed along with her. So she lives in a self-imposed exile, bound to another magic wielder with murky motives.
  • IVY has always been the flighty, dramatic one. She wants to be adored and fawned over – the stereotypical “princess.” In Daughters, her selfish actions kicked off a chain reaction that would pull part of her family apart. But now, four years later, she has her own family, her own power and her own lover. And she has plans to get all that she believes she deserves.
  • Ivy’s twin, WILLOW, has denied the faith of her ancestors and family in favor of the trimartyr god, Maava. She hears Maava’s “angels” in her head, and she is willing to betray her “heathen” family for all Maava promises. The betrayals began in Daughters continue here.

The family drama continues to grow as Rose’s daughter, Rowan – Bluebell’s chosen successor – discovers her heritage. She follows her growing powers into danger. Soon the threads of the family are being drawn together again to rescue Rowan and face other threats on every side.

Review

I am thoroughly enjoying this series! The female characters are fascinating – strong, distinct and complicated. The world has a fairly simple magical system that makes it firmly a fantasy story, but the magic doesn’t overshadow the family dynamics at the heart of these books. I would recommend reading them in order to get the best and most full view of this family.

At it’s core, this is a story of family. Sacrifices made for it, and betrayals made against it. And page after page I wonder how it will all turn out. Which alliance will become important next? Which sister will grow up and perhaps join the more responsible parts of the family? Is there something more going on with this piece or that piece? It’s fantastic!

Goodreads says book three will be called Queens of the Sea, but I can’t find a release date for it yet, as Sisters is still so new. I already have Queens on my reading wish list because I can’t wait to see what happens next for these six women. If you enjoy mature fantasy stories, be sure to check out this series! I have thoroughly enjoyed it. (Language, violence, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

(Rating for Daughters of the Storm – ♥♥♥♥½)