Friday, October 18, 2024

A Spellbinding Narrative

The Useless WitchThe Useless Witch by Savannah Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the quiet village, where sun-drenched streets hold secrets, I met Saoirse—a baker with no magic. Yes, you read that right—no magic. In a world where mystical abilities define worth, Saoirse is an anomaly. She’s comfortable in her ordinary life, far away from her abusive royal parents—the King and Queen of Lanthus. But fate has a twisted sense of humor. When Saoirse stumbles upon Vane, a Darkwing—a creature feared by all—her world tilts on its axis. Vane is on a hunt, seeking something that could unravel her family’s magic. And Saoirse, born under a solar eclipse, feels a kinship with darkness. She might vanish into Vane’s shadows forever if she's not careful.

What I Loved:
Character Depth: Saoirse’s resilience and vulnerability make her relatable. Her lack of magic becomes her strength.
Forbidden Connection: Vane, the enigmatic Darkwing, challenges Saoirse’s perceptions. Their interactions crackle with tension.
Magicless Heroine: Saoirse’s journey defies conventions. Can she find power beyond spells and incantations?
Darkwing Secrets: Vane’s motives remain shrouded. What drives him, and how does Saoirse fit into his quest?

The Useless Witch is a sunlit escape—a tale of courage, sacrifice, and love transcending magical boundaries. Step into Saoirse's world if you seek a blend of shadows and hope. Just beware—the echoes of Saoirse’s ordinary yet extraordinary life may linger in your dreams.

Savannah Lee weaves a spellbinding narrative. Her characters remind us that magic lies not only in spells but also in the resilience of the human spirit.

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Thursday, October 17, 2024

Romance in time travel

In Another TimeIn Another Time by Jessie Winterspring
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Another Time whisks readers away on a time-traveling adventure—a journey that defies the boundaries of past and present. Leonardo, an easy-going soul, accidentally breaks a bottle containing a wish, catapulting him back to 1956. Suddenly, he’s in a world where Abuela, his grandmother, is only nineteen—years younger than him! His mission: to find a way back to 2020 without altering his grandparents’ history. But fate has other plans. Befriending them becomes inevitable, and falling for Celestina, Abuela’s future best friend, is definitely not part of the plan.

Celestina, too, carries her own burdens. A product of rape, she yearns for her mother’s love. When Leonardo materializes out of a bottle, she wonders if magic can make her wishes come true.

What I Loved:
Time’s Veil: The interplay between eras is beautifully handled. Jessie Winterspring captures the essence of different decades, making the time-travel aspect both intriguing and poignant.
Character Dynamics: Leonardo and Celestina’s connection transcends time. Their friendship and budding romance are heartwarming.
Sun-Drenched Setting: Beniardà, the sun-kissed village in Francoist Spain, feels like a hidden gem. Its cobbled streets hold secrets, and its sunsets paint love stories.

In Another Time is a sunlit escape—a tale of courage, sacrifice, and love that transcends the ticking clock. If you seek a blend of magic and heart, step into Beniardà. Just beware—the echoes of time may linger in your dreams.

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Monday, October 14, 2024

To Defend A Bride (Entangled with the Enduar, #3)To Defend A Bride by Daniela A. Mera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the shadowed realm of the Enduar Mountain, where diamonds sparkle and treachery lurks, Melisa—a courtesan turned spy—finds herself entangled with a troll, Ra’Sa. He’s stoic, unattached, and immune to her seductive wiles. But when Melisa offers to return to the giant capital as a comfort woman to gather information for the trolls, Ra’Sa’s fury ignites. He insists on accompanying her, determined to watch over and defend her in a land of cruel men.

As secrets unravel, Melisa’s true nature emerges, leaving Ra’Sa breathless. Forbidden feelings stir within his stony heart. Yet, their relationship teeters on the edge of danger. Will duty and desire collide, or will they burn together like stars?

Their alliance defies norms, and the tension between duty and desire crackles. The Enduar Mountains come alive, and the clash of giants, trolls, and intrigue creates a rich backdrop. Ra’Sa and Melisa’s unlikely partnership keeps us guessing. Can they bridge their worlds?

To Defend A Bride weaves danger and desire into a spellbinding tale. Daniela A. Mera’s storytelling prowess shines, making this a must-read for fantasy romance enthusiasts.





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Sunday, October 13, 2024

River of Spirits (The Underwild #1)River of Spirits by Shana Targosz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the mystical space between the Living and the Dead, we meet Senka—a girl with one foot in each realm. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles into the Underworld, a place teeming with spirits, secrets, and ancient magic. As Senka navigates this perilous landscape, she discovers her unique abilities and unravels a mystery that spans generations.

Shana Targosz paints a vivid picture of both the Living and the Underworld. The boundary between them crackles with energy, and Senka’s journey becomes a bridge connecting two worlds. Senka’s courage and determination shine. Her friendships with both the living and the spectral are heartwarming.
From ghostly apparitions to forgotten legends, the book immerses readers in a rich tapestry of folklore.

Senka’s quest to find her place in both realms keeps us turning pages. What ancient secrets await her? This book is perfect for young readers who crave adventure, mystery, and a dash of the supernatural.

River of Spirits is a delightful book. Shana Targosz’s lyrical prose invites readers to explore hidden realms, where spirits whisper and hope glimmers. If you’re ready to cross the threshold, step into the Underworld—it’s a journey worth taking.

Shana Targosz’s ability to blend fantasy with relatable characters makes this book a gem for middle-grade readers.

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A Romantic Fantasy

Heir of Stardust and Secrets (Mythic Spark #1)Heir of Stardust and Secrets by CC Hartly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let’s enter the enchanting world of “Heir of Stardust & Secrets” by CC Hartly. As a reader, I found this novel to be a delightful blend of romance and fantasy—a tale that weaves magic, intrigue, and unexpected connections.

In the shadow of war, love becomes both a beacon and a battlefield. Nyleeria, our heroine, has always lived in the lingering grief of loss, her only solace found in her childhood friend. But when dormant magic awakens within her, her world shifts. Tragedy tears her family apart, and she’s thrust into a conflict that spans centuries—a war between humans and fae. Enter King Thaddeus, a ruler hardened by endless battles. When he discovers Nyleeria’s latent power, he sees it as a lifeline for his people. Yet, as their paths intertwine, danger looms not only from the fae but also from the feelings he stirs within her.

CC Hartly crafts characters with depth. Nyleeria’s struggle between duty and desire resonates, while King Thaddeus surprises with layers beyond his role as a ruler. Eldergrove—the mystical setting—comes alive. Ancient trees whisper secrets, and magic dances through every leaf. The chemistry between Nyleeria and the King crackles. Their forbidden attraction adds spice to the narrative.

CC Hartly emerges as a fresh voice in romantic fantasy. Her imaginative world, rich with lore, invites readers to leap into the unknown.







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Energy dependance Day

Energy Dependence DayEnergy Dependence Day by Christian F. Burton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Energy Dependence Day is both informative and gripping. It manages to be character-driven while altering your perception of the Middle East. Burton walks a tightrope, and he does it well. Dive in—it’s a thrilling ride with lasting impact.

Energy Dependence Day thrusts readers into a political thriller where the stakes are global. The U.S. faces a terrorist attack generated from Saudi Arabia, and the lives of many characters intersect in this high-stakes drama. From a determined detective to the enigmatic terrorist himself, the narrative dissects the anatomy of an attack, step by step.

Burton avoids the simplistic “good vs. evil” trope. Instead, he crafts a sympathetic portrayal of Middle Eastern characters, even those involved in sinister actions. This nuance adds depth and authenticity.

The motivations of the “enemy” aren’t one-dimensional. We don’t root for them, but we understand their multifaceted reasons. This complexity elevates the tension.

I must say, it was a wonderful read !!

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Saturday, September 28, 2024

BY THE PILLARS OF HERACLES

By the Pillars of Herakles (The Delphis Novels #2)By the Pillars of Herakles by Sue Davies
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In By the Pillars of Herakles, Sue Davies invites us aboard the ancient trading vessel The Delphis, setting sail to map uncharted waters beyond the feared waterway known as the Pillars of Herakles. The year is approximately 500 BCE, and our guide through this maritime adventure is Dubb—the ship’s navigator. But trouble brews as Dubb clashes with the ship’s captain, a man whose devotion to the gods borders on obsession.

The Main Characters:
Dubb: Our spirited navigator, skilled in the art of reading the stars and currents. His curiosity drives him beyond the familiar waters, even when it means challenging authority.
The Captain: A man of unwavering faith, his reverence for the gods shapes every decision. Yet, it also blinds him to the mysteries that lie beyond the Pillars.

The Delphis sails toward the unknown, driven by curiosity and the desire to chart new territories. The Pillars of Herakles symbolize both danger and opportunity—an invitation to unravel secrets.

Dubb’s clash with the captain mirrors the tension between tradition and curiosity. Can they find common ground, or will their differences tear the crew apart?

Sue Davies weaves her tale with the salt breeze in her words. The creaking of the ship’s timbers, the taste of brine on the wind—these sensory details immerse us in the seafaring world. Her prose dances between adventure and introspection, capturing the rhythm of life at sea.

While I enjoyed the historical backdrop and the vivid portrayal of life aboard The Delphis. Davies occasionally reveals impending events too directly, robbing us of the thrill of anticipation. Still, the novel’s historical accuracy and the exploration of ancient seafaring make it a worthwhile voyage.

Final Thoughts:
By the Pillars of Herakles is a voyage into the heart of curiosity—a reminder that sometimes, the greatest discoveries lie beyond the boundaries we dare to cross. Thanks to @lattebooktours for giving me a chance to read this book.
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