Review of Indigo Dusk: An Epic Fantasy Romance (The Aetherial Embrace Trilogy Book 1) by Kristy Nicolle

Review of Indigo Dusk: An Epic Fantasy Romance (The Aetherial Embrace Trilogy Book 1) by Kristy Nicolle

5 stars

Indigo Dusk is by far one of my favorite reads of 2020.

I've followed this Author since her debut novel and she just keeps getting better and better. Her attention to detail is insane. Her character and world-building are out of this world. She doesn't just let you fall into the story. She sweeps you away in it like a ferocious hurricane! 

Indigo Dusk is about a young woman named Kairi, fighting an invisible illness. She finds solace in a man whom she thinks is going to give her a happily ever after. He sweeps her away to a magical place. The vivid imagery of this fairytale-like place is just beyond amazing. The detail that went into this new world is phenomenal. I felt like I was in this heavenly sacred place. The color scheme and details were just so precise and painted the best picture in my head. It gave me all sorts of the feels. I love that by the end of the book Kairi does not let her disease run her life. She accepts her past and takes charge of the present and her future. This book left me wanting more. SO much more. It's going to hurt waiting for the next installment. This was just such a great book!  One that will stay with me for a long time. I love mythical creatures and fairytale-like stories. So, this had me hook line and sinker. I often can tell how a story is going to end and this one had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. I would highly recommend this book to others.

5 beautifully amazing stars

Reviewed by The Magic of Books Admin Jenna

Review of Good Intentions (Volume One) by Ana Balen

Review of Good Intentions (Volume One) by Ana Balen

4 stars

First, if you are triggered by cheating this book is not for you. However, that stuff doesn't bother me so I dug right into this book and devoured it in one sitting! It starts out making you feel all warm and gooey with the set up of the storyline. Fast forward a few years after that initial first scene and you are left with a depressing state of the MC's current life. It's really hard not to feel sorry for him. I did feel like this story progressed very quickly. I wish there was more information in the storyline. Other than that I thought it was written very well. That last line of the book basically guarantees that you WILL WANT to pick up the next one!

If you are looking for a quick read this is definitely one I'd recommend!

Reviewed by The Magic of Books Admin Jenna

Review of Destiny for Love Arranged (A Second Chance Romance Book 1) by Vash Karuppa

Review of Destiny for Love Arranged (A Second Chance Romance Book 1) by Vash Karuppa

4 stars

I enjoyed the story as second-chance romances are some of my favorites. Aariyan Ranjan is making his name in the hotel business, and Varini Iyengar is a doctor who has worked hard through a difficult start to life to find a place where she belongs. Her best friend is Aariyan's sister, so they've known each other most of their lives. However, there's always at least one person in a relationship who makes a huge mistake that makes it hard to come back from it. Yet, when they're both faced with circumstances that bring them to an arranged marriage, there is hope on both sides that something will get them to a place where they want to be. Of course, throughout the story, things are said, feelings are hurt, and actions are taken that could cause them to lose each other for good.

I have to say that I love that the story was written about a society about which I know little. The index for the reader was excellent in its explanations, and it made following the endearments and the religious aspects of the story so much easier. It's not always easy to use when an index is separate from a story, especially in ebooks. But it was such a helpful tool.
Also, dual point of view really made it easier to read in this instance because the way the characters played off of each other helped with the interpretations.

It's a beautiful love story unfolding in front of the reader. There's a lot of realization on each character's part as they face the hardships thrown at them. And as much as you watch them stumble, you hope there will be something that gives them that extra push. The twists are heartbreaking, and there are areas that become emotional, especially when truths are told and secrets are revealed. And that is what makes up a good story.

If I could caution the author, I would suggest she doesn't write in omniscient POV. I found it confusing and considered giving the book a lower star value because of it. If the story is taking place from dual POVs, make a cleans separation between them so the reader remembers who is speaking. There were several times I had to go back and reread portions of the story to figure out when the POV changed. If the reader has to reread to clear confusion, there's a problem with the writing. Also, run-on sentences had me rereading for the same reasons. Punctuation is key for clarification. Find a good editor, and make sure the sentences are interpreted the way they are meant to be. I gave 4 stars for story and content. Much of it was new to me, and I love learning new things. Different societies are what makes the world an interesting place to live.

Reviewed by The Magic of Books Reviewer Dawn

Review of Hush, Now Forget (Sisters of Bloodcreek, #1) by Mary Gray, Cammie Larsen

Review of Hush, Now Forget (Sisters of Bloodcreek, #1) by Mary Gray, Cammie Larsen

                                                     

4 stars

Eva and Frost give us a dual view of the horrors of their world, beginning at Bloodcreek but expanding to include the world of the previously unseen. This story is filled with the excitement of spirit hunting and first love. It takes us through heart-rending family life and into an underground society that keeps the blood pumping and the mind whirling. The first-person accounts of the adventures of these two teens are thrilling, frightening, and full of adventure whether they want to participate or not. With their friends Leo and Raylan, they may just survive.

I thought it moved a little slow in places from the beginning, but once it got into the meat of the story, it was non-stop action and terrifying adventure. It held my attention and had me on the edge of my seat. With some biblical references and a swirl of the paranormal, it was definitely unique and left me wondering what happens next as these young women mature.

Reviewed by The Magic of Books Reviewer Dawn

Review of Sweet Valentine by S.A. Clayton

Review of Sweet Valentine by S.A. Clayton

                                               

4.5 stars

Val and Noah met when Noah came to her bakery to get cookies for the Valentine's Day project the class was doing. I enjoyed how they came together and I liked how the had a little cat and mouse game going on.
I do think if Noah was honest that drama could have been avoided but at the same time, I liked that Val's reaction was real.
I would happily read it again and I'm looking forward to reading more by the Author.

Reviewed by The Magic of Books Reviewer Kathleen

Review of The Opal Blade by Kristy Nicolle

Review of The Opal Blade by Kristy Nicolle

5 stars 

Kristy Nicolle has done it again! I don’t give out 5 stars easily and she has snagged another one from me! The Opal Blade starts out with a very spoiled rich girl, Sephy. She hides behind her snarky and quick-witted attitude. At first, I was thrilled about this character. It was a breath of fresh air having a woman MC taking up characteristics that you see in most male MC’s, example-rich, cocky, womanizing man whore. So to have a female character do that it was different. Then I started to not like Sephy. Her attitude got old, her nighttime antics got old, she seriously came across as a spoiled rich girl. However, in my eyes, she fully redeems herself and becomes a loveable character. She’s a bad ass hero that doesn’t need saving. I loved her friendship with Xion. He was like the Ying to Sephy’s Yang. They insult each other perfectly. I really loved the world the Author built in this book. I’ve always loved Greek mythology so as soon as I knew it was about the underworld I was intrigued. Her take on it was way different than anything I’ve ever read before and it sucked me in! I love how she didn’t make “hell” this crazy damned place. She made it where you can repent and still move on. You weren’t damned for eternity like everyone believes. The characters and this world just went together perfectly. Oh, and I can’t forget about Haedes. Omg, I think I’m in love! I really love this character and can’t wait for more of him in book 2. What can I say I’ve always loved the bad boys. Throughout the entire book, you were questioning everyone's motives. Are they sincere? Are they trustworthy? Is so and so going to betray Sephy. It was seriously written so perfectly, and you didn't know what was coming next. The twist at the end surprised me! I did not see it coming at all. It really set the pace for the next novel and I really can’t wait to dig in. I would highly recommend this book to everyone! Like seriously go pick it up right now!

Reviewed by Admin Jenna

Review of In Over Her Head: Lights, Camera, Anxiety by Krysten Lindsay Hager

Review of In Over Her Head: Lights, Camera, Anxiety by Krysten Lindsay Hager

                                                  
4 stars


This is the perfect angst-ridden teen love story with a twist. Cecily has problems with anxiety, and this issue bleeds into everything in her day from school to her social life. It's an issue so many teens face today, and I thought it was well written by this author. We're taken into the mind of a teen girl who has anxious thoughts about everything - tests, friendships, her parents, her career choices, and her love life. When she connects with another soul who has the same issue, everything in both their worlds escalates. And the reader is left wondering whether their relationship will survive unscathed.

It was sweet, poignant, and pertinent to the teen world of today. We expect so much from our young people, and we push them to be better. Sometimes it's too much for their adolescent minds to handle. I thought it was well thought out and refreshing. It even had me feeling anxious. I definitely recommend it for high school reading.


Reviewed by The Magic of Books Reviewer Dawn