ARC Review: A Jot of Blood

Adolescence is hard enough, but add magic to the mix and things have a way of getting complicated in a hurry. Even at Coventry Academy, one of the best schools in the world for the magically inclined, some ‘gifts’ mean nothing but trouble. What do you do when anything—your clothes, your food, the accidental brush of a fingertip—can instantly reveal the dark secrets of your closest friend … or, worse, a mortal enemy?

Coventry may have been Lire Devon’s haven since she was a little girl, but there are some who despise and even fear her rare clairvoyant power. Now, after years of simmering resentment, Lire’s nemesis, a sorceress with beauty, status, and well-connected friends, has thrown down the gauntlet. The challenge will push Lire’s resourcefulness to its limits and beyond—to a place where arcane dangers lurk and the price of power is knowledge too excruciating to bear.

Warning: The contents of this book include one surly werewolf, a snarky invisible prankster, and enough indelicate language to make a succubus blush.

Review

This was very different than  I expected. I also enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. I really like Lire as a character, she was fun, grew well as a character. Cal and Zach were great too, I loved their introduction, it was fun and unique. I really enjoyed finding out about the different kinds of magic. I thought the way Lire learned more about her powers was well done and has got me wondering what else she can do.

The mystery was good, it kept twisting and turning, keeping me guessing. I want to know more though, I want to know more, I am very much looking forward to the next book. The conflict between Lire and the popular girl (cannot remember her name) was interesting, seemed like jealousy on the popular girls part.

Cal, was a great character, I can see him being a very popular book love interest. He is strong and fun and a great friend. And yes he sounds like a catch.

I will be reading the next book in the series. And raving about this book to anyone who will listen.

Want a book with magic, werewolves, vampires, fun, excitement and a lot of mystery, go on pick this up you won’t be disappointed.

4 out of 5 stars

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Review: Crystal Magic

Nothing is safe around Kristyl Barnette. Windows break. Books rocket across the room. Lights flicker. Strange occurrences follow the sixteen-year-old everywhere.

When tragedy forces her to move to the small town of Clearwater, Michigan, with her estranged aunt Jodi, Kristyl tries to leave her past behind. But Clearwater has secrets of its own—a mystical history that intersects with Kristyl’s life and might shed light on the inexplicable events that plague her.

When a mysterious illness threatens her aunt’s life, Kristyl will do anything to cure her. Enlisting the help of witches could save Jodi, but is dealing in magic worth the consequences?

I enjoyed this book. I liked the introduction of magic and how we got to know the characters as the main character did. I did sometimes feel that there was two separate stories going on. I did like that the town had magical history I just wish we got to read more of it.

I loved Owen, I really wanted him to be real and wished there was more of him. I didn’t like how there was no sight of him in the last few chapters, I do hope things work out well for him in the end.

If there was more magic and how it works it would have been better. I think for a story about magic there wasn’t enough.

I really enjoyed the setting, the town was great, I loved how all the characters knew each other. The close friends of Bria, Owen etc was good except I was a little confused at proposed pairings at times.

I was planning to review this 4 stars but the ending just didn’t gel well with me. After that I am not sure I will read the next one. Depends on how much it costs.

3 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: The Last of the Firedrakes

16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.

Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.

With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.

Out the 15th of August this year!!!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book from the start. I love discovering new worlds and different kinds of magic. This book had both of these in droves. I love the world and all the characters. Aurora grew with the story, but not quite quick enough for me, she kept making silly decisions that put herself and the others at risk. I know she is only 16 but she was quite immature and not making the best decisions, going against the advice of everyone that cared about her time and time again.

I found this a nice easy read which had enough depth to keep me happy. I loved learning about the history of the country and Aurora’s family.

I felt that Aurora was a little too special, without giving too much away, every way in which she could be special, she was, no matter how rare or unheard of it, was met the brief in every way. Yes I know it makes it interesting, but it can just feel a little too much at times.

I found Damian reminded me of Draco Malfoy, which was good because he felt familiar to me from the start. He just got meaner and meaner throughout the book and unlike Draco, he was a little two faced at times.

Rafe was mysterious for most of the book and I did not guess who he was, the big reveal was a big surprise to me.

The rest of the book was a little predictable but not enough to put me off. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: The Last Priestess

The Last Priestess by Elizabeth Baxter.

There is a name that is uttered only in whispers. The Songmaker. A ruthless rebel mage, he is bringing civil war to the once-peaceful kingdom of Amaury, enveloping all in a tide of violence. For Maegwin, a tormented priestess, the path forward lies in forgiving her temple’s enemies—but she dreams only of revenge. For Rovann, a loyal mage haunted by his failures, salvation might be found in the unthinkable: defying the very king he swore to protect. If they are to succeed they must form an unlikely alliance. For someone must stand against the Songmaker. Someone must save Amaury from his dark designs. But first, they’ll have to learn to trust each other.

And so a magical fantasy of darkness and redemption begins. (Synopsis from Good reads).

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

General Overview (No Spoilers)

A nice book full of magic, war and even a little bit of love and loyalty. It reminded me of Maria V. Snyder’s stories, well written and exciting. I loved the characters, they had different sides and unwilling friendships were formed. The storyline is amazing. It kept me guessing all the way through. Maegwin was smart and strong, fights her own battles (literally), which I really admire about her. Leo was funny, a little eccentric, I would love to hear his songs, hoping they feature later in the series. I like how there was a hint of romance that might take a bigger role later in the story, but just now they are focusing on saving their country.

I bought the second book as soon as I had finished the first.

4 stars out of 5.

Step by Step Overview (Spoilers)

0%- Not a fan of the cover (the second picture showing), the redo is much nicer. But the story looks right up my alley. “And so a magical fantasy of darkness and redemption begins.” Sounds fantastic.

10% – Maegwin is sentenced to death for treachery and possibly treason. She stays fighting until the end, makes her seem likes  strong character.

” I would choose life and vengeance.” At this sentence I knew I was in for an action packed adventure.

So far so good. Really inviting story, two different sets of power, possibly wanting the same thing.

20% – This book is reminding me of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. A young girl gets a reprieve from a death sentence and has flashbacks of the murder that got her there in the first place. Rovann is turning out to be a mysterious fellow. What does he want with Maegwin? I like how Maegwin keeps her word to her goddess, she may have killed someone but breaking her word is worse.

30% – I think Rovann is the King’s Mage. And the plot thickens.

40% – The bad guys are planning to attack the Capitol when it is meant to be implementable, they must have something big up their sleeves. This is the second book I have read recently about Order and Chaos, I am really enjoying this concept. ( The first one was The Grove of the Sun).

50%- Is the one light meant to be Heaven? I like where this story is going.

60% – Where did Rovann disappear to? What happened to him? Is there going to be romance. The descriptions in this book are beautiful. It makes me wish it was a real place (minus the fighting).

70% – Is it all an illusion? Aww, poor Leo is he truly dead? Surely not.

80% – Traveling through the Eorthe sounds horrible but a crafty trick. I like that Maegwin doesn’t have all the answers and is starting to care for the troops.

90% – Yay, Leo may still be alive. I really like him as a character.

100% – She fled? I think she will be back. Nice ending, leaving lots of options for the next book in the series, which I have already bought.

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Spell Bound – Hex Hall 3

Spell Bound the third in the Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Okay it’s been a while since I read this book. I remember how much I liked it and how quickly I read it. I do wish we found out what Cal saw, I can guess but I prefer to know. I also prefer to Archer, so was not a great fan of the ending although she does wrap it up nicely and it does seem like everything as it should be.

It would be interesting to see what happens to Sophie in a few years time, hopefully the author will write another book set then, but prob not.

Also on a different note, I changed my blog address from dottleddolly.wordpress.com to what is now because I thought it should have something to do with books. I thought it would redirect but it does not seem too. Sorry if there has been any confusion.

Until next time, happy reading bookworms.

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Raising Demons- Hex Hall 2

Raising Demons (or Demonglass for the USA) is the second installment in the Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins. If you have not read the first book please beware the synopsis may reveal some spoilers. Once again I am being lazy and just using the description from good reads, sorry;

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They’re demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Okay once again. I love this book. I like an author who uses myths, legends, ancient gods or goddesses in their books. Or any type of research, I think it shows dedication and somehow bonds the reader more to the book. In this series the book is named after an ancient Greek goddess Hecate or Hekate, she is often associated with witchcraft and necromancy, which fits in really well here. Hecate is also known as the mother of angels, which is mentioned in the books.  I am sure there is more similarities between what is written in the books and what is known about Hecate but I thought a little research on my part would suffice.

The story was exciting and unpredictable, I have looked at quite a few reviews for this book and most people have the same issue that I have – The love triangle. It just does not work for me and  is not needed. I do not really like Archer but if he was the only love interest I would not question him and Sophie, but when Cal is introduced as a part of the triangle, he seems the better match and the better man in general. It’s not often I feel that a character is with the wrong person but in this case I feel strongly about it.

Strong female characters- The Brannicks, you meet one at the very end (more in the next book) oh my I like these characters.

The headmistress of Hecate (Hex) Hall, has been a naughty lady indeed. All speculations at this point, but that’s one thing i truly adore about this series, no-one is as they seem.

Happy reading Bookworms

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Hex Hall

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins is book one in the young adult Hex Hall series. In it Sophie Mercer has only known she is a witch for 3 years. Her non-magical mother could not tell her about the magical world and she got into a scrapes along the way. When a spell goes wrong and threatens to expose witches, Sophie is sent to Hecate Hall, an isolated school for wayward witches, fairies and shape-shifters.

Her new room-mate is the only vampire on campus and she instantly has a crush on the hottest warlock on school whose girlfriend is one three most powerful witches in the school. And last but not least a ghost that keeps popping up. As students are attacked and her best friend is blamed she must work out what is going on.

Ok, so ye, it is young adult but it is not all whiny like a lot of the books that are aimed at teenagers these days. I do not often laugh at books, (well I don’t laugh where I’m meant to) I found myself giggling away at the witty desricptions and dialogue. Some of my favourite parts are:

-When a werewolf runs at her shouts “bad dog” (this made me smile).

– “But this room looked like it had been decorated by the unholy lovechild of Barbie and Strawberry Shortcake.”

Most of the story is fairly predicatable but in a good way. I did not see the end coming in a million years. People I did not even consider to be bad guys turned out to be the worst imaginable. And one person I had pegged down for sure to be on the bad team was a goodie through and through.

I know alot of people avoid young adult books mainly because of Twilight and all the complaining Bella does and the annoying love triangle. Okay yes there is a love triangle here but for once the main character is one on the outside and not the girl that all guys swoon over even though she is described as plain. The only bit that bugged me was that they kids at the school seemed to get away with murder (in some cases literally). They could hex each other and not get into trouble. I did like how the book seemed to have paralells to real life issues such as cliques in school, bullying and racism (maybe I am looking to deep). I like books that are light but have serious undertones.

Okay the hot guys – Archer and Cal, even though Archer is mentioned much more and is Sophie’s crush I never really found myself liking him. Cal on the other hand seem genuinely like a good guy and a great guy to have around in case of emergency.

The cover art itself is clever it has sophie standing over a pool, there is a reflection in it, which if you read the book closely enough you will realise is Alice.

Ok enough babbling by me for today. I am off to read the second book in the series. Once again I have put in a link to another blog on this book. I enjoyed reading it as much as I did the book.

Until next time bookworms.

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The Fire Chronicle

The fire chronicle is the second book in the books of the beginning series. The first book is The Emerald Atlas – One winter night three children were taken from their beds and, a dark silhuoette of a man has haunted the eldest sibling, Kate, ever since. Ten years on, the children have grown up in orphanage after orphanage. They arrive at Cambridge Falls, they feel this place is different and somehow they feel like they have been there before.  Whilst exploring their new home they discover an old leatherbound book, the moment they touch it an ancient prophecy is set in motion. Only they can save Cambridge falls and the world from devestation and in doing so will face terrifying creatures and unimaginable challenges.

The Fire Chronicle- Kate the eldest was last seen fighting a Screccher, Michael was needs to go to the ends of the earth to find the fire chronicle and Emma, the youngest wants nothing more than her family back together.

This series is aimed at younger readers, but like most of these book older readers will enjoy reading them just as much. I find these books clever, enchanting and original. Whenever I think it’s going to be predictalbe, the story spins around and something completely different happens, this I love. The writer has created back stories that spans thousands of years, but it is easy to follow. The series contains magic, elves, dwarves and at least one new creature of the authors imagination.

What I like most about the books is that every character/ race of being (apart from the screechers) have their good and bad points, even the evil characters have some good in them, no matter how little and I really enjoy seeing that side and how they came to be the way they are. The elves are the singing, dancing jolly elves but when put in danger they can hold their own. The dwarves are all about loyalty and honour but even they can be greedy. The second book deals alot with people and their past, for a children’s book I find this refreshing. I also enjoy the fact that the children do not act like typical teenagers, but they do not act beyond their years either.

I am thoroughly looking forward to the next book.

I have decided to put links to other peoples blogs that discuss the same books. I may not always agree with what they say but I firmly believe that you have to more than one person’s view to decide on wether or not you will give a book a go or not.

I hope to not leave as long a gap betweent posts in the future, so happy reading bookworms.

Emma

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Be it Magic?

Now it’s time to delve into the depths of books that can be classed as magic or not, it is entirely up to the opinion of the reader.

The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson (The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages). The Lord Ruler has reigned over Luthadel for 1000 years, the Skaa are enslaved. A different kind of uprising is in progress,a  Skaa street urchin – Vin, must learn Allomancy to be have any hope at all. Allomancy is a way of ingesting small amounts of metal and using it in varying ways to influence metal and people. Different metals have different properties. The first time I read this I was a bit unsure of people eating metal and then having “powers” but the more I read the more I felt a pull towards it. Since not everyone in the population can do this, it could be classed as a magical ability or a special genetic quirk. However you would like to categorize this book, I would definately recommend it.

The Healing Wars by Janice Hardy (The Pain Merchants, Blue Fire, Dark Fall). Sisters Nya and Tali can take pain from other people and into thier own bodies to heal others. Tali is apprenticed to the Healers’ League, Nya’s gift is slightly different and against the law. With her skill is in demand, she must hide and try to save her sister. As far as I am aware this book is fairly unknown, I want this to change. This series is clever, imaginative, very entertaining and heart wrenching. Nya is put in impossible situations and comes up with genius ways out. Okay, the number of times she ends up captured and manages to get out is a little unrealistic but I can let that slide.

Time for one more? Gracling by Kristin Cashore. People who are born with each eye a different colour, have a special skill called a Grace and are known as Graclings. Katsa’s Grace is killing. When the father of a King from another Kingdom is kidnapped Katsa uses her skills to work out what is going on. When all clues lead to another of the Kingdoms the situation gets dark and mysterious. The prquel is Fire and a very enjoyable story but I would have enjoyed it more if it was a stand alone book rather than prequel, trying to work out how they were linked annoyed me. The sequel to Graceling is Bitterblue, I have not found time to read it yet, but it looks promising.

Now that I have shown you the way of not-so obvious magic you can explore on your own and make up your own mind. That is all for now bookworms. I will find more interesting books and topics for next time. Thank you reading.

Emma

Magic!

For anyone who likes fantasy books, magic is a must. Of course the queen of magic if not all of fantasy is J.K. Rowling. She puts the reader under a spell that binds them until they are finished the book. It does not matter how many times you read the Harry Potter books fans will always be captivated on the every read. A good book is defined by how much you enjoy it, a great book is defined by how many times you can read it and still enjoy it as much as the first time round.

What is classed as magic? In my opinion anything is actually classified as magic or some books that people do things cannot be explained especially when it is more than one person. It can be hard to define because if a book had multiple that could move objects with their mind that is not really magic but if they said a word and had to tap into some engery within themselves then that could be classed as magic. Confused? I’ll leave it up to you to decide which books you class as magic or not.

Since J.K. Rowling holds the crown which other authors are biting at her heels hoping for some more recognition for thier hard work. Let’s start with some that are cleary defined as magic.

An enjoyable series that is aimed at the same age range as Harry Potter is The Black Magicain Trilogy by Trudi Canavan ( The Magicain’s Guild, The Novice, The High Lord). The series is set in the city of Imardin and during it’s yearly purge of the city, a young street girl manages to throw a stone through their magical sheild protecting the magicians. Since she untrained they have to find her before she causes harm to herself or others. Since the series is aimed at younger readers it is easy to understand and not too much violence (enough to understand what is going on but does not go into great detail). They are good enjoyable books that captivate your heart and you don’t want to end. There is also a spin-off series that is set about 20years after the final book and a prequel book that is set a few hundred years before, which is personally my favourite of the lot.

Now time for my favourite book of all time, I think I have read it about 10 times, believe me it’s good. The Study series (Yelana Zaltana novels) by Maria V Snyder (Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study). Yelana is about to be executed for murder when she gets a life changing choice, choose the noose or become a food taster for the Commander of Ixia. Having magic in Ixia is punishable by death and when Yelana discovers she can do magic she has a whole new set of problems to overcome. It has everything you could want in a book: magic- check, romance (not the mushy kind) – check, battle scenes – check, lovable characters – check. There is also another series (the Glass Series) that is in the same world as the Study series but had as different main character- one that appears later in the Study series.

Frost Arch (the Fire Mage trilogy) by Kate Bloomfield. In a world where mages rule and humans are enslved. Avalon has trouble controlling her fire magic, decides to leave her family and find a job in Frost Arch her life seems dismal, will she be able to overcome everything and save her friends and family? I have only read the first book so far and loved it. Romance has not occured yet but that is part of the charm it is about friendship and loyalty, I am rooting for a certain male charater to woo her. Just reminded myself I need to read the next book sometime soonish.

The not-so obvious magic books (and more magic books and much more) will have to wait for another night as sleep is calling. Have you read all the books yet in this post? What you waiting for? Get reading.

Until next time bookworms.

Emma