Showing posts with label Magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magic. Show all posts

Cover Reveal: The Crown's Dog by Elise Kova



We are so stoked about this cover reveal for The Crown's Dog!




The Crown's Dog (Golden Guard, #1)
Author: Elise Kova
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
Publisher: Silver Wing Press

A coastal summer is turned upside down by a violent murder, and a quest for lost pirate treasure turns into a hunt for the killer.

Jax Wendyll is the crown's dog. As punishment for the unspeakable crimes that tourment him to this day, his life has been conscripted to the Empire Solaris. However, in an Empire afflicted by peace, his duties are relegated to unquestioningly aiding the antics of the youngest prince, Baldair.

Erion Le'Dan, a nobleman's son, expects a quiet summer visit to the Imperial Palace, his only agenda to visit with his unlikely friends. But Jax's discovery the legendary pirate Adela Lagmir’s old workroom inspires a hunt for her long lost treasure.

The pursuit of Adela's truth takes the three men to the Imperial summer manor, built along the old pirate mainstays. When Adela’s trident is branded into a murdered servant, Prince Baldair’s summer amusement of treasure-hunting becomes a hunt to find the killer. But, as mysteries compound, the ghosts of Jax's past may not be the only things haunting them.


Cover Art by Merilliza Chan




Elise Kova has always had a profound love of fantastical worlds. Somehow, she managed to focus on the real world long enough to graduate with a Master's in Business Administration before crawling back under her favorite writing blanket to conceptualize her next magic system. She currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when she is not writing can be found playing video games, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She is the author of the USA Today Bestselling Air Awakens Series as well as the upcoming Loom Saga (Keymaster, 2017).



Book Review: Hatter Madigan by Frank Beddor



Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X.
Hatter Madigan #1
Author: Frank Beddor
and Adrienne Kress
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Mystery & Detective Fantasy
Released: April 19, 2016
Review Source: Automatic Publishing

An exciting new adventure featuring a teenaged Hatter Madigan, one of the most popular character from the New York Times best-selling The Looking Glass Wars trilogy by Frank Beddor!

Combat training! Secret society initiations! Self-serving rivals! Welcome to Wonderland’s prestigious Millinery Academy: where those born to protect the queendom train to become spies, assassins, and bodyguards. With all that to contend with, not to mention following in his popular older brother’s footsteps, just getting through Imagination Class seems impossible already.

And that’s before he starts seeing ghosts lurking in the corridors…

When students begin behaving strangely throughout the academy, Hatter and his fellow cadets must unlock the mysteries behind the ghosts, and the headmaster’s suspicious behavior, before the entire student body finds itself possessed!

Join Hatter and his fellow cadets on their first adventures in Wonderland. Let’s just hope it isn’t their last!

Entitlement runs rampant in the young blooded cadets of Wonderlandia. Everyone strives for being the best, to bring honor to their families and to secure a position as a Brim. Bullying is rampant too, students with different skills or who operate outside of the box thinking get picked on or worst, expelled. What will Hatter do when everyone around him becomes zombies? Not the flesh eating type, but the possessed type. Something is happening to his fellow students, someones plotting against the crown by trying to build an army... but how are they doing it? How does he stop it? Can he even stop it?

I wasn't so big on The Looking Glass Wars, but I did enjoy Hatter in that book. With Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X., it's all about Hatter Madigan and I loved it. It's the backstory one always craves for, such a well written character, it fleshes him out and we get to follow him through the Academy as a Cadet and to him becoming a Brim. Will he become a Spade, as he dreams, or a Heart like his brother? Read the book!

I am definitely interested in the next book, and eagerly look forward to it.

Blog Tour: Rise by Jennifer Anne Davis + Giveaway



Welcome to our stop on Rise tour for Jennifer Anne Davis! This tour is hosted by Chapter by Chapter Blog Tour!

Rise
The Order of the Krigers #1
Author: Jennifer Anne Davis
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: May 17th 2016
Review Source: Month9Books

 
The people of Nelebek live in fear of persecution from the evil Morlet, who reigns with a dark and destructive magic. The kingdom’s only hope lies with the Order of the Krigers—twelve warriors with mysterious powers linked to magical weapons.

For over a century, Morlet has been annihilating the Order, picking them off one by one. Eleven Krigers have been hunted down, tortured, and imprisoned in his dungeon. Now, only one remains.

Sixteen-year-old Kaia survives by keeping her head down and minding her own business. But when she finds herself in the middle of a public execution where the mysterious Morlet is in attendance, an odd compulsion she can’t resist comes over her.

Kaia looks into Morlet’s eyes.

Soon, an ancient power awakens and Kaia can no more blend into the scenery. Will she heed the call of the Krigers or will Morlet’s dark magic destroy the last of the Order?

I'm having trouble putting into words just how much I liked reading about Kaia and her ordeal with the Order of the Krigers. Mostly because I stayed up will about 4 am this morning to finish reading the story, it pulled me in so deep I didn't need sleep. I do wish I had a physical copy, but that can easily be remedied by pre ordering it online with Amazon, the book does come out May 17th (happy dance).

The kingdom has been circling in turmoil for the last century, dark magic rotting and destroying the kingdom. The King, Morlet doesn't seem concerned for his people, he only searches for the Krigers, said to be his undoing. However, killing one doesn't make the problem go away. Now he simply captures them and tortures them, while beating his subjects to find all twelve of the Order of the Krigers poor Kaia get's mixed up in all this. At 16 she only knows her dear Papa, and her job washing clothes, surely nothing is special about her. That doesn't stop Morlet from trying to get his hands on Kaia, the cloaked King tries to manipulate her to coming to him, in her dreams.

Vidar and Anders try to hide her, move her and train her to defend herself. I have to say I did really enjoy watching the character growth, and their relationships blossomed quite naturally. The question for Kaia is, who are these two men and can they be trusted anymore than Morlet?

I don't want to spoil this for anyone interested n picking up a copy, but there were more than a few moments I was laughing at some of the situations Kaia found herself in. The story unfolded organically, and it was so much fun reading along. A few times I could predict where these moments were going but it in no way took away from the fantastic story that is Kaia as a Kriger. I really do look forward to picking up book two, I need to see where this goes!



Jennifer Anne Davis is the award-winning author of the bestselling TRUE REIGN series. After graduating from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential, she married her high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three highly energetic children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.



Giveaway:  Contest ends June 3, 2016 

Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Rise by Jennifer Anne Davis (INT)
One (1) winner will receive a scrabble tile book cover charm (US ONLY)

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Book Review: The Secret Fire by C.J Daugherty



The Secret Fire
The Alchemist Chronicles #1
Author: C.J Daugherty
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy | Magic
Released: September 10th  2015
Review Source: Bookouture | Netgalley

French teen Sacha Winters can't die. He can throw himself off a roof, be stabbed, even shot, and he will always survive. Until the day when history and ancient enmities dictate that he must die. Worse still, his death will trigger something awful. Something deadly. And that day is closing in.

Taylor Montclair is a normal English girl, hanging out with her friends and studying for exams, until she starts shorting out the lights with her brain. She’s also the only person on earth who can save Sacha.

There’s only one problem: the two of them have never met. They live hundreds of miles apart and powerful forces will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

They have eight weeks to find each other.

Will they survive long enough to save the world?


"Matthieu L'hiver: I curse you. I curse your family. I call upon Azazel and Lucifer, I call upon Moloch and Beelzebub, I call upon all demons in hell to hear my plea. Your sons, and the sons of your sons I curse. Thirteen times may your first-born sons be taken from you before they are men. Thirteen times, may their blood feed the demons and bring out all you have tried to destroy."

The story of The Secret Fire explores two very different characters, Sacha and Taylor. Sacha is a cursed French teen who can't die, and Taylor is an uptight English student who's grades mean everything to her. Two very different people but their lives are connected in more than one way. Uncoincidentally, their paths cross over and both teens begin to realise there's more to life than their parents had made them believe.

A curse was placed on Sacha's family, meaning on Sacha's 18th birthday he will die, not a second before, just as many generations before him have. The weeks pass and around the time Sacha meets Taylor, he only has 7 weeks left to live before his 18th birthday. However, Taylor isn't normal either. Powerful magic flows in her veins.

For Sacha and Taylor, it's a journey of discovery and determination. The pair refuse to accept Sacha's daunting fate which is crawling closer with each day that goes by, and not only do the unconventional pair want to break the curse, but the need to stop the bad guys who's job it is to keep the pair apart. There's a lot of people who want Sacha and Taylor kept away from each other, and towards the end of the book, I figured out why.

This book was interesting from start to finish, but it wasn't until the very end that I craved the next instalment. The majority of outstanding questions had been answered, but the questions of "what's next?" hung heavy in my mind. The Secret Fire built up the world so that us readers knew that war was coming, tempting us with what was to come, then ended right when I needed more. It's safe to say that this book was a fantastic read and I'm in a book slump trying to find another book to sedate the craving.

If you like mystery, magic and the start of a romance then this is the book for you. It was cute, exciting and tragic all at the same time and I cannot wait for book 2!

Book Review: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen


The Queen of the Tearling
The Queen of the Tearling #1
Author: Erika Johansen
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Fantasy | Magic
Released: July 8th 2014
Review Source: HarperCollins

On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.

But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend…if she can survive.

The Queen of the Tearling introduces readers to a world as fully imagined and terrifying as that of The Hunger Games, with characters as vivid and intriguing as those of The Game of Thrones, and a wholly original heroine. Combining thrilling action and twisting plot turns, it is a magnificent debut from the talented Erika Johansen.


I love Emma Watson. I do. When I read she is set to star in The Queen of the Tearling I jumped on board. It was a satisfying read. A book filled with magic and adventure. A great debut and perfect for the big screen. I can definitely see Emma as Queen Kelsea!

The Queen of the Tearling is about a young princess who has been hidden all her life for her own protection. As her ninetieth birthday approach and the fact that her mother, the queen is dead, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn is set on a journey to return to the land that she is to reign. Ready or not, Princess Kelsea will soon be queen and will learn that ruling takes dedication and willingness to fight and die for a nation.

The Queen of the Tearling took me a while to read. Not because it wasn’t good, but at times I asked myself many questions. I was confused at times and I had to re-read previous chapters. During her journey, Princess Kelsea confronted many controversies and faced danger. I learned to respect her and even though she thought she was not ready to be queen, Princess Kelsea was well raised by her foster parents. She was ready to rule her nation.

The story reminded me so much of one of my favorite series, Fire and Thorn. It was enjoyable reading a book similar. I understand why Emma would sign up for such role and honestly, I cannot wait for the movie. A must read novel of magic, adventure but also a book of destiny and survival. I recommend this book to all fantasy lovers along with Alice of Wonderland and Fire and Thorn fans.

{Dual} Book Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead + Frostbite News & Giveaway


Silver Shadows
Bloodlines #5
Author: Richelle Mead
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal | Vampires | Magic
Released: July 29th 2014
Review Source: Purchased

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.


AT FIRST SIGHT:
• The covers for this series don’t too much for me to be completely honest, but with that being said it looked sad. With Adrian in the backdrop kind of looking afar, it helped me realize I’ll definitely need to prepare for this one. You never know what Richelle Mead will throw at you.


STORYLINE:
• So we pick up after The Fiery Heart, Sydney was captured by the Alchemist to be sent to a re-education sent because she became too cozy with the vampires. Silver Shadows is a true test to Adrian and Sydney’s relationship, if they can withstand anything, but also a test to their strength, can they overcome the demons that are heading them straight on.

HERO/HEROINE:
• We truly have an amazing amount of heroes and heroines in this book, everyone is out there to help another, it’s truly amazing what the characters do and overcome with a little help from each other. But our main hero and heroine are Sydney and Adrian. Sydney truly tried anything and everything while in the re-education center to help everyone. Then you have Adrian who is fighting the dark side of Spirit while trying to break out Sydney and all the other Alchemists that are holed up and tortured in the re-education center.

FAVORITE SUPPORTING CHARACTER:
• For Silver Shadows I definitely loved Marcus. He was always there to help Adrian and was always getting any updates or clues as to where Sydney may be held. Sydney and Adrian would’ve been nowhere without Marcus’ involvement.

SOMETHING WE LOVED:
• Is this really a question? Uhh Adrian, I will always love Adrian. He may have been a little rocky in the beginning but he truly let his love for Sydney pull him out of his ugly storm and get to her no matter what. Sydney’s compassion to do what’s right and help whomever in need is truly extraordinary and has become so much bigger since we were first introduced to her. We really see her grow with every book.

SOMETHING WE HATED:
• I really loved this book and didn’t have much to complain about, if anything. I definitely hated seeing Adrian hurt so badly, but he quit at a point in the beginning and that truly hurt and I definitely hated it.
AN EVENT WE NEVER SAW COMING:
• The friendships and alliances that Sydney made while in re-education.

CLIFFHANGER:
• Richelle Mead always has cliffhangers, and they always kill me. Always. Of course this one did as well and I am of course, freaking out over it.

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT:
• The Vampire Academy and The Bloodlines are both series I’ll always recommend to people. It’s one of my favorites and always will be, and people definitely need to be introduced to Adrian.

FAVORITE QUOTE:
• "I know what love is, Mom. I've had love that burns in every fiber of my being, that drives me to be a better person and empowers me through each moment of the day. If you’d ever had something like that, you’d hold on to it with every bit of strength you had." - Lord Adrian Ivashkov.





You know when you cannot stop thinking over a book because either you’re frustrated or overjoyed? Well after I was done reading Silver Shadows I was both. But most of all I was frustrated. Just the fact that I was frustrated I thought this was bad so I gave this book a four. But like I mentioned, I kept thinking about the story after, and well I come to turn that being frustrated is good. The book has served its purpose. I should know better. When it comes to Richelle, I should know she loves to mess with our heads and hearts. She can be cruel like that. Which is the main reason why I love her. She loves to throws lemons at us just to make some sweet lemonade at the end. 

While at a 30 Seconds to Mars/Linkin Park concert, when the This is War song was being performed, I pictured The Moroi fighting against The Alchemist! Seriously this book was haunting me. 

Silver Shadows picks up after The Fiery Heart, in which Sydney, a former believer of the Alchemist, but now in love with the heartthrobbing Adrian, a royal and bad boy gone good Moroi, is being captured and sent to re-education.  This is a place like rehab, only that you are being torture if you don’t agree with them. But even in the darkness, “The center will hold”. 

Part of my frustration was this book started slow. I felt like I was reading the first book of the series, Bloodlines. I had such a hard time getting through Bloodlines only because the transition between Rose and Sydney were completely different. Rose the kickass dhampir that doesn’t allow anyone to mess with her, to the very serious and loner Sydney. But yet again, Sydney has proven she is capable to kickass! This girl has completely grown to being such a freakingly amazing and power character. God, how I love her! She kicked ass plenty of time in this book that I have to say she surpassed Rose. 

And Adrian. Dear Lord Adrian. I was so mad! Pissed!!!! If you know me, I ADORE ADRIAN. But in Silver Shadows, I was pissed at him! Sydney, poor Sydney has been fighting to stay strong at this insane place… while he is parting! AH! I wanted to shake him and wanted to make him snap out of it. At the same time I understood him. This poor, brokenhearted guy, needed help and everyone turned their back on him. And this made me even more frustrated! I wanted to slap everyone in this book! GOD! I was pissed. Sydney was there for them when they most needed her and now that she needs them, no one but Adrian was willing to fight for her! 

Not to give more spoilers, which I already did, Silver Shadow turns from slow paced to fast pace to WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON PACED to OMG, ADRIAN I FREAKING LOVE YOU paced. Yeah, this book was crazy! Crazy good. 

If you haven’t read the Bloodlines series, I will go ahead and smack you in the head. LOL just kidding. This is a must read series and I highly recommend that you start soon. 




A week ago, we learned the filmmakers behind the first film planned to start a crowd funding campaign in order to fund the sequel, ‘Frostbite.’ The potential for a sequel isn’t the only incentive to contribute to the campaign.  Contributors will get exclusive updates from the set, St. Vladimir’s apparel, walk-on roles, and much more.

If fans meet the $1.5 million goal, pre-production will begin late this year with the hopes of a late 2015 release date. The campaign launched August 6 and will close on September 05, 2014.

Please help us, the #VAFamily with this campaign. Share the news, follow their accounts, and if you can, donate. Adrian, my dear sweet loving and caring and amazing character is introduced in this book. Trust me you will fall head over heels in love with Adrian!


HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

BECOME A FROSTBITE DONOR

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