Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

On the Accidental Wings of Dragons Review

Happy Wednesday!

 I hope everyone has had an amazing week so far. Today I am going to be doing a review of On the Accidental Wings of Dragons by Julie Wetzel. This story is about a solider being accidentally turned into a dragon when he goes to save a dragon Princess. The adventure that they go on will leave you laughing, and rooting for them. You will be on the edge of your seat wondering what they will get into next, and how they will get out of their predicament.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "When Michael Duncan is sent to investigate the disappearance of several dragon subjects, he finds himself in a bind. Locked in a dungeon, his only hope lies wrapped in a bundle of cloth tossed at his feet. One kiss and his life is changed forever. Hunted by his own people for crimes he didn’t commit, Michael has to learn a whole new life at the hands of a beautiful woman. Can she help him clear his name, or will just being in her presence get him sentenced to death?

Carissa Markel doesn’t know who this man chained to the wall is, but he’s her only chance for escape. She has power, but, born without a voice, she lacks the means to wield it. One choice, made in desperation, sends them running for their lives. Does she have the strength to help him clear his name? And what will her brother, the King of Dragons, do if he finds out what she’s done? The real questions is… can she keep her hands off him long enough to find out?"

I don't want to give too much of the story away, because I think that the description gives you a pretty good idea about what the book is about. But Carissa is one strong Princess who can take care of herself, and doesn't need a man to protect her. I love that more authors are creating strong female characters that anyone can relate to. Plus, Michael doesn't try to control her, and accepts her for the way she is, which I love. No wonder people think I have unrealistic expectations in men, but hey there has to be a man out there that fits the mold of these fictional characters.

Happy flying the skies on wings my dears.

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Once Upon A Dream Review

Happy Monday!

 I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! I am excited about the reviews and other posts I have in store for this week. So let's get this amazing week started off with a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell, is an amazing remake of the tale of Sleeping Beauty that we all know and love, except it has a twist to it.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "What if the sleeping beauty never woke up? Once Upon a Dream marks the second book in a new YA line that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways.

It should be simple—a dragon defeated, a slumbering maiden, a prince poised to wake her. But when said prince falls asleep as soon as his lips meet the princess', it is clear that this fairy tale is far from over.

With a desperate fairy's last curse infiltrating her mind, Princess Aurora will have to navigate a dangerous and magical landscape deep in the depths of her dreams. Soon she stumbles upon Phillip, a charming prince eager to join her quest. But with Maleficent's agents following her every move, Aurora struggles to discover who her true allies are, and moreover, who she truly is. Time is running out. Will the sleeping beauty be able to wake herself up?"

In the original tale of Sleeping Beauty the Prince defeats the dragon, and rescues Aurora from her curse. But what if when the Prince went to awake Aurora he feel into a deep sleep curse of his own, and becomes trapped within the same dream as Aurora? Aurora is lead on a twisty adventure to find a way back to herself, while trying to figure out just who she is. When she meets Phillip along the journey she has to learn to trust him. Can she trust him to help get them both out of the nightmare or is he just another pawn of Maleficent's that will lead her on a wild goose chase?

This version of sleeping beauty had me enraptured from the very first word. It stays true to the story we all know and love, but the twist that Liz puts on the original story gives the reader a new found respect for Aurora. No longer does Aurora have to have a man to save her from her sleeping curse, but in this story the Princess gets to take her own story into her hands, which helps women see themselves as capable of saving themselves, without having to wait for a Prince's kiss.

Go find your own happily ever after readers!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Friday, January 18, 2019

The Frog Prince Review

Hey guys it's Friday!

 I figured that I would finish the week off with a retelling of a classic fairy tale. The Frog Prince by Jenni James is a wonderful retake of the classic Frog Prince that we have all came to know and love. This book gives the reader an interesting twist on how a prince turned himself into a frog, in order to discover who his betrothed really is.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "A prince disguises himself to find true love—

Prince Nolan has had enough of Princess Blythe—the woman to whom he has been betrothed since infancy—and her simpering letters. Does the princess truly not have a brain in her head? Never before has he communicated with someone who seemed so childish and spoiled. It was time he met her for himself, to decide if he could actually follow through with this marriage. But to do it right, she must not see how handsome he is. He needs a disguise—something that would show him her true nature.

Nolan asks an old herb woman to transform him into a creature that is disgusting to any female—a frog. The spell will last thirty days unless the princess does the impossible and kisses him. Now the true test begins. Will Blythe prove to be as monstrously annoying as he believes she is, or will he learn to see past his judgments and find a loving princess waiting for him?"

Prince Nolan decides that he wants to meet the woman he married to see what exactly he is getting himself into. He decides that he needs to be turned into a frog, because it would give him the advantage to see just how Princess Blythe really is. When he gets turned into a frog and finds the Princess, he realizes that he got more than he bargained for, and is willing to see it to the end. Will Prince Nolan get his happily ever after or will he be forced to remain a frog forever?

This story had me laughing, and honestly gave me a new appreciation for The Frog Prince story in general. You will fall in love with Prince Nolan, and you get to see inside Princess Blythe's soul where you will be able to make your own judgement. Jenni takes the reader into a wonderful world and makes this fairy tale perfect for a newer generation. If you love fairy tale retellings, this is one retelling that you won't want to miss.

Go kiss a frog readers (only in your imagination through, don't really kiss a frog)!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website!

Friday, December 28, 2018

Rising Review

Happy of Happiest Friday's Everyone!

 I hope everyone's week was a good one. Today I wanted to review an amazing book that I stumbled upon one day while looking at kindle books, and after reading the description I knew I had to see what happens. Rising by Holly Kelly takes the reader on an adventure on land, as well as, an adventure under the sea.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "In a war between the humans and the inhabitants of the sea-humans will lose. Xanthus Dimitriou-the most lethal Dagonian to rise from the ocean-is on a mission to save mankind from annihilation. But first there's one small thing he needs to do... kill a beautiful young woman in a wheelchair. Killing her doesn't start out as part of his plan. He entrenches himself deep in the human world. Aligning himself with his enemies, he prepares to send them to Triton to face their punishment. Then Sara Taylor rolls onto the scene. Xanthus knows at once she's a criminal. And her crime? Being born. She's a human/Dagonian half-breed, an abomination. Killing her should be an easy job. All he has to do is break into her apartment, slit her throat, and feed her body to the sharks. Simple, right? Wrong. If only she weren't so beautiful, so innocent, so sweet... Saving the world may have to wait. It appears Xanthus has a woman to save. But protecting her may cost him his own life."

All Xanthus knows is that he was given a mission, and he is meant to see it through. When he comes on land with a pair of legs, he creeps into Sara's house with the only thought being to kill her. However, when he sees her he can't help but fight his killing instinct, and a power of protectiveness feels him to his core. Sara maybe in a wheelchair, however she has a mighty fine attitude, and she doesn't take no crap from anyone. She just wants to live a normal life, but feels like something is missing in her life. When she meets Xanthus, she discovers that missing part and what her true destiny is. However, will she be able to trust him to protect her, and take her to her rightful home or will she just feel like an outsider forever?

This book is told from two points of view, Xanthus's and Sara's. I like when books do this, because I feel like you get more of the story that way. Holly drags the reader into the story, and makes you wish that you could grow a fin, because when she describes the underwater part it is so amazing. If you are a fan of mermaids, strong female characters, a good love story, and a story where characters find where they truly belong, than this book is for you!

Happy Underwater Adventures Friends!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Wolves and Roses Review

Happy Christmas Eve Everyone!

 The book I am reviewing today is Wolves and Roses by Christina Bauer. This book focuses on people who live fairy tale templates, and are supposed to follow them. You get to meet Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and other fairy tale characters that you have come to love!

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem. She’s descended from one of the three magical races—shifters, fairies, or witches. That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template. In Bryar’s case, that template should be Sleeping Beauty.

Should being the key word.

Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the sleeping beauty life template. Not even close. She doesn’t like birds or woodland creatures. She can’t sing. And she certainly can’t stand Prince Philpot, the so-called “His Highness of Hedge Funds” that her aunties want her to marry. Even worse, Bryar’s having recurring dreams of a bad boy hottie and is obsessed with finding papyri from ancient Egypt. What’s up with that?

All Bryar wants is to attend a regular high school with normal humans and forget all about shifters, fairies, witches, and the curse that Colonel Mallory the Magnificent placed on her. And she might be able to do just that--if only she can just keep her head down until her eighteenth birthday when the spell that’s ruined her life goes buh-bye.

But that plan gets turned upside down when Bryar Rose meets Knox, the bad boy who’s literally from her dreams. Knox is a powerful werewolf, and his presence in her life changes everything, and not just because he makes her knees turn into Jell-O. If Bryar can’t figure out who—or what—she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives… as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself."

I don't want to expand more on the book from the description, because I don't want to give anything away. But if you love fairy tales, sexy shape shifters, witches, mystery, ancient Egypt, and a story that will leave you on the edge of your seat, then this book is for you. I am currently reading the sequal to this book now called Shifters and Glyphs, and I have to tell you I can't put it down. I will probably actually be done with it tonight!

I hope everyone has a great and safe holiday!

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Image taken from Goodreads website.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Winterspell Review

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

 With Christmas being right around the corner I wanted to review a book that put me in the Christmas spirit. Winterspell by Claire Legrand is a retelling of the Nutcracker, and what a story it is. I honestly knew very little about the Nutcracker before I read this book, and I haven't even seen the ballet of it, although I have always wanted to. Even with going in not knowing a lot about the story, this story paints a clear and descriptive picture of what the Nutcracker is about.

The description was taken from the Goodreads  website:

 "The clock chimes midnight, a curse breaks, and a girl meets a prince…but what follows is not all sweetness and sugarplums.

New York City, 1899. Clara Stole, the mayor’s ever-proper daughter, leads a double life. Since her mother’s murder, she has secretly trained in self-defense with the mysterious Drosselmeyer.

Then, on Christmas Eve, disaster strikes.

Her home is destroyed, her father abducted—by beings distinctly not human. To find him, Clara journeys to the war-ravaged land of Cane. Her only companion is the dethroned prince Nicholas, bound by a wicked curse. If they’re to survive, Clara has no choice but to trust him, but his haunted eyes burn with secrets—and a need she can’t define. With the dangerous, seductive faery queen Anise hunting them, Clara soon realizes she won’t leave Cane unscathed—if she leaves at all.

Inspired by The Nutcracker, Winterspell is a dark, timeless fairy tale about love and war, longing and loneliness, and a girl who must learn to live without fear."

Clara's world is thrown through a loop on Christmas Eve when her home is destroyed and her father is taken. Clara doesn't know what to do, until she learns about the world of Cane. Clara must journey into the unknown if she wants to save her father and the life she has always known. Clara must put aside her fears and find the strength within herself to save the world of Cane and save Nicholas, who she must trust with her life. If she can get Nicholas back on a throne that is rightfully his, than she can return with her father to her own world. Will Clara be able to save her father or will her fears overcome her that she succumbs to them and is trapped in the world of Cane forever?

Claire is such an amazing storyteller, that she brings the reader into a dark retelling of the Nutcracker, and spins the most beautiful story of a heroine who must find her true self. She gives life to all of her characters, and with her storytelling, the reader doesn't have to know anything about the Nutcracker prior to reading the story. This is one story that everyone who loves adventure, mystery, and characters going on a journey to find out who they really are, cannot miss!

Enjoy this dark Nutcracker retelling adventure my friends!

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The image was taken from the Goodreads website.

Friday, December 14, 2018

The Vampire's Mail Order Bride Review

Happy Friday Fun Day!

  So today is an amazing day, because I am graduating with my Bachelor's degree today! So I wanted to review a funny romance story that deals with supernatural beings. The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter is a laugh out loud romance story that you will want to read again and again.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town where Halloween is celebrated 365 days a year. The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better. Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs and all.

After seeing her maybe-mobster boss murder a guy, Delaney James assumes a new identity and pretends to be a mail order bride. What she doesn't know is her groom to be is a 400-year-old vampire.

Hugh Ellingham has only agreed to the set up to make his overbearing grandmother happy. His past means love is no longer an option. Except he never counted on Delaney and falling in love for real.
Too bad both of them are keeping some mighty big secrets..."

When Delaney witness's her boss murder someone, she knows that if she wants to live than she needs to get out of town and disappear fast. Her chance comes when she sees a file about a man who is looking for a bride. She assumes the identity of the woman that was picked out and makes her way to Nocturne Falls. When she gets there she is surrounded by Halloween, and pulls up to a mansion to meet her groom. As she gets to know Hugh, she discovers that not everything is as it seems, and that there is something going on in the town of Nocturne Falls. Can she accept the truth of what Hugh really is or will the truth be too much for her to take?

This story is told from two points of view, Delaney's and Hugh's. You will laugh, and be on the edge of your seat until the very end. This is one book you won't want to put down, and you will fall in love with all the characters. Good thing this is part of a book series, so that you are able to see other characters stories!

Go fall in love with a sexy vampire my friends!

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Friday, November 16, 2018

The Binding Review

Hey it's Friday guys!

  For my last review of the week, I wanted to do a review on a story that has it all. The Binding by L. Filloon is one wild, action packed, adventure that you don't want to miss. It will have you laughing, screaming, crying, and wanting to reach through the book to slap the stupid out of one character (or at least that was what I wanted to do, but my Kindle didn't let me).

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Two nights after her eighteenth birthday, Lily is attacked while out jogging, but is saved by Tharin Lunar, a Sidhe prince. When she discovers that her attacker is her own brother, Lucas, who disappeared four years ago, Lily refuses to believe that her brother would truly hurt her and becomes determined to find Lucas and bring him home. Lily finds that Lucas’ disappearance is somehow tied to Tharin; so when he informs her that she is his betrothed and must return with him to Velesi, fulfill a treaty between their families and unite the two strongest clans through their marriage, Lily agrees. However, she’s not going to Velesi for a wedding, but to bring home her only family, Lucas.

On their journey to the borders of Velesi, the realm of the Thirteen Clans, they’re pursued by a Sidhe assassin group call the Ange, meet with an ogre crime lord that ends badly, deal with a sleazy troll motel manager, and when they discover that there’s a bounty on their heads, they must keep one step ahead of every assassin, bounty hunter and low-life criminal in Velesi.

Protecting Lily has become the biggest challenge of Tharin’s life. Lucky for him he has help in the form of his twin brother, Tolan, Lily’s best friend Julia and his three bodyguard cousins."

Lily is just your average girl, who is balancing teenage life and school, until one day she is rescued by a prince that claims she is the lost princess, and is arranged to be married to Tharin, who seems to hate her. Lily goes with them in hopes of getting her brother back, but along the way she will start learning a thing or two about herself, that will have her thinking about her future. She starts to get comfortable around the Sidhe elves, and it helps that her best friend Julie is along for the ride as well. Lily will have to learn how to control her new life, if she is going to stay alive long enough to live it.

L. Filloon gives the reader two points of view, one from Lily's and the other view from Tharin. In doing this you get to see how each character reacts to the same situation, and you get to see them grow along the way. I love it when authors tell stories from two different characters points of view, because I believe it helps the reader take a deeper dive into the story. Plus, you get to see what each character is thinking, and also get to peek behind the scenes, instead of only reading the story from one characters point of view. If you love magic, elves, adventure, and books that make the characters become a part of you, than you need to read this amazing book!

Good luck on your journey into the magical unknown!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Friday, November 9, 2018

Tiger Lily Review

Hello Dearies!

 So I have loved the movie Peter Pan ever since I was a child, and if you have seen the movie than you will recognize the name of this book. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson brings the readers back to Neverland, for an all new adventure with the character of Tiger Lily. Jodi introduces you to another side of Neverland while introducing you to a character that stories about Peter Pan mention, but with this one you get to deep dive into just who exactly Tiger Lily is.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair...

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Peaches comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up."

Tiger Lily is in love with the mysterious boy who doesn't want to grow up, and since he is her first love, all she wants to do is be with him. Tiger Lily goes on a journey that will make her follow her heart, and find herself in the process. Jodi takes the secondary character of Tiger Lily, and gives her a new life. While reading this book, you get to see Tiger Lily in her own element, and she is given her voice. When I read this book I remember thinking that Tiger Lily is one strong woman, who will do anything for love, however in the end she finds who she is meant to truly be. This is a must read for anyone who wants to live in Neverland, and learn more about the amazing character of Tiger Lily.

Safe travels to Neverland my fellow lost readers!

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

The Lantern's Ember Review

Happy Halloween!

 So we have now arrived to my favorite holiday, Halloween, and I have been saving this review for today, because it is perfect. Today I will be reviewing The Lantern's Ember by Colleen Houck, and this is the perfect Halloween story. Colleen takes you into a world of how Halloween started and while reading this book you will start to see all the Halloween stories you are used to.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Welcome to a world where nightmarish creatures reign supreme.

Five hundred years ago, Jack made a deal with the devil. It’s difficult for him to remember much about his mortal days. So, he focuses on fulfilling his sentence as a Lantern—one of the watchmen who guard the portals to the Otherworld, a realm crawling with every nightmarish creature imaginable. Jack has spent centuries jumping from town to town, ensuring that nary a mortal—or not-so-mortal—soul slips past him. That is, until he meets beautiful Ember O’Dare.

Seventeen, stubborn, and a natural-born witch, Ember feels a strong pull to the Otherworld. Undeterred by Jack’s warnings, she crosses into the forbidden plane with the help of a mysterious and debonair vampire—and the chase through a dazzling, dangerous world is on. Jack must do everything in his power to get Ember back where she belongs before both the earthly and unearthly worlds descend into chaos."

Ember is a witch that feels drawn to the Otherworld and she isn't sure why. Jack is a lantern, and has been watching over Ember ever since she was a child. Ember will do anything within her power to make it through the crossroad and into the Otherworld, even accept help from a Vampire. When Ember is brought into the Otherworld, Jack must leave his post and go chasing after her to try and bring her back home. While in the Otherworld, Ember meets creatures like Vampires, Demons, Witches, Werewolves, invisible men, Frankenstein, and even the boogieman makes an appearance. Colleen brings you into another world where creatures that we have only believed to be made up exist. She weaves a story that introduces how our favorite Halloween stories were created in a way, and all of her creatures make you think about one's you have heard before. This story will have you guessing until the end, and trust me when I say there is a twist that you never saw coming, and couldn't even begin to guess what it was until it his dropped on you like a bomb.

This book will get you in the Halloween spirit, even after all the ghouls have gone home for the night!

Trick or Treat with this fun delight my fellow ghouls and goblins!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Monday, October 29, 2018

The Night Circus Review

Hey Guys!

 Can you believe October is almost over? This year has been going by so fast. With keeping to the Fall theme, today I am reviewing The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This book is so beautifully written that you will be caught up in the disappearing, re-appearing circus world. This book has magic, mystery, forbidden love, and suspense. What more could you ask for in a nail biting wild adventure ride.

The summery for this book was taken from the Goodreads website:

 " The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des RĂªves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart."

Celia and Marco are like Romeo and Juliet thrown into the glorious backdrop of the circus. Celia is groomed to be the best magician out there, and is supposed to hate Marco. Marco has been taught that Celia is the enemy and he must destroy her. When they start falling in love they see each other in a different light, and must keep their romance a secret from their instructors. Erin brings these characters struggles together, and takes the reader on a mysterious, magical ride that you won't want to get off of. I didn't want to put this book down when I read it, and I had to know how everything ended. This story is written in such a way that it will keep the reader guessing until the very end, and will take you on so many twist and turns that you get lost in this amazing adventure.

Enjoy the Circus my fellow readers!

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Image taken from Goodreads website.