The first instalment to Casey Odell’s Cursed Magic Series is similar to the typical young adult fantasy novels by Kristen Cashore, Maria V. Snyder and Cassandra Rose Clarke’s debut novel The Assassins Curse. Maybe not as refined but there is definitely something intriguing and alluring for fans of the young adults fantasy genre and is an enjoyable start to the series.

Cursed follows Claire Tanith forced from her small and secluded life, her village having been attacked by centaurs she never knew existed, and is sent by her mother into the forbidden forest with the puzzling words: ‘they will protect you’. Entering into the unknown Claire finds out that she shares a world with elves and magic. But magic has ceased to exist for over a hundred years due to the battle between humans and elves and when a miraculous mark suddenly appears on Claire’s arm, a curse for her but a beckon of hope for the elves, Claire is rushed on a mission with two elves: a mischievous Aeron and a brooding Farron (and of course as the majority of young adult fantasy romances goes I think we can all figure out where the love story lies between).

Odell’s brings us instantly into a quick and fast paced opening sequence with the attack upon Claire’s small home, which was well written, replicated the suddenness of the moment perfectly. Unfortunately this quickness followed into the story and for someone like me who reads a lot of YA fantasy, often the kind aimed at female readers, the build up of the plot fell somewhat flat and frustratingly the story bombarded throughout the novel recklessly making the understanding of the plot quite confusing. It needed a moment of clarity to better explain the history of the elves and what had happened for magic to disappear. 

However despite this the characters managed to keep the plot moving, the interactions between them funny and entertaining. And I love a good romance and am a sucker for characters trying to test the boundaries of each other, teasing and all. The interaction between Claire and Farron kept me turning the pages, and there are definitely a lot of moments between them which are always interesting. Farron is the typical mysterious and menacing character who appears annoyed at having to babysit the sheltered and curious Claire whose eager to learn, question and can stand up for herself, which is always commendable. However, her naivety of both the world and love for the General who ends up joining them on their mission I found rather annoying and I believe this was my main problem with this novel, for this relationship felt unbelievable and awkwardly foolish which (spoiler (?)!) was and it was easy to know, frustratingly, what was coming.

Yet despite this ‘curse’ of falling into the clichés of YA fantasy/romances novels (excuse the pun I couldn’t resist), Cursed is an enjoyable fix for fantasy and young adult fans who love a typical plot of young women who isn’t to do what she has to do and those small but intimate moments that always make the fantasy romance oh so sweet.  

Finally! A Kindle Cover in a style of a Book! I have been looking everyone to get one of these in the UK. I found a fabulous site that was in the USA, but finally someone in the UK took this on too. Thankyou KleverCase! They have a lot of amazing designs. I was very tempted to get the Einstein’s: Theory of Relativity just so that if someone asked what I was reading I’d be like: a fantasy novel about vampire, just for a laugh. I chose Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice for my design. I was considering waiting to see if they would do Persuasion, it is my favorite out of Austen’s work, but I couldn’t be asked to wait! I wanted it now. The ‘My Kindle’ cover is a very sweet and cute idea as well, but I’ve always judged a book by its cover so I wanted to wicked design one.  

So to all my UK fellows: treat yourself!

https://www.klevercase.co.uk/index.php

A fan of the Morganville Vampires series, I did, I must confess, begin to get bored with the series, the same thing happening. What I enjoyed most about the series was the linking stories or the plot that would carry on for 2-3 books but be interesting enough to keep me going. Such as the story about Bishop, which got all very intense and came to a dramatic and brilliant end…or will it, I don’t know, Rachel Caine is skilled at bringing people back and creating more chaos for the residents of Morganville. And Caine has came back with another twisted plot that makes the vampires want to run.

I was scared. To be fair, the setting I was in when reading it wasn’t probably the best. 3am, in a house on my own, the door upstairs suddenly slamming shut from a breeze because I left the window open wasn’t doing any good at not making me spooked. So, when reading about a creeping and mysterious person called Magnus, some creature that isn’t human, not entirely a vampire and vampires are suddenly missing. This is a creature that makes the vampires run for their lives and probably wasn’t the best idea at 3am to be reading.

But even so, I was amazed, astounded and absorbed again by the storytelling of Rachel Caine; of Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael as they once again try to save the town, but now the task seems even bigger and terrifying as ever now, and with Amelie, the vampire Founder of Morganville, not doing anything but planning an escape for the vampires, I was left gripping the pages. I can’t wait to read the next book, with the story carrying on into the sequel. What will happen, I haven’t a clue, but its going to be epic. I can feel it. There is so much going on and everything is just getting started. This has to be the darkest book of the series. 

I would also liked to applaud Rachel for writing some pages in the perspective of other characters, instead of it all being Claire’s. It was really interesting and you could sense and knew which character was speaking. Except for Eve, I got a tad bored during her bit, but overall a really good start and attempt. Love it.

Welcome Douglas Hulick. He’s new to the town of fantasy writing. But with a skilled hand of creativity and imagination Hulick sweeps through; he has been heard.

Amongst Thieves, Hulick’s debut novel, is a story containing sword and sorcery novel, with all the fierce fighting, all the trust and betrayal and with all the excitement and energy. Drothe, a member of the Kin and a skilled man part of an organisation of thieves and murderers, comes in possession of a book; a book that for some reason everyone wants, a book that people have attempted to kill him for. Drothe stumbles upon a big mystery, one that has all the drama and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages.

Hulick is definitely someone equal to the works of Joe Abercrombie, who novels are one of a kind and out of this world; not as powerful and graphic as Abercrombie’s work are, but slightly subtle which makes it as interesting. Hulick’s novel appears almost real, something like a relic, something historical. Hulick stumbled upon a historical criminal jargon book which influences his novel, and this is definitely apparent through the book, which makes it feel so real. And that is a quality which makes Amongst Thieves interesting. All the emotions and the actions are powerful in this subtle way. Hulick brings a freshness, a new mystery that you must read.

The next instalment to Kristin Cashore’s realm of Gracelings and monsters, Bitterblue is now grown up, is the Queen of Monsea and is left with the sad and terrible truth of her legacy; a land silently suffering in pain of the past, of what her father, King Leck’s, Graceling powers did to everyone; demand obedience by controlling their mind with lies. Now, Bitterblue must bring this kingdom out of its heart and head ache, but with so many gaps, lies and people trying to forget and move forward, maybe the past could hold all the answer left in the fog that still lingers. 

Bitterblue is as fragile by the truth as her advisers. After having had her mind fogged by her father and having watched him kill her mother before her eyes she is as confused about her father’s doing…what did he do that causes her advisers to desperately forget everything, who often shrink within themselves to escape her questions and Leck’s torments. With so many gaps in the lack of knowledge of it all Bitterblue makes it her task to be a truthseeker, to understand. But diving into the truth is proving more tricky and harder as someone is frantically trying to stop her from doing so, and it may just be closer to home than she expected.

Cashore brings a most amazing and emotional read. The story is tragic, the emotions raw and desperate, and the sadness evoked is startling and deep, but beautiful at the same time. I couldn’t take my eyes away from the pages, so heartbreaking and eerie. The terrible deeds of King Leck linger raw in the bones of everyone, and the chance for hope and happiness is a long long road, but one that Cashore divulges in a head held  high. 

Loved it. A brilliant end? to the world of the with Gracelling, Monsters and all types of people and walk of life. 

Exciting and exhilarating, Philippa Ballantine presents a powerful and vivid story, both dark and beautiful in her novel Geist (A Book of the Order). Deacon Sorcha Faris, with the fiery and powerful power of Active, is teamed up into a new Bond with the tranquility and sight of the Sensitive, Deacon Merrick Chambers; part of the Order, protector of the Emperor and guardian against the spiritual beings called Geist of the Otherside. Together they are sent to the a village under violent and dark attacks of geists, along with the Pretender to the throne Raed Rossin, who carries a mighty curse within in; a beast of the Otherside. But, at this isolated village the trio soon discover that there is more dark dealings going on; something big is about to happen which could change everything they knew of their powers and destroy their world. 

Thrilling is its story, which bears all the excitement of adventure and passion. Magical and captivating are its character, who bear a lot of power and emotions that are intricately brought before the readers. And the plot is coiled and woven with mastery, that you won’t be able to tear your eyes from its pages. Geist is predatory. Once it has its claws upon you you become fixated. 

I can’t wait to see what its sequel has in story. Beautifully written, as well as being vivid in its imagery, Geist is a must read.

It has been an awfully long time since I’ve given a review. I’ve been back at University, So I haven’t had time to read books for fun. But I’ve sneakly been trying to do so around my revision, and this book made me want to plunge into my fantasy world of books again.

Poison Study is the first of this trilogy about Yelena, who becomes the Commander’s poison tasters instead of execution for being found straddled to the dead body of a General’s son. Her new life as the poison tasters brings so much more in opportunities, and we divulge into new beginnings, future and the dark hauntings past that continue to haunt Yelena. But, Yelena slowly begins to discover that she has magic, forbidden in Ixan under the rule of the Commander. As Yelena studies in being a poison taster with Valek, the Commander’s number one confidant and assassin, there is more troubling matters to unfold which could put the country of Ixan in danger both domestic and from their neighbours who use magic.

An exciting and passionate beginning to this trilogy. I’ve re-read it twice and love ever second of it. Yelena is so entertaining, and Valek is so smooth and expressive in his own way that reading these to characters is so beautiful. 

This is a must read for those who love a good fantasy, and a brilliant romance. But with all the excitement and thrills of a brilliant story of action. 

…HAPPY, because MASTIFF, by Tamora Pierce has arrived! As has LAST BREATH by Rachel Caine. The review will be awhile, since I am at Uni atm and also work so, I WILL TRY my hardest to read. I miss reading for fun.

I literally could cry. If Jacqueline Carey was ever to stop writing, I really don’t know what I would do. There wouldn’t be anything as amazing to interest me. Again, I will bow down to you Carey, love as thou wilt and kiss the ground you walk on, as you are my Queen. This devotion probably doesn’t sound healthy to you reading this, but if you have not ever read, starting from the beginning, the Kushiel’s Legacy by Jacqueline Carey, then you do not understand the joy and happiness and intense passion  bond to them. Therefore, I recommend that you do. 
Centuries after the lives of Phedre no Delaunay and Imriel de la Courcel we are introduced to Moirin of the Maghuin Dhonn, the bear-goddess, but she also has other strange gods claiming her as their own as well. She embarks on a journey, which is more important that the destiny which she is bond to. With her small gifts and the blessing of the goddess Naamah, the goddess of desire and pleasure, Moirin goes to places where powerful mages wield and a celestial being is trapped in the mortal flesh of a Ch’in princess. Moirin learns a lot of desire and destiny, but the gods are known to use their chosen hard and Moirin faces a lot of hardship on the way.
Jacqueline Carey once again spins a beautiful, compelling and powerful tale, plunging us into the depths of desire and pleasure in the forms of friendships, kindness and passion. I always have to commend Carey on her characters, as they are each the most interesting and the one thing that I believe drives all her tales. Her characters are seriously the most powerful in their kind, and in each there is something to admire and surely love. My heart aches. They are seriously powerful. It is not only this but also the imagery Carey provokes, are spectacular and beautiful. 
I really recommend these books, you could pick up and start with any trilogy, but it wouldn’t be right. I think it is much better to start from the beginning and because they all link together perfectly. 
Carey, please come to London and do a singing, I would surely cry before you, but I would love to pick your mind and have a lovely chat with you over a lovely cup of tea.