I freaking loved this graphic novel. I mean, I loved the first volume, so it makes total sense that I loved the second one. But I actually think that I loved this a little more. Maybe because now that most of the world building and backstory has been solidified, Ries was able to dig a bit deeper into the particulars of Nyeve.
Everything about this tale is beautiful and complex. It is a great journey all on its own, but there’s also this great sense of social commentary as well. Every moment of this made me reflect on the world that I live in, the biases and restrictions that we place on the “other”. It’s amazing how provocative and emotive the imagery throughout this is.
I do love how Nyeve marches to the beat of her own drum. Throughout all of this people are trying to twist and shape her to their own idea of rebellion and future. Trying to show her how to go against the grain, but to do so by fitting THEIR preconceived idea of how that looks. And it’s when she decides to truly be herself and ignore all the ideas of other people that she truly comes into her own.
There are lots of bits of Bananas past that are slowly coming to light throughout this graphic novel. I want to believe that he is good and going to be a great guide for Nyeve. But there’s that lingering feeling that he might be the source of some serious betrayal in the future. I just can’t wait to find out if I’m right or wrong!!!
Although this is a story that takes place in the Mageverse series and gives a bit more context to the storyline. At its core, this is a great story about someone breaking the patterns of abuse. Not just finding her true love and a happily ever after but figuring out a way to escape the abuse of not only a stalker man, but her own damn father. I loved the romance in this, but I also loved how Elena is able to break a truly horrible cycle that doesn’t often get broken.
The use of werewolves and vampires in the Mageverse series is completely unique and awesome. I haven’t actually read any of the full-length novels as of yet, but every time I pick up a novella, I can’t quite figure out why I haven’t done that yet. The fact that werewolves were “created” as a check and balance for the vampires was incredibly fun. So not only do I want more of Elena and Lucas, but I just want more of the Mageverse werewolves in general.
I loved Elena for her strength of character in a ridiculous situation, but I also just loved Lucas. He is ridiculously yummy, and although I don’t necessarily subscribe to the whole idea of a man coming to my rescue… I can’t imagine not wanting Lucas to come my way… I mean, good man, yummy chest, set God… who wouldn’t want that?
The ending of this is completely predictable in so many ways. Particularly the Spirit Link. Although, I was surprised at a few of the conclusions to the other relationships in this. A wonderful novella, one that I seriously enjoyed.
Graphic novels are still a fairly new genre for me. Admittedly, I was a bit of a snob about reading graphic novels, I didn’t necessarily consider them “books”. Luckily, I grew out of that when I started to find some authors that I absolutely adore. And, yet again, I’ve found one that completely fits this bill. I loved the story line, the graphics and just the general experience of reading this graphic novel.
I really enjoyed the idea that hair dictates the power of a being. For me, it was a great commentary on how we judge people by their looks. And if they don’t fit into our expectations, based on how they look, then we tend to discount them. In the case of this tale, the lead is constantly trying to hide her power. That, and there’s the horrors of her own experiences with bureaucracy – powerful is good, too powerful is bad.
I can’t wait to try and sink my teeth into the next Witchy collection – I’m sure I could read it online through Ries’ website, but I love the feel of having a book in my hands. Reading by lamplight, late at night. The mood making is just beautiful. Plus, there is something far more magical about having the printed version of the images – I have a tendency to run my fingers across the beauty of the graphics that Ries has created.
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. Witchywas an entirely unexpected world that left me smiling and wanting more. But, as with all the graphic novels that I’ve been enjoying lately – there is an extra message about the state of our world. The idea that we need to stop judging others by our preconceived notions. And the reminder that sometimes power threatens others, and we need to be wary of this too.
When I saw that there was a paranormal cozy mystery series available through kobo plus… my sleep deprived brain went straight to its happy place. And I really wasn’t disappointed. This was fun and light. With just enough mystery and drama to make it incredibly difficult to put down.
Any mystery that has a culprit I didn’t see coming is going to make me happy. There were a few aspects of this story that I DID anticipate. But so much that took me completely by surprise. I loved this balance. And for that alone, not only do I plan to read the rest of this series, but I’ll probably reread this again. Find the clues that I missed before.
I love that this is an incredibly female driven story. Not just in the lead, her mother and aunt, but also the way she lives her life. There’s a fair amount of commentary about the fact that we shouldn’t settle. Her relationship is this perfect example of taking a step back and letting someone just take you for granted. And that is actually not okay.
Aside from all the joys if a fabulous, female driven, cozy mystery; I loved all the magic and mayhem throughout. Mostly the fact that there’s a crazy, witchy aunty making everything incredibly difficult. It had me laughing and cackling all the way through.
Title: Sky of Ash Author: Rachel Madbury Series: The Sevens #2 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches Dates read: 27th July – 8th August 2021 Pace: Medium Format: ARC, eBook, Novel Publisher: Rachel Madbury Year: 2021 5th sentence, 74th page: I’m not going to make you uncomfortable.
Time heals nothing.
Rose Bishop has been dead for forty years, but her blood has never left Colin Finch’s hands. As a warrior of the Seven he’s charged with protecting the most powerful witches on earth, but he failed the one that mattered most to him.
Or so he thought.
When the case of a missing witch brings Finch back to Savannah, where his mistakes cost him everything, he comes face-to-face with his most painful regret – but she’s not dead at all. In a world where lies run thicker than blood, can Finch find the information he came for and keep Rose safe at the same time?
Rose never thought she’d see Finch again, but when she learns the reason for his return, she’s drawn into the darkness of his world and offered a chance at her own redemption; save this missing witch, and free herself from the ghosts that have haunted her for forty years.
The more Rose becomes entangled in Finch’s case, the more old sparks threaten to reignite, and Finch will be torn between his duty to his brothers and the woman he never meant to leave behind.
After the first book in this series, I was wondering how the search for Penny and have a whole new couple as lead. I have expected Penny to be the female interest, but then the big story line wouldn’t really continue all that well… Madbury managed to have an entirely new focus for the lead couple, but still managed to keep the hunt for Penny alive.
I love how Finch’s past builds on the hunt for Penny and pulls in Rose. In fact, unlike many of the romances I’ve read, there is no Meet Cute or a bit of an understanding. The past between Finch and Rose is incredibly painful and tragic. Meaning that most of this story involves both of them trying to move on from past hurts and scars to a new future.
It turns out that the villain (for me) in this story was one who you could completely sympathise with. Even though his actions were abhorrent, you could kind of understand the decision making when all of the cards were laid out on the table. I still got that horrified feeling in my stomach, but it was tempered with a little understanding.
Sky as Ash helped to build more of a conspiracy within this world. It strengthened the mystery and horror of the world of the Sevens. I loved the set up for Wolfe in the next book. But, more than anything. I love that there are betrayals and mysteries still to come in this series.
Title: Spark of Shadows Author: Rachel Madbury Series: The Sevens #0.5 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches Dates read: 6th – 13th April 2021 Pace: Fast Format: ARC, eBook, Novella Publisher: Rachel Madbury Year: 2020 5th sentence, 74th page: I have to meet with the man on watch.
True love never forgets.
Demons are coming for Cora Gardner. A witch like her sisters, and all the women of her line before her, her existence is threatened not only by mortals who fear what they don’t understand, but by those who live in the shadows and thrive on the darkness.
But when a warrior is summoned to be her guard she’d almost prefer to meet her fate.
Liam Wolfe is not just any warrior, he’s a Seven, created by the covens to protect the most powerful among them. He and his team are the hard edge that keep the violence at bay, so the witches of the world can hold the earth in her balance.
But demons aren’t the only ones drawn to Cora. Despite an animosity from her he cannot comprehend, Liam finds his oath as a Seven tested in the face of temptation. And as evil approaches, secrets are revealed – a truth which threatens everything he’s ever known.
Their past holds the power to reshape his world, but only if he can protect the woman who holds the key.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review.
It took me a little bit more to get into this than Splintered Stars. Probably because I had this horrible feeling all throughout the novella that Liam and Cora’s story was going to end in tragedy. After all, their love isn’t mentioned in Splintered Stars, so I felt it was an apt assumption. And whilst I like suspense, I don’t love that constant feeling of tragedy.
Yet, without any spoilers, I did actually love this romance. Its definitely about long lost lovers being reunited. Finding your way back to the one you love and want and just… being with one another. I can’t imagine spending eleven years without the one that I love, but I like the idea that we’d find our way back to one another eventually.
Although I didn’t like this novella prequel quite as much as the first novel in this series, I still seriously enjoyed it. And it just makes me itch all that much more for the second book, which I believe is due to come out soon… now I just have to exercise patience and maturity… two things which aren’t quite my strengths.
Title: Splintered Stars Author: Rachel Madbury Series: The Sevens #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches Dates read: 28th February – 7th March 2021 Pace: Medium Format: ARC, eBook, Novel Publisher: Rachel Madbury Year: 2021 5th sentence, 74th page: Her eyes went wide, the surprise and curiosity clear as she looked past him up the steps.
The greatest witch ever born doesn’t know she is one.
Some secrets aren’t best kept. Some powers can’t be contained. And for Haley Quinlan, when her sister is kidnapped she’ll learn that the life she’s built is a pale shadow to the one she’s meant for.
If she lives long enough.
He’s been watching her for three years but for the first time Lucas Turner sees the truth of who Haley is. It’s nothing he ever imagined. And it’s nothing he’s allowed to have. He’ll usher her into a world she’d been kept from and protect her life with his own, but when their connection sets them on a course filled with darkness and lies, will their greatest risk be each other?
When the world learns who she is, he’ll die for her without question, but what if she lives? What if he does?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m slowly getting used to reading books on my Kobo. And it’s stories like this that help draw me in and make me want to read ebooks. They may never be my favourite form of literary enjoyment, but they are definitely growing very happily on me. There was something amazing and wonderful about Madbury’s story and I can’t wait to read more tales of The Sevens!
I love that one of the drivers for Haley throughout this story is her love for her sister. Although they are somewhat estranged, she is still trying to find her and putting everything at risk just to save her baby sister. As an older sister, this was such a beautiful and realistic portrayal of what it is like to have a younger sibling. Even in the moments when I have felt distanced from my sister (which all siblings go through), just like Haley, I still would have moved heaven and earth to find her. And the fact that within the epilogue, it is clear that Penny also feels the same about her big sister… it’s just beautiful.
The immediate reaction between Haley and Lucas was nice. But what I liked the most was the way that they both got to know each other and worked towards each other in their acceptance of their attraction. Sometimes it can be a bit on the nose having a story in which immediate attraction means immediate love. In the case of this story, the immediate attraction was tempered by their willingness to get to know each other. It’s incredibly fun and beautiful.
At first I thought that this was a witch – vampire kind of story. The fact that it’s not, and the Seven find other ways to prolong their life was intriguing. I loved how Madbury built this amazing world and lore in such a subtle and unique way. It helps to draw you further and further into her world. I can’t believe that I didn’t get the chance to read the prologue before this novel though, I’d be interested to see how the world was built from the very first.
Splintered Stars is a fantastic paranormal fantasy story. it is filled with magic, mayhem and conspiracies. There is also that wonderful dose of lust and love throughout the story. this may be a paranormal romance story, but it was the conspiracy and sibling relationship that I loved the most… and I can’t wait to read the next story and find out what happens to Penny! And which Seven she falls for…
Title: One Bite with a Stranger Author: Christine Warren Series: The Others #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal romance, Vampires, Werewolves, Witches Dates read: 22nd – 23rd January 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: He’d killed her.
In New York Times bestselling author Christine Warren’s seductive world of The Others, passion sizzles and danger is just around the corner…
When Regina’s friends insist on setting her up on a “Fantasy Fix” to help her get over her cheating ex, she dreams up some kinky out-of-this-world encounters that they could never II possibly II bring to life. But the next thing Regina knows, her friends have got her laced into a shiny black corset, tight leather pants, and a sexy pair of stilettos. It’s time for some downtown vampire-fantasy fun…
ONE BITE WITH A STRANGER
The Vampire Ball in Manhattan’s East Village isn’t really Dmitri Vidame’s idea of a good time, but as a member of the Council that governs The Others, he has to keep an eye on all the young vamps who prey on the pretenders. After he feasts his dark eyes on fiery Regina at the bar, he knows that he must have her. But for the first time Dmitri meets a woman who is more than a match for his indomitable will. And he may be the fantasy Regina hoped for… until she – and her feisty friends – discover her sexy new lover’s bloodsucking secret…
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this brilliantly, wonderfully lustful book. I knew that I’d like it. But I didn’t quite realise how much. So much so that I basically didn’t put it down until I had read it cover to cover… there was just something about the story that completely swept me away from the very first, wonderful moment.
The collection of women in this story kind of reminded me of the women in the Knitting in the City series. Reggie and her friends get together, drink wine and talk a lot of wonderful nonsense. The fact that they do the “Fantasy Fix” just made it all that much better. Alright, so I wouldn’t want to do a Fantasy Fix myself. But the idea of having girlfriends who will hook you up with whatever amazing fantasy you want… mmm… that’s kind of delicious.
There is something incredibly, wonderfully titillating about reading the more erotic / lustful books like this. It may not be the kind of thing that I’m into myself, but it’s definitely thoroughly enjoyable reading about it! I always feel a little uncomfortable about the level of bossiness that some of these stories begin with, particularly in the case of Dmitri in his first encounter with Reggie… but then, the story begins to unfold. The characters get a little more flesh on them, and suddenly that discomfort is just… gone. And things feel sweet and a little delicious all over again.
The novella Any Witch Way She Can got me interested in this series. But this novel has most certainly got me hooked on it. I can’t wait until I can find a copy of Big Bad Wolf and sink further into the intriguing, and very toe curling world of The Others…
She’s the ninth daughter of a horrifying man, and life has not been kind to her or her sisters. But, this ninth daughter is also a witch, and things may end up alright if she just trusts in her power…
The Ninth Witch is a gross, creepy, and seriously disturbing short story. It basically careens from one horrible moment to another as the story unfolds. And it’s just… not okay. Or comfortable. Or really anything that makes me have happy feelings when reading a story. But it is also a really good story, one which I would pick up again.
Although this story was seriously disturbed and filled with the horrors of being a woman, it did have a happily ever after. Which is probably why I would love to read this again. After all, I can put up with a lot of horrible nonsense in my stories, if there is going to be a happily ever after.
Ultimately, this story is one that is about the lengths that a mother will go to to protect her child. And the fact that you should really never get between a mother and child, regardless of what species / powers they have.
Title: Veiled Enchantments Author: Deborah Blake Series: Veiled Magic #3 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Witches Dates read: 23rd September 2020 Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Publisher: Deborah Blake Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: These days the Ulf are partially a matter of status, but there is also a political component.
In this exciting novel in the Veiled Magic series, Witch and police officer Donata Santori travels to Maine to help solve a deadly mystery, where her magical abilities are tested like never before.
BB Still reeling from her unwitting involvement in murder and subsequent break up with a half-Dragon art forger, Witch-cop Donata Santori is grateful for the distraction when her ex-lover requests her help. Not only are Magnus’s beloved dead suddenly haunting the Ulfhednar shapechangers in his tiny rural hometown in Maine, their patron god Odin has turned his back on them, and the members of their once tight-knit enclave are at each other’s throats. Literally. BB
Magnus is relying on Donata’s experience in dealing with the gods, along with her magical ability to summon the dead, to help him unravel this mystery in time to save his clan. Donata only hopes to survive the ordeal so she can return home to the city and her quiet job at the precinct.
But first, she must discover who or what is behind the terrible attacks on the Ulfhednar. And the clock is ticking, in more ways than one…
I didn’t really love the second book in the Veiled Magic series. I just didn’t feel as connected to peter as Magnus, and found him to be a bit of a pain in the butt. It didn’t help that I wasn’t in the mood to read an ebook. But Veiled Enchantments completely redeemed this series for me. It was a fantastic ending to the trilogy and just thoroughly enjoyable. I love how it ends with this feeling of things working out, but still the potential for a lot of mayhem and nonsense in the future…
This novel redeemed the series so much for me that I actually read it entirely in one sitting. I thought that I’d open my kobo and just read a few chapters before bed. And then… a bad habit I should really stop. But how can you when the story is just this good?
I thought that Donata and Magnus were just fantastic as a couple in this story. And I loved getting to know more about his family and way of life. Not quite what I had expected from his appearances in past books… but most definitely what I needed. I love when a character surprises you like that and just takes the story to a whole other level that you weren’t expecting.
This is definitely a story that I would read again – and a series that I would also pick up again now that I know I enjoy the ending of it all…
Earth and Skye 