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Recommend this book:
Mathsmagica
Light's Shadow
Daniel Georgiev
2025 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow by Daniel Georgiev is the gripping second installment in the Mathsmagica series, where magic and mathematics intertwine. Harmony Enforcers Sova, Evie, and Nilah continue their studies, unaware of the looming chaos whilst dragons resurface and threaten to change reality as they know it. Meanwhile, Avos, a shadowy figure, seeks to manipulate events to rewrite the rules. While the trio’s journey takes them to the Castle of Wax, a labyrinth of magic and danger, the characters must face unimaginable trials and unlock hidden powers. This fast-paced fantasy is filled with daring adventures, intricate magic, and poignant themes of unity and destiny.
Author Daniel Georgiev has a knack for making concepts work together, and there's a clear passion for the world of mathematics in this inventive novel that becomes more infectious the more you read on. The fusion of math and magic as a central concept creates a refreshingly original fantasy world where things make logical sense, but everything is new and exciting. I liked the central trio of characters, and their struggles with identity and the power of friendship are themes that readers can relate to. I'm a big fan of dark and mysterious characters, so Avos was a real treat to explore as a complex figure haunting their every move, with genuine motivations beyond just chaos for the sake of it. Attention to detail is also present in the fast-moving plot, which is full of twists and high-stakes battles with cinematic moments on every page. Overall, Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow is a fantastic sequel novel that enhances the story world and characters even more. I can't wait to see what comes next in this highly recommended fantasy series.
Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow by Daniel Georgiev is the gripping second installment in the Mathsmagica series, where magic and mathematics intertwine. Harmony Enforcers Sova, Evie, and Nilah continue their studies, unaware of the looming chaos whilst dragons resurface and threaten to change reality as they know it. Meanwhile, Avos, a shadowy figure, seeks to manipulate events to rewrite the rules. While the trio’s journey takes them to the Castle of Wax, a labyrinth of magic and danger, the characters must face unimaginable trials and unlock hidden powers. This fast-paced fantasy is filled with daring adventures, intricate magic, and poignant themes of unity and destiny.
Author Daniel Georgiev has a knack for making concepts work together, and there's a clear passion for the world of mathematics in this inventive novel that becomes more infectious the more you read on. The fusion of math and magic as a central concept creates a refreshingly original fantasy world where things make logical sense, but everything is new and exciting. I liked the central trio of characters, and their struggles with identity and the power of friendship are themes that readers can relate to. I'm a big fan of dark and mysterious characters, so Avos was a real treat to explore as a complex figure haunting their every move, with genuine motivations beyond just chaos for the sake of it. Attention to detail is also present in the fast-moving plot, which is full of twists and high-stakes battles with cinematic moments on every page. Overall, Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow is a fantastic sequel novel that enhances the story world and characters even more. I can't wait to see what comes next in this highly recommended fantasy series.
Recommend this book:
Skull's Vengeance
Linnea Tanner
2025 Honorable Mention
402 Pages
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Skull's Vengeance is a work of fiction in the action and fantasy subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to graphic scenes of sex and violence, as well as some explicit language, and was penned by Linnea Tanner. The work forms the fourth book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. In this high-octane work of sword and sorcery, we find ourselves with our central protagonist Catrin, a Celtic warrior queen who must reunite with her secret Roman husband Marcellus to finally vanquish her wicked half-brother King Marrock. To defeat this powerful sorcerer, Catrin will be tested to her emotional, physical, and magical limits as Rome and Britannia continue to clash everywhere she turns.
It's always refreshing to be able to enjoy a book series at whichever point you join in, and Linnea Tanner does a great job of bringing readers directly into the action whilst also feeding the relevant backstory into the novel early on to make sure that we learn or remember important series details for everything to make sense. After this, the plot rockets off at a fantastic pace that amps up the tension at every turn, making for a surprisingly quick read filled with passion, bloodshed, and some very cinematic and exciting dark magic to top it all off. I enjoyed Marrock as a central villain with credible powers that make good sense according to the work’s internal logic, and the climax of the work serves to test Catrin’s mettle and keep readers’ hearts in their throats. I would certainly recommend Skull's Vengeance to fans of the existing series, and Tanner’s writing to fantasy readers everywhere.
Skull's Vengeance is a work of fiction in the action and fantasy subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to graphic scenes of sex and violence, as well as some explicit language, and was penned by Linnea Tanner. The work forms the fourth book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. In this high-octane work of sword and sorcery, we find ourselves with our central protagonist Catrin, a Celtic warrior queen who must reunite with her secret Roman husband Marcellus to finally vanquish her wicked half-brother King Marrock. To defeat this powerful sorcerer, Catrin will be tested to her emotional, physical, and magical limits as Rome and Britannia continue to clash everywhere she turns.
It's always refreshing to be able to enjoy a book series at whichever point you join in, and Linnea Tanner does a great job of bringing readers directly into the action whilst also feeding the relevant backstory into the novel early on to make sure that we learn or remember important series details for everything to make sense. After this, the plot rockets off at a fantastic pace that amps up the tension at every turn, making for a surprisingly quick read filled with passion, bloodshed, and some very cinematic and exciting dark magic to top it all off. I enjoyed Marrock as a central villain with credible powers that make good sense according to the work’s internal logic, and the climax of the work serves to test Catrin’s mettle and keep readers’ hearts in their throats. I would certainly recommend Skull's Vengeance to fans of the existing series, and Tanner’s writing to fantasy readers everywhere.
Recommend this book:
Don't Mess With Anna
A Reckoning in Blood and Ink
Celeste Prater
2025 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Don't Mess With Anna: A Reckoning in Blood and Ink by Celeste Prater is a genre-bending fantasy tale of vengeance, redemption, and the transformative power of justice. When Anna DeMarco, a writer whose soul was fractured by a remorseless critic, conjures a world of karma and dark magic, her tormentor, Milton Smith, is thrust into a brutal alternate realm shaped by her imagination. In this dangerous new land, where curses cut deeper than blades and labor is punishment, Milton must survive trials that force him to confront the pain he caused and the arrogance that defined him. With no knights in shining armor and no easy escapes, this tale fuses contemporary emotion with medieval grit, offering a brutal but redemptive narrative of reckoning.
Author Celeste Prater draws readers in immediately with this clever concept that offers a lot of intrigue. She uses that initial hook to craft a wholly original dark fantasy with modern flair and mythic weight that is sure to satisfy readers from cover to cover. The first thing that struck me right from the start was the strength in the narrative voice. This resounds with all the fierce, unapologetic, and emotionally charged energy you’d expect from a woman in Anna’s position and sets up a confidently told story that’s perfect for fans of vengeance arcs to sink their teeth into. Milton’s torment is never overdone to sound ridiculous or incredulous. The realism in the pain makes this a realistic, visceral, cathartic read that flips the script on both fantasy and real-world power dynamics by doing both things convincingly. Overall, Don't Mess With Anna is a bold, imaginative, and brutally honest read that leaves a lasting impression, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
Don't Mess With Anna: A Reckoning in Blood and Ink by Celeste Prater is a genre-bending fantasy tale of vengeance, redemption, and the transformative power of justice. When Anna DeMarco, a writer whose soul was fractured by a remorseless critic, conjures a world of karma and dark magic, her tormentor, Milton Smith, is thrust into a brutal alternate realm shaped by her imagination. In this dangerous new land, where curses cut deeper than blades and labor is punishment, Milton must survive trials that force him to confront the pain he caused and the arrogance that defined him. With no knights in shining armor and no easy escapes, this tale fuses contemporary emotion with medieval grit, offering a brutal but redemptive narrative of reckoning.
Author Celeste Prater draws readers in immediately with this clever concept that offers a lot of intrigue. She uses that initial hook to craft a wholly original dark fantasy with modern flair and mythic weight that is sure to satisfy readers from cover to cover. The first thing that struck me right from the start was the strength in the narrative voice. This resounds with all the fierce, unapologetic, and emotionally charged energy you’d expect from a woman in Anna’s position and sets up a confidently told story that’s perfect for fans of vengeance arcs to sink their teeth into. Milton’s torment is never overdone to sound ridiculous or incredulous. The realism in the pain makes this a realistic, visceral, cathartic read that flips the script on both fantasy and real-world power dynamics by doing both things convincingly. Overall, Don't Mess With Anna is a bold, imaginative, and brutally honest read that leaves a lasting impression, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Labyrinth of Shadows
The Witch's Rebirth
Michaela Riley
2025 Silver Medal
540 Pages
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite
In Michaela Riley’s Labyrinth of Shadows, it’s the year 478 AD. Humans are locked in deadly combat with legions from the depths of hell. When the world was young, witches were respected. They fought alongside great warriors, battled mythical beasts, and shaped the very fabric of reality. But then, a powerful dark army, unlike any they had ever encountered, rose from the depths, bloodthirsty and craving power and control. The end of days had come. To save the world from plunging into the darkness closing in, the gods sent a witch from the future: a child carrying the spirits of the ancients, the elementals, and even the fading echoes of forgotten deities. Change was coming—one that would bring destruction and salvation. The fate of all rested in Merona’s hands.
Labyrinth of Shadows by Michaela Riley is breathtakingly good. Formidable forces and distinct heroes clash in a confrontation that will shake the very foundations of history and reality itself. It is about destiny, change, transformation, friendship, love, and the price we pay to live, love, and be loved. Even deeper, the book explores past lives and offers some very thought-provoking insights into the soul and the possibility of it being eternal. Dynamic scenes and descriptions connect you with the environment, and in the first few minutes of reading, we are transported to 5th-century Western Europe. Here, we find the ancients in the process of a traditional and powerful ritual deep in the dead of night of Samhain, a time when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. When a dark force comes, the High Priestess leads her people deep into the woods in search of answers. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something unholy lurked high up in the trees, watching. And it was! As the battles roar on and an unrelenting storm of claws, fangs, spells, and blades clash, you feel the unfolding action wrap around you. Fans of pulse-pounding thrillers, historical fiction, and magic steeped in mythology will find this book a real treat. It is brilliant.
In Michaela Riley’s Labyrinth of Shadows, it’s the year 478 AD. Humans are locked in deadly combat with legions from the depths of hell. When the world was young, witches were respected. They fought alongside great warriors, battled mythical beasts, and shaped the very fabric of reality. But then, a powerful dark army, unlike any they had ever encountered, rose from the depths, bloodthirsty and craving power and control. The end of days had come. To save the world from plunging into the darkness closing in, the gods sent a witch from the future: a child carrying the spirits of the ancients, the elementals, and even the fading echoes of forgotten deities. Change was coming—one that would bring destruction and salvation. The fate of all rested in Merona’s hands.
Labyrinth of Shadows by Michaela Riley is breathtakingly good. Formidable forces and distinct heroes clash in a confrontation that will shake the very foundations of history and reality itself. It is about destiny, change, transformation, friendship, love, and the price we pay to live, love, and be loved. Even deeper, the book explores past lives and offers some very thought-provoking insights into the soul and the possibility of it being eternal. Dynamic scenes and descriptions connect you with the environment, and in the first few minutes of reading, we are transported to 5th-century Western Europe. Here, we find the ancients in the process of a traditional and powerful ritual deep in the dead of night of Samhain, a time when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. When a dark force comes, the High Priestess leads her people deep into the woods in search of answers. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something unholy lurked high up in the trees, watching. And it was! As the battles roar on and an unrelenting storm of claws, fangs, spells, and blades clash, you feel the unfolding action wrap around you. Fans of pulse-pounding thrillers, historical fiction, and magic steeped in mythology will find this book a real treat. It is brilliant.
Recommend this book:
Through Ashes and War
The Forged and The Fallen Book 3
R.M. Schultz
2025 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Through Ashes and War by R.M. Schultz is the third book in The Forged and The Fallen fantasy series. In book one, the Dragon Queen of Murgare seeks revenge for her murdered king, targeting Nevergrace. Cyran Orendain forms an alliance with the dragon Eidelmere, gaining magic and weapon skills. His sister, Jaslin, discovers a mysterious power to lead their people, and dragon thief Pravon serves a hidden employer with influence on the war's outcome. In book two, Cyran searches for the Queen's remains, facing Murgare's retaliation. Jaslin seeks answers about the murder in Galvenstone while Pravon follows an assassin hunting emissaries to prevent peace, and dark forces gather. Now, Cyran secures his kingdom’s victory in the second Dragon Wars, but darkness looms. The Queen is confined, and his past, the king, dragons, and a newly hatched creature threaten the world. Jaslin seeks to share vital knowledge, while Pravon pursues Cyran as the Cimerenden hordes advance.
R.M. Schultz's Through Ashes and War is a fantastically and intricately created fantasy world that has been built over the past two books, and explodes in this third installment. Schultz continues to build on an abundant magic system, harnessing elements like the neblír, spirits, and threads that are attached to a unique ethereal dimension within the story. This extraordinary backdrop elevates the ongoing conflicts, particularly Cyran’s battles against both physical and magical forces. As a female reader, I appreciate Schultz’s intentional inclusion of deep-seated gender and power, with Jaslin being the standout here as she defies societal expectations and tears down barriers in a world where magic and intellect are often viewed as gendered. And then, of course, there are the dragons! Each has their abilities, ranging from healing rose dragons to storm-breathers, and they are exceptional. Schultz’s writing melds together this and so much more, and gifts us with a gorgeous reading experience. Very highly recommended.
Through Ashes and War by R.M. Schultz is the third book in The Forged and The Fallen fantasy series. In book one, the Dragon Queen of Murgare seeks revenge for her murdered king, targeting Nevergrace. Cyran Orendain forms an alliance with the dragon Eidelmere, gaining magic and weapon skills. His sister, Jaslin, discovers a mysterious power to lead their people, and dragon thief Pravon serves a hidden employer with influence on the war's outcome. In book two, Cyran searches for the Queen's remains, facing Murgare's retaliation. Jaslin seeks answers about the murder in Galvenstone while Pravon follows an assassin hunting emissaries to prevent peace, and dark forces gather. Now, Cyran secures his kingdom’s victory in the second Dragon Wars, but darkness looms. The Queen is confined, and his past, the king, dragons, and a newly hatched creature threaten the world. Jaslin seeks to share vital knowledge, while Pravon pursues Cyran as the Cimerenden hordes advance.
R.M. Schultz's Through Ashes and War is a fantastically and intricately created fantasy world that has been built over the past two books, and explodes in this third installment. Schultz continues to build on an abundant magic system, harnessing elements like the neblír, spirits, and threads that are attached to a unique ethereal dimension within the story. This extraordinary backdrop elevates the ongoing conflicts, particularly Cyran’s battles against both physical and magical forces. As a female reader, I appreciate Schultz’s intentional inclusion of deep-seated gender and power, with Jaslin being the standout here as she defies societal expectations and tears down barriers in a world where magic and intellect are often viewed as gendered. And then, of course, there are the dragons! Each has their abilities, ranging from healing rose dragons to storm-breathers, and they are exceptional. Schultz’s writing melds together this and so much more, and gifts us with a gorgeous reading experience. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Journey of Souls
Rebecca Margaret Warner
2024 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Tracy Traynor for Readers' Favorite
Journey of Souls by Rebecca Warner is full of drama, mystery, and mysticism. This book could easily have been called ‘The Decline of a Devout Lady’ as the Countess of Mirefoix starts with prayerful good intentions, but her first sin sets her on a course of total destruction. When her husband returns from the Crusades, the countess sees no way forward for herself or her people and in despair commits her second sin with the aid of her lover. The dreadful tragedy that follows lies solely in this woman’s hands. Trying to fix things, she enters into sorcery and begins summoning souls from other places and times. The problem is that the Jinns are deceitful and never answer her requests in the way she wants. Four ‘souls’ are pulled from another time and place and enter the bodies of those she would sacrifice. It is her undoing.
Rebecca Warner interweaves elements of history, mysticism, and fantasy, spinning a fantastic take on the Dark Ages. She brings history alive in this gritty tale. Journey of Souls explores the depths of sin and the pursuit of forgiveness and redemption. With dark sorcery and brutally realistic elements to living in France in 1206, this fantasy tangos with macabre elements of human nature and blends it with hope, desire, and love. Journey of Souls has rich historical content and is very atmospheric. In an era when all women were subordinate to men, both peasant and noble, this story reveals the plight of a handful of women and the hardships they encounter. Wondering if any of them would ever reach a happy ending kept me turning pages to the very end. A gripping read.
Journey of Souls by Rebecca Warner is full of drama, mystery, and mysticism. This book could easily have been called ‘The Decline of a Devout Lady’ as the Countess of Mirefoix starts with prayerful good intentions, but her first sin sets her on a course of total destruction. When her husband returns from the Crusades, the countess sees no way forward for herself or her people and in despair commits her second sin with the aid of her lover. The dreadful tragedy that follows lies solely in this woman’s hands. Trying to fix things, she enters into sorcery and begins summoning souls from other places and times. The problem is that the Jinns are deceitful and never answer her requests in the way she wants. Four ‘souls’ are pulled from another time and place and enter the bodies of those she would sacrifice. It is her undoing.
Rebecca Warner interweaves elements of history, mysticism, and fantasy, spinning a fantastic take on the Dark Ages. She brings history alive in this gritty tale. Journey of Souls explores the depths of sin and the pursuit of forgiveness and redemption. With dark sorcery and brutally realistic elements to living in France in 1206, this fantasy tangos with macabre elements of human nature and blends it with hope, desire, and love. Journey of Souls has rich historical content and is very atmospheric. In an era when all women were subordinate to men, both peasant and noble, this story reveals the plight of a handful of women and the hardships they encounter. Wondering if any of them would ever reach a happy ending kept me turning pages to the very end. A gripping read.
Recommend this book:
 by Linnea Tanner begins with Catrin losing her family and kingdom. Never in her wildest dreams did Catrin imagined herself being a slave to a Roman. Nevertheless, after the Romans won the battle against King Amren (her father) and Marrock (her step-brother) became the client king of the Cantiaci...){kind=link}
Amulet's Rapture
Curse of Clansmen and Kings Book 3
Linnea Tanner
2024 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite
Amulet's Rapture (Curse of Clansmen and Kings Book 3) by Linnea Tanner begins with Catrin losing her family and kingdom. Never in her wildest dreams did Catrin imagined herself being a slave to a Roman. Nevertheless, after the Romans won the battle against King Amren (her father) and Marrock (her step-brother) became the client king of the Cantiaci kingdom, this was her brutal reality. The Roman tribune Decimus enslaved her, named her Vibius, and ensured that everyone would believe her to be a boy. Since Marrock had murdered both her mother and father, Catrin had also lost her identity as a Cantiaci princess.
Although Catrin started as a damsel in distress, who was always seeking her prince to come and save her, her character quickly blossomed into a warrior. Soon, she began finding ways to save herself and destroy the ones who tormented her. This transformation is nothing less than epic. Decimus' disdainful treatment of Catrin evoked strong emotions, yet there was more complexity to his ambitious character than mere wickedness. By following his brain more than his heart, Marcellus captured the logical side of my brain but failed to make an impression on my heart.
When Catrin desperately needed a savior, Marcellus was trying to play by the rules set by her captor. I could feel Catrin's anguish and heartbreak over her circumstances; still, her courage and determination astonished me. Catrin embodies every aspect of a real warrior princess. The third book in Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Amulet's Rapture by Linnea Tanner is the story of the survival and transformation of Catrin. The plot is packed with action, politics, corruption, ambition, prophecies, and ancient magic. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. With a gripping plot, mindblowing storytelling, and unpredictable twists, Amulet's Rapture by Linnea Tanner is going to be among my top three favorites of this year.
Amulet's Rapture (Curse of Clansmen and Kings Book 3) by Linnea Tanner begins with Catrin losing her family and kingdom. Never in her wildest dreams did Catrin imagined herself being a slave to a Roman. Nevertheless, after the Romans won the battle against King Amren (her father) and Marrock (her step-brother) became the client king of the Cantiaci kingdom, this was her brutal reality. The Roman tribune Decimus enslaved her, named her Vibius, and ensured that everyone would believe her to be a boy. Since Marrock had murdered both her mother and father, Catrin had also lost her identity as a Cantiaci princess.
Although Catrin started as a damsel in distress, who was always seeking her prince to come and save her, her character quickly blossomed into a warrior. Soon, she began finding ways to save herself and destroy the ones who tormented her. This transformation is nothing less than epic. Decimus' disdainful treatment of Catrin evoked strong emotions, yet there was more complexity to his ambitious character than mere wickedness. By following his brain more than his heart, Marcellus captured the logical side of my brain but failed to make an impression on my heart.
When Catrin desperately needed a savior, Marcellus was trying to play by the rules set by her captor. I could feel Catrin's anguish and heartbreak over her circumstances; still, her courage and determination astonished me. Catrin embodies every aspect of a real warrior princess. The third book in Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Amulet's Rapture by Linnea Tanner is the story of the survival and transformation of Catrin. The plot is packed with action, politics, corruption, ambition, prophecies, and ancient magic. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. With a gripping plot, mindblowing storytelling, and unpredictable twists, Amulet's Rapture by Linnea Tanner is going to be among my top three favorites of this year.
Recommend this book:
Savage Skies
The Fourth Empire, Book 1
Kat Ross
2024 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Savage Skies by Kat Ross, the first book in the Fourth Empire series, will appeal to fantasy and adventure fans. The world is divided between light and darkness. The sun shines only on the west, while the east is lit by the three moons. The Boundary, where Castelio was born, has everlasting twilight. The Greater Gates lead to the Dominion, where the souls of the dead dwell. But one of the gates is damaged, allowing the dead to rise from their graves. Castelio is a quietus at the court of Ducissa Orlaith. He can cast the dead out. Delilah is the captain of the wind ship that cruises the skies with the help of a cat named Thistle, who can control the winds. Delilah, or Lo, desperately looks for her missing parents. Castelio and Orlaith's terrifying servant, Lucius, lure Lo into a trap and persuade her to bring her ship to Orlaith. But when Orlaith's son is kidnapped, Castelio, Lo, and Lucius join forces to find the boy, even if it means following his kidnappers to the obscure lands ruled by the Moon Courts.
Kat Ross's Savage Skies is an absorbing read thanks to the author's imaginative prose, one-of-a-kind mythology behind the elaborately developed world-building, and fascinating characters. Ross closely examines the topic of freedom and its price. Lo's flying ship is a perfect metaphor for freedom, especially the freedom of the spirit. Another meaningful theme is tolerance toward those who are different. Castelio has prejudices despite his kind nature, while the wise and smart Lo knows that no one and nothing is one-dimensional. I like that the main characters are not ideal. The author allows them to make mistakes and learn from them. Castelio is insightful, and it's his strongest feature, the one that makes him so interesting. Twenty-year-old Delilah is recklessly courageous and savvy beyond her age. The mysterious and whimsical Thistle steals our hearts immediately. This multigenre novel offers puzzling mysteries and unpredictable twists. I am hooked on this compelling series and cannot wait for Castelio and Delilah's further adventures.
Savage Skies by Kat Ross, the first book in the Fourth Empire series, will appeal to fantasy and adventure fans. The world is divided between light and darkness. The sun shines only on the west, while the east is lit by the three moons. The Boundary, where Castelio was born, has everlasting twilight. The Greater Gates lead to the Dominion, where the souls of the dead dwell. But one of the gates is damaged, allowing the dead to rise from their graves. Castelio is a quietus at the court of Ducissa Orlaith. He can cast the dead out. Delilah is the captain of the wind ship that cruises the skies with the help of a cat named Thistle, who can control the winds. Delilah, or Lo, desperately looks for her missing parents. Castelio and Orlaith's terrifying servant, Lucius, lure Lo into a trap and persuade her to bring her ship to Orlaith. But when Orlaith's son is kidnapped, Castelio, Lo, and Lucius join forces to find the boy, even if it means following his kidnappers to the obscure lands ruled by the Moon Courts.
Kat Ross's Savage Skies is an absorbing read thanks to the author's imaginative prose, one-of-a-kind mythology behind the elaborately developed world-building, and fascinating characters. Ross closely examines the topic of freedom and its price. Lo's flying ship is a perfect metaphor for freedom, especially the freedom of the spirit. Another meaningful theme is tolerance toward those who are different. Castelio has prejudices despite his kind nature, while the wise and smart Lo knows that no one and nothing is one-dimensional. I like that the main characters are not ideal. The author allows them to make mistakes and learn from them. Castelio is insightful, and it's his strongest feature, the one that makes him so interesting. Twenty-year-old Delilah is recklessly courageous and savvy beyond her age. The mysterious and whimsical Thistle steals our hearts immediately. This multigenre novel offers puzzling mysteries and unpredictable twists. I am hooked on this compelling series and cannot wait for Castelio and Delilah's further adventures.
Recommend this book:
The Witch Club
A Scottish Witches Mystery (Scottish Witches Mysteries)
Felicity Green
2024 Silver Medal
256 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Priya Mathew for Readers' Favorite
Tarbet, a serene village nestled in Scotland’s Highlands, is the setting for The Witch Club, the first book in the Scottish Mysteries series by Felicity Green. Dessie McKendrick, a local B&B owner, has spent the last decade trying to find her husband, who went missing during their honeymoon. Disappointed with the efforts of the local law enforcement, Dessie tirelessly searches for answers. When another young hiker disappears under similar circumstances, Dessie is convinced that the new case is connected to the one from the past. Her efforts to get answers lead her to a local women’s club that has a secret. Despite the risks, Dessie is determined to uncover the truth and find answers to the questions that have plagued her for the last ten years. Will she be able to get to the bottom of things, or will she be the next victim?
The Witch Club by Felicity Green is an engaging mystery that hooked me from the very first chapter, with a plot combining mystery and supernatural elements. The first two chapters focus on Dessie's personal loss and ongoing investigation. This personal search coincides with a new disappearance, adding to the central mystery. Green’s descriptive and atmospheric writing style made me feel like I was in Tarbet, feeling a sense of dread and otherworldliness along with the characters. The narrative switches perspectives between chapters, providing a glimpse of the characters’ lives and interactions. With each chapter, the non-linear narrative effectively builds suspense by connecting past events with current ones. Dessie’s character is well-developed, with clear motivations and emotional depth. Green’s narrative had me invested in Dessie’s journey to solve this mystery. The other characters, including Andie, the other women in the local coven and the local Inspector Reid, add to the richness of the story. Although the narrative mainly focuses on grief and personal justice, it also touches upon secrets and the lengths people will go to protect them. The Witch Club is a good start to the series. I’ll be waiting to read what happens next.
Tarbet, a serene village nestled in Scotland’s Highlands, is the setting for The Witch Club, the first book in the Scottish Mysteries series by Felicity Green. Dessie McKendrick, a local B&B owner, has spent the last decade trying to find her husband, who went missing during their honeymoon. Disappointed with the efforts of the local law enforcement, Dessie tirelessly searches for answers. When another young hiker disappears under similar circumstances, Dessie is convinced that the new case is connected to the one from the past. Her efforts to get answers lead her to a local women’s club that has a secret. Despite the risks, Dessie is determined to uncover the truth and find answers to the questions that have plagued her for the last ten years. Will she be able to get to the bottom of things, or will she be the next victim?
The Witch Club by Felicity Green is an engaging mystery that hooked me from the very first chapter, with a plot combining mystery and supernatural elements. The first two chapters focus on Dessie's personal loss and ongoing investigation. This personal search coincides with a new disappearance, adding to the central mystery. Green’s descriptive and atmospheric writing style made me feel like I was in Tarbet, feeling a sense of dread and otherworldliness along with the characters. The narrative switches perspectives between chapters, providing a glimpse of the characters’ lives and interactions. With each chapter, the non-linear narrative effectively builds suspense by connecting past events with current ones. Dessie’s character is well-developed, with clear motivations and emotional depth. Green’s narrative had me invested in Dessie’s journey to solve this mystery. The other characters, including Andie, the other women in the local coven and the local Inspector Reid, add to the richness of the story. Although the narrative mainly focuses on grief and personal justice, it also touches upon secrets and the lengths people will go to protect them. The Witch Club is a good start to the series. I’ll be waiting to read what happens next.
Recommend this book:
Through Blood and Dragons
The Forged and The Fallen Book 1
R.M. Schultz
2024 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz is an enthralling foray into a world where mystique is as palpable as bloodshed, and where the very essence of power is harnessed through dragons. Readers are immersed in the heart of Cimeren, a realm divided by a mystical forest and the enigmatic Lake on Fire, where suspicion and strife fester on both sides of the divide. At the heart of this gripping tale is Cyran Orendain, a character who evolves from being a grief-stricken survivor to a reluctant hero. Cyran grapples with the loss of his brother and lord while navigating the treacherous position of a squire in the dragon guard, a role that demands much more than he ever anticipated. The plot unfurls with a sense of impending doom as tensions escalate and conflicts erupt among the warring kingdoms in the south.
The portrayal of Cyran's emotional turmoil is nothing short of masterful, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist. The skillful world-building immerses readers in this war-torn landscape, where political machinations and power struggles threaten to consume everything in their path. The vivid descriptions and intricate details paint a rich and evocative picture of Cimeren, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in this fantastical realm. The central premise of dragons as both weapons and engines of war adds a unique and captivating dimension to the story. The magical portrayal of these majestic creatures is awe-inspiring, and their role in the unfolding conflict is nothing short of mesmerizing. The fusion of magic, warfare, and the enigmatic bond between humans and dragons creates a narrative tapestry that is both intricate and enchanting. Readers are taken on a thrilling journey of self-discovery and transformation. Cyran's evolution from an untrained and unassuming squire to a vital defender of his homeland is a testament to the author's ability to craft compelling character arcs. His struggles and vulnerabilities make him a character worth rooting for, and his journey becomes a symbol of resilience in the face of insurmountable odds. In Through Blood and Dragons, R.M. Schultz has created a spellbinding epic that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, warfare, and heroism.
Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz is an enthralling foray into a world where mystique is as palpable as bloodshed, and where the very essence of power is harnessed through dragons. Readers are immersed in the heart of Cimeren, a realm divided by a mystical forest and the enigmatic Lake on Fire, where suspicion and strife fester on both sides of the divide. At the heart of this gripping tale is Cyran Orendain, a character who evolves from being a grief-stricken survivor to a reluctant hero. Cyran grapples with the loss of his brother and lord while navigating the treacherous position of a squire in the dragon guard, a role that demands much more than he ever anticipated. The plot unfurls with a sense of impending doom as tensions escalate and conflicts erupt among the warring kingdoms in the south.
The portrayal of Cyran's emotional turmoil is nothing short of masterful, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist. The skillful world-building immerses readers in this war-torn landscape, where political machinations and power struggles threaten to consume everything in their path. The vivid descriptions and intricate details paint a rich and evocative picture of Cimeren, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in this fantastical realm. The central premise of dragons as both weapons and engines of war adds a unique and captivating dimension to the story. The magical portrayal of these majestic creatures is awe-inspiring, and their role in the unfolding conflict is nothing short of mesmerizing. The fusion of magic, warfare, and the enigmatic bond between humans and dragons creates a narrative tapestry that is both intricate and enchanting. Readers are taken on a thrilling journey of self-discovery and transformation. Cyran's evolution from an untrained and unassuming squire to a vital defender of his homeland is a testament to the author's ability to craft compelling character arcs. His struggles and vulnerabilities make him a character worth rooting for, and his journey becomes a symbol of resilience in the face of insurmountable odds. In Through Blood and Dragons, R.M. Schultz has created a spellbinding epic that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, warfare, and heroism.
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