Luzia is a scullery maid for an average, not particularly wealthy couple. She can also do magic. She keeps this to herself apart f4.5 ⭐️
I loved this!
Luzia is a scullery maid for an average, not particularly wealthy couple. She can also do magic. She keeps this to herself apart from the odd fix, such as when the bread is burnt or a glass is smashed.
When her mistress learns of her powers, she quickly tries to make money from her. It is only when she gets the attention of Antonio Perez that she realises the danger she could be in.
With the inquisition killing anyone who could be deemed a witch or a heretic, Luxia must prove her magic is god given and she is pure. This isn’t helped by the feelings she develops for Antonio’s slave.
I loved the romance which is odd for me. I loved the magic and the historical background. It was a wonderful world to get lost in. ...more
I absolutely adored The Ten Thousand Doors of January, but sadly this one didn’t hit the same way for me.
I like the premise, 3 sisters reunited afterI absolutely adored The Ten Thousand Doors of January, but sadly this one didn’t hit the same way for me.
I like the premise, 3 sisters reunited after 7 years all with secrets and hidden resentments. They form a group of women to fight for rights and also for witching.
Mainly I found it too long, I frequently lost interest, I felt things weren’t moving swiftly enough to keep my interest.
I pushed through but ultimately it just didn’t grab me enough. ...more
Didn’t quite grab me as much as I’d hope but it was still ok.
Emily Wilde is a scholar, who focuses solely on faeries and is planning to make an3.5 ⭐️
Didn’t quite grab me as much as I’d hope but it was still ok.
Emily Wilde is a scholar, who focuses solely on faeries and is planning to make an encyclopaedia of all the faerie folk of the different parts of the world.
She travels to a remote and icy land in order to study the folk who are least known. Who should turn up to join her but her irksome colleague Wendell Bambleby (great name ...more
Ok, so I loved the premise. In a Manor House in the country a most secret and extravagant party is thrown every year.
Forster and his best friends RosOk, so I loved the premise. In a Manor House in the country a most secret and extravagant party is thrown every year.
Forster and his best friends Rose and Marvin are always on the look out for the elusive invitations which tell of the theme and date of the next spectacular event.
The parties are thrown by a mysterious woman, who usually turns up to perform a ballet dance before melting away into the shadows.
Who is she? Forster becomes entranced and infatuated, determined to know more of this girl.
Once we know of Etta’s secret I felt it started to drag, it was very piney - Forster is constantly yearning and whining. And yes it was unfair, such is life, but I got a bit tired reading about it.
And then the ending (view spoiler)[ Forster finally finds the person responsible for cursing Etta and when he tries to reverse it he turns to ice! So Etta remains a swan except during snow fall and Forster continues to live there with her and pine. (hide spoiler)]
All very dramatic and a bit too much for me. But then I’m basically dead inside ...more
The gang is back! But this time they are visiting Jacob in present day Florida.
After all the action from the library of souls, Jacob and the others fThe gang is back! But this time they are visiting Jacob in present day Florida.
After all the action from the library of souls, Jacob and the others feel like they need another task. But when they are all given meaningless tasks from Miss Peregrine they feel under appreciated.
When Jacob finds his grandfathers secret bunker with all his previous missions on, he feels like he must continue what Abe started.
I liked the premise, and I enjoy a dark fair tale. But this was a bit over sexualised and even too grim for me at times.
Marlinchen and her sisters arI liked the premise, and I enjoy a dark fair tale. But this was a bit over sexualised and even too grim for me at times.
Marlinchen and her sisters are witches, they live under the harsh thumb and rules of their father, the only remaining wizard.
They sneak out at night to the ballet where Marlinchen becomes infatuated with the lead dancer. Meanwhile stories abound of a creature who is killing people and removing their organs.
The relationship between Marlinchen and Sevas seemed forced to me. It was particularly primal and we don’t get to see them actually grow fond or get to know each other. It just suddenly happens.
Also (view spoiler)[ finding her sister fornicating with the monster in their garden seemed a bit much. Are they really that desperate? (hide spoiler)] I feel like this was added purely for shock value.
The writing was descriptive, but ultimately not enough for me. ...more
Jacob, Emma and Addison are separated from the rest of the gang and they are determined to save them. With Jacob’s new fouReally enjoying this series!
Jacob, Emma and Addison are separated from the rest of the gang and they are determined to save them. With Jacob’s new found power for controlling Hollows they may stand a fighting chance.
They stumble into one of the darkest places in perculiardom. Meeting a man who says he can help them.
With so many twists and turns along the way I loved how they wrapped it up. I’m also excited to see that there is a second trilogy - I think I’ll get onto them soon. ...more
Ok, so I liked this one slightly more than the first book. But it was still too much weird and not enough explanation.
So all of the ex-sto3 stars ⭐️
Ok, so I liked this one slightly more than the first book. But it was still too much weird and not enough explanation.
So all of the ex-stories have now left the Hinterland and are fending for themselves in NYC. Alice finds herself drawn to them, despite her best attempts to separate herself from that part of her life.
When the Hinterland is destroyed, and ex-stories are turning up dead, Alice takes it upon herself to solve the mystery and save her people before even more of them are lost.
Love the writing, liked the premise - execution just still wasn’t up there. Will still give this authors newest book a try. And I’m excited to read The Tales of the Hinterland- I reckon those short stories will be really good. ...more
This was a magical read, I just didn’t love the way the plot went by the end.
Saiorse is an island of secrets. When a teenage girl is found dead everyThis was a magical read, I just didn’t love the way the plot went by the end.
Saiorse is an island of secrets. When a teenage girl is found dead everyone blames August Salt, so much so that he and his mother flee the island, leaving behind his best friend and lover Emery Blackwood.
However, the death of his mother brings August back to the island nearly 15 years later. Bringing up all sorts of secrets and feelings.
I loved August and Emery’s relationship, it was great to watch them navigate this new ground with their past always hovering.
(view spoiler)[ I just found the whole ending where the town planned on killing August just to gain control of the orchard to be a bit much. (hide spoiler)]
I still really love this authors writing and it really set the mood of a dark island in autumn. ...more
Mixed reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed this magical, wintry tale.
I’m not overly familiar with the original story of the Nutcracker so I was able to Mixed reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed this magical, wintry tale.
I’m not overly familiar with the original story of the Nutcracker so I was able to take everything in my stride.
Marietta is from a noble family, but she dreams of being a ballerina. Her father has told her this years Christmas performance will be her last. She receives advances from a mysterious neighbour who has just arrived in the town.
When she rejects his advances she flees and finds herself transported to another world. This world is run by a tyrant king who seeks only his own pleasures and cares nothing for his people.
He quickly spots Marietta and forces her to dance for him every night. She must find a way to escape and return home.
A quick and easy read, the descriptions were wonderful and I enjoyed all the different characters. A nice Christmassy story.
**************************** So the question is. Do I read a Christmas book in June? Or do I send it back to the library and reorder nearer Christmas?...more
“She could not slay her own fears. But as for the men who’d made her afraid- they could bleed.”
I love a good heist/journey fantasy story and this o “She could not slay her own fears. But as for the men who’d made her afraid- they could bleed.”
I love a good heist/journey fantasy story and this one gave me everything I needed!
Mer is the last living water diviner. After escaping the Prince, where she was taken as a child and forced into servitude for 8 years, she has been hiding out. When her old spymaster finds her, he offers her a chance for revenge on the Prince who tormented and abused her.
Along with a couple of other crew members including a boy blessed (or cursed) by the fair folk they plan to reach a magical well known to have unimaginable qualities.
The plot moved at a good pace, steady enough to follow but fast enough to keep interest. I loved the mix of characters and all of the magical elements.
An interesting collection of dark fairy tales, but ultimately I don’t think I’ll remember most of them.
I found a lot of them made little sense (equalAn interesting collection of dark fairy tales, but ultimately I don’t think I’ll remember most of them.
I found a lot of them made little sense (equally I did find this with the original duology so I’m not overly surprised) things just seemed to happen with no real explanation of the lore.
Like I said, they were ok, but nothing overly memorable. ...more
“You won’t mean to, but one day the wind might carry you away. The sky is vast…something you may become lost in. I could not bear to lose you to the “You won’t mean to, but one day the wind might carry you away. The sky is vast…something you may become lost in. I could not bear to lose you to the forest of stars.”
When Louisa’s mother passes away, she is forced to flee after the villagers notice her strange abilities and chase her out of town.
Louisa floats above everything, above the ground, above a chair she would sit on. Her power comes from her father, a man she hasn’t seen since he floated away when she was a little girl.
She finds herself drawn to the Carnival Beneath the Stars, where she is quickly made to feel welcome and makes new friends.
But all is not well in the carnival. Accidents are happening and the magical talents of the different members are fading away.
Can Louisa and her friends figure out the cause of this darkness and stop it before it is too late?
I loved this magical, whimsical tale. Full of colourful characters and a delightfully spooky story. It may be middle grade but if gave me everything I was looking for and I definitely think adults will enjoy it.
“Nothing was better than being known by someone, than being understood and trusted and loved for being just who you were.” ...more
Miranda has been in severe pain since an accident at the peak of her acting career. Now working as a director at a university for drama, while a3.5 ⭐️
Miranda has been in severe pain since an accident at the peak of her acting career. Now working as a director at a university for drama, while attempting to manage her pain that all the doctors seem to brush off; it’s fair to say she is at rock bottom.
One evening at the pub she meets 3 unusual men who seem to have the answers to all Miranda’s problems. They listen to her, and understand her grievances. Her pain can be removed, the brat in her class whose parents buy her the lead role will get her just deserts.
However, there is always a price to pay. Be careful what you wish for.
I loved the writing, it was gripping and the premise was great. Miranda did go a bit cray near the end but I guess that was understandable. But I also wish we had more clarity on what was real, what was imagined. Who were the men? What was their point, why would they help her?
Just wanted some more information on what was what. Will try something else by this author.
******************************** Library copy available for pick up
Some great reviews for this one. Looking forward to it ...more
Another action packed instalment of this series! Mark is in his final year at school, trying to juggle upcoming exams, his relationship with Damien andAnother action packed instalment of this series! Mark is in his final year at school, trying to juggle upcoming exams, his relationship with Damien and ongoing dark magic and dark witches.
Damien is still harbouring a demon and a separate demon is not far away. But is there such a thing as a trustworthy demon?
Overall, a gripping story with lots of wonderful characters and supernatural drama. ...more
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