Tag Archives: Witches

No Rest for the Witches by Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for no rest for the witches book cover

Title: No Rest for the Witches
Author: MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren
In: No Rest for the Witches (Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Witches
Dates read: 14th July – 9th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: She thought of an even better, more relevant question.

Synopsis

From broomsticks to black magic, leather-clad warriors to love potions gone wrong, here you’ll find four stories of supernatural sex and suspense from some of today’s hottest bestselling authors.

MaryJanice Davidson – “The Majicka”
Life’s a bit crowded for Ireland and her roommates–a fairy, a werewolf, a vampire, and now a zombie…especially when a mysterious man walks through the door. Will there be any room left for love?

Lori Handeland – “Voodoo Moon”
For Devil’s Fork-based FBI Agent Dana Duran, the only way to fight a supernatural serial killer just may be to embrace life. But little did she know that voodoo could be so viciously sexy…

Cheyenne McCray – “Breath of Magic”
San Francisco’s witches are in an epic battle. But even if Sydney can use her sultry ways and ancient Druid powers to save the world, can she risk losing her heart to handsome warrior Conlan?

Christine Warren – “Any Witch Way She Can”
A desperately lonely witch decides to take matters of love into her own hands when she casts a cosmic personal ad…only to find that the perfect formula for love is a strange brew indeed.

Thoughts

This was one of those random books that I picked up in a second hand shop. I had no idea what it was about. Really what genre it belonged to, and only vaguely recognised the names of the authors who had contributed. I really just liked the name of the collection, it was a fun little pun that made me quite intrigued…

From beginning to end, this collection has women who pack an amazing punch. They’re strong, they’re powerful and they’re constantly finding themselves in a spot of trouble. All things which I thoroughly love in a good, strong protagonist. The fact that sex, lust and magic are all mixed in with each other to create some incredibly fun and often times awkward stories just makes it that much better. Mostly the sex and lust. A girls gotta get her kicks where she can…

All four of these novellas, like many other similar collections have sent me down the path of finding new beloved authors and series. They’re always a good way to escape for only a short amount of time when I have to be responsible, but long enough that I get completely sucked into a whole new world. The fact that these were all paranormal fantasy and filled with a good dose of romance just made me sink all the quicker into these stories. Definitely one that I would suggest to anybody who likes their witches with a bit of extra steam!

 <- Any Witch Way She CanThe Majicka ->

Image source: Goodreads

Any Witch Way She Can by Christine Warren

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for no rest for the witches book cover

Title: Any Witch Way She Can
Author: Christine Warren
Series: The Others #3.5
In: No Rest for the Witches (Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches
Dates read: 5th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Quinn laughed and leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek.

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Synopsis

A desperately lonely witch decides to take matters of love into her own hands when she casts a cosmic personal ad…only to find that the perfect formula for love is a strange brew indeed.

Thoughts

I was thinking just the other day that if I could, I would probably cast a spell for my sister to find her one true love. This novella made me rethink that desire. Although, it did have a happy ending… so maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea…

Most paranormal romance stories I read feature… well, the paranormal. I’ve never read one in which the thing that makes the girl special is that she isn’t paranormal. Unlike the rest of her extended family. Don’t get me wrong, there’s hints that she could have more talent than expected, but all in all, the magic-less woman is a great breath of fresh air. One that I absolutely adored and would love to read more about… although I don’t think she’ll feature so strongly in any of the other stories in this series…

Although the romance takes centre stage in this novella, the fixing of old wounds and reconnecting with a family member is a fantastic secondary story. Actually, I was more drawn in by the secondary storyline than I was by the first. After all, the first is just another romance, the secondary is about finding what you have in common with your insane family and finding a way to make things work…

<- Breath of MagicNo Rest for the Witches ->

Image source: Goodreads

Breath of Magic by Cheyenne McCray

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for no rest for the witches book cover

Title: Breath of Magic
Author: Cheyenne McCray
Series: Magic #3.5
In: No Rest for the Witches (Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Witches
Dates read: 25th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The Underworld god’s muscles bunched and flexed as he strode toward them.

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Synopsis

San Francisco’s witches are in an epic battle. But even if Sydney can use her sultry ways and ancient Druid powers to save the world, can she risk losing her heart to handsome warrior Conlan?

Thoughts

This was a great partnering off, battle the evil, and, whilst not winning the war, winning the battle kind of story. I immediately fell in love with the characters, and wanted to find out more about this amazing world that Cheyenne McCray has created. You kind of knew that the two leads would end up together at the close of the book, but that didn’t make the journey any less exciting or intriguing. Rather, I couldn’t wait to see just how they would overcome their obstacles, and it was more than a little surprising when the conclusion was finally reached.

It was really nice to have a slightly different heroine in the lead of this story. Most of the tales I read feature a woman who is completely put together and beautiful, if not more than a little manic and insane. Instead, this features a woman who has glasses and makes some incredibly silly mistakes. Ones that are performed out of pure stubbornness, but still a good place. And more than a little stupid when she looks back at them in hindsight.

Breath of Magic is one of those fun novellas that I’ll read again and again. Not just because I love the simplicity of a good romance story, but also because there is so much more going on. There is a fantastic plot that actually takes centre stage over the romance and makes you hold your breath throughout – after all, you want the good guys to win, and it’s really not a certain thing. It is one of those tales that will make you want to dive right into McCray’s writing and sink into her worlds. Or at least, that’s how I felt… and now I have to go out and buy Forbidden Magic to get my next fix…

 <- Voodoo Moon ReviewAny Witch Way She Can Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Sympathy for the Bones by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for an apple for the creature book cover

Title: Sympathy for the Bones
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Horror, Witches
Dates read: 7th May 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: All my teaching will be for naught if you keep up this way.

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Synopsis

Ruth thought she was raised by someone who loved her. But now she realises that that’s just not quite the case… and she’ll do anything to get out of this sticky situation.

Thoughts

I haven’t read many stories about voodoo or hoodoo (I know there’s a difference, I just don’t know what that difference is…). Yet, it’s something that fascinates me. Which of course immediately drew me into this short story. Especially when the lead female voice was so strong and obviously unhappy with her trainer. Unhappy with the atrocities that she is committing over and over again because the elderly woman is asking her to.

I knew that there would be a bit of blood and death in this story – after all, the title is Sympathy for the Bones. What I didn’t expect was the grave digging, the darkness and the ability of the lead female to turn this darkness to her own advantage. Though I’m not sure if she’s good and was going to walk of into the sunset and live happily ever after. Actually, it kind of felt like she was just following in her mentor’s footsteps and not really pursuing the freedom that she so dearly wished for.

 <- Academy Field Trip ReviewLow School Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

A History of Magic by J.K. Rowling

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for harry potter a history of magic book cover

Title: Harry Potter: A History of Magic
Author: J.K. Rowling & Others
Series: Harry Potter Illustrated Editions Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Illustrated, Urban fantasy, Witches
Dates read: 19th November 2018 – 2nd January 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Harry, Ron and Hermione left the castle together, crossed the vegetable patch and made for the greenhouses, where the magical plants were kept.

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Synopsis

Harry Potter: A History of Magic is the official book of the exhibition, a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between Bloomsbury, J.K. Rowling and the brilliant curators of the British Library. It promises to take readers on a fascinating journey through the subjects studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – from Alchemy and Potions classes through to Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. Each chapter showcases a treasure trove of artefacts from the British Library and other collections around the world, beside exclusive manuscripts, sketches and illustrations from the Harry Potter archive. There’s also a specially commissioned essay for each subject area by an expert, writer or cultural commentator, inspired by the contents of the exhibition – absorbing, insightful and unexpected contributions from Steve Backshall, the Reverend Richard Coles, Owen Davies, Julia Eccleshare, Roger Highfield, Steve Kloves, Lucy Mangan, Anna Pavord and Tim Peake, who offer a personal perspective on their magical theme. Readers will be able to pore over ancient spell books, amazing illuminated scrolls that reveal the secret of the Elixir of Life, vials of dragon’s blood, mandrake roots, painted centaurs and a genuine witch’s broomstick, in a book that shows J.K. Rowling’s magical inventions alongside their cultural and historical forebears. This is the ultimate gift for Harry Potter fans, curious minds, big imaginations, bibliophiles and readers around the world who missed out on the chance to see the exhibition in person.

Thoughts

I bought this because my sister wanted it and it had something to do with Harry Potter. Mostly because it had something to do with Harry Potter… I have a sickness.

And I’m really glad that I did. This was an incredibly interesting and engaging alternate look into the world-famous world created by J.K. Rowling. And as someone who couldn’t get to this great exhibit in England (you know, being that I’m in Australia and all), it was a great way to imagine really being there.

I love the intertwining of history and fantasy in anything that I read. The modern day with ancient mythologies. So the idea of a book all about these combinations and a world that I am more than a little obsessed with… it worked perfectly for my happy, geeky little brain.

 <- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ReviewThe Tales of Beedle the Bard Review ->
Image source: Bloomsbury

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the chamber of secrets limited edition illustrated book cover

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition
Author: J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay
Series: Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Illustrated, Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Completely nonplussed, Harry said nothing.

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Synopsis

Prepare to be spellbound by Jim Kay’s dazzling full-colour illustrations in this stunning new collector’s edition of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. With paint, pencil and pixels, Kay conjures the wizarding world as we have never seen it before. Breathtaking scenes, dark themes and unforgettable characters – including Dobby and Gilderoy Lockhart – await inside as Harry and his friends, now in their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, seek out a legendary chamber and the deadly secret that lies at its heart .

This beautiful, deluxe edition features an opulent page size and an exclusive pull-out double gatefold; intricate foiled line art by Jim Kay on the real cloth cover and slipcase; gilt edges on premium grade paper; head and tail bands and two ribbon markers – the ultimate must-have edition for any Potter fan, collector or bibliophile.

Thoughts

I don’t need to harp on about the beauty of the Harry Potter series – I’ve done that elsewhere, and, quite frankly – we all know. But reading the absolutely gorgeous illustrated edition of The Chamber of Secrets and having the ability to submerse myself in Kay’s beautiful reimaginings… it just added an extra level of amazingness to the entire franchise.

There was a slightly darker patina to the images in the second illustrated Harry Potter – which works, because this is a slightly darker storyline. Although, one of the things I love most about these illustrated versions is the fact that I can use them to show my partner (who doesn’t read) the beauty of the written world… much much much better than that of movies…

 <- The Philosopher’s Stone ReviewThe Prisoner of Azkaban Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling & Olivia Lomenech Gill

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for fantastic beasts illustrated limited edition book cover

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Author: J.K. Rowling & Olivia Lomenech Gill
Series: Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Illustrated, Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Many a Muggle child has been accused of vandalism when an offended Knarl was the real culprit.

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Synopsis

Famed Magizoologist Newt Scamander’s years of adventure and exploration have yielded a work of unparalleled importance, admired by scholars, devoured by young witches and wizards, and even made available to Muggles in the early years of this century. With this dazzling illustrated edition, readers can explore the magical fauna of five continents from the comfort of their own armchairs. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is essential reading at Hogwarts.

This new edition features the fully updated 2017 text includes new profiles of six magnificent beasts that inhabit North America and a new foreword by J.K. Rowling, writing as Newt Scamander.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed the first reading of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. So I was super, amazingly, ridiculously excited to read the illustrated and expanded edition. Actually, I was incredibly disappointed to finish this story. It was just so damn good.

I always enjoy companions and partners to series that I’m obsessed with. This is no different. But the amazing images by Olivia Gill… they just add an extra layer of… well… obsession to this. The images alone in this book would make me want to flick through it again and again and again. But, partnered with the realistic wording and creation of a whole new world.

This was my quiet, easy, late night read with a cup of tea. It has that sense of wonder and awe that I find with every Harry Potter book, but the illustrations add an extra sense of waboom. Incredibly disappointed that I had to finish this, and it didn’t continue on forever.

 <- The Prisoner of Azkaban ReviewA History of Magic Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for harry potter and the philosopher's stone illustrated limited edition book cover

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay
Series: Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Illustrated, Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: Illustrated Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Harry kept to his room, with his new owl for company.

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Synopsis

An utterly enchanting feast of a book, this stunning collector’s edition of the full-colour illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a volume to treasure for a lifetime. Brimming with rich detail and humour, Jim Kay’s dazzling depiction of the wizarding world and much loved characters will captivate fans and new readers alike. In oil, pastel, pencil, watercolour, pixels and a myriad of other techniques, Jim Kay has created over 115 astonishing illustrations; there really is magic on every page.

This beautiful, deluxe edition of J.K. Rowling’s timeless classic features an opulent page size and an exclusive pull-out double gatefold of Diagon Alley; intricate foiled line art by Jim Kay on the real cloth cover and slipcase; gilt edges on premium grade paper; head and tail bands and two ribbon markers – the ultimate must-have edition for any fan, collector or bibliophile.

Thoughts

I was given this last Christmas from my partner. And although I’d flicked through it, I didn’t quite get the chance to actually read this until the other night. And man are Jim Kay’s illustrations damn amazing!

I didn’t really read this word for word – I skimmed the words and let the illustrations throughout tell their own story. Letting the images wash over me as I read a passage here and there bought back all the wonder of the first reading of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. But something about somebody else’s imaginings took the story to a whole other level. One that I will be thinking about for a long time yet.

 <- The Tales of Beedle the Bard ReviewThe Chamber of Secrets Review ->
Image source: Bloomsbury

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for practical magic book cover

Title: Practical Magic
Author: Alice Hoffman
Series: Practical Magic #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect), 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Magic, Romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scribner
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: The rings around the moon are now so bright Sally’s convinced everyone in the neighbourhood will be awake before long.

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Synopsis

As children, sisters Gillian and Sally were forever outsiders in their small New England town, teased, taunted and shunned for the sense of magic that seemed to hang in the air around them. All Gillian and Sally ever wanted was to get away.

Years later, tragedy brings the sisters back together. They’ll find that no matter what else may happen, they’ll always have each other.

An enchanting tale of love, forgiveness and family, Practical Magic is one of Alice Hoffman’s best loved novels and the basis of the classic movie.

Thoughts

I literally bought this because I saw the book in a bookstore a few days after I’d watched the movie (I was on a Sandra Bullock binge-watch). Prior to seeing it, I actually had no idea that Practical Magic was even based on a book. This seems to be happening a lot to me at the moment to be fair…

Although I loved this book, I need to start this review with the fact that the book is really nothing like the movie. I was expecting a feel-good, sisterly tale that focused on the strong bond between the two. And this story does do that. But it’s also focusing on the flawed way that we as humans, sisters and family interact with each other. As someone who has a sister, I can tell you, this novel felt far more realistic and non-sugar-coated than the movie. Both are amazing, but this had a completely different flavour and tone than what I was expecting.

Other than the obvious connection between the three generations of sisters and a great, contemporary look at family ties, I really loved this style of writing. As I previously mentioned, it was nothing like I expected. And it really wasn’t anything like what I’ve experienced before. There was something completely unique about the style of writing that drew me in. A sense of darkness and doom that managed to sit within the pages, but not overbear them. Probably mostly due to the excellent use of foreshadowing that Hoffman employs. In most stories you can kind of guess something is going to go wrong (that’s generally the catalyst for the storyline, and who wants to read a story where everything goes right?). Yet, the slight sense of foreshadowing and the wording used in this makes everything all the more sinister and intense. Something that I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed.

 <- Nightbird ReviewThe Probable Future Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

WickedTitle: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Author: Gregory Maguire
Series: The Wicked Years #1
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: We should leave the luxury of Munchkinland and try ourselves in the fire of a truly needy situation.

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Synopsis

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her archnemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West – a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Thoughts

I didn’t know that the musical Wicked was based on a book. I didn’t know that the book would be so completely green. And when I found out these two facts, I bought it straight away. After all, I loved the play. And I love the colour green. And really, anything that is a little bit different and comments on the world from a point of view that isn’t what we generally think about is something that I’m going to want. I like tales that tell the story in shades of grey.

I love the message in this story. I love the way in which it comments on our own world. And I love the idea of telling a classic from another point of view, the villains. What I didn’t love was the pace of the story. The prologue completely drew me in. It was funny, pithy and threw you into the storyline. And then we went back in time. And we dealt with Elphaba’s family. And her upbringing. And then her time studying… and it just slowed right down. Not enough that I didn’t read the book, but enough that I struggled to read the book.

The fact that I struggled to read this, and it took me so long has left me with incredibly mixed feelings. On the one hand, I really liked the storyline and the message. On the other, I found it’s delivery a little bit slower and less captivating than I would like. But, I also understand why this is. Childhood histories and the growth of a character isn’t often something that can happen quickly, but it is certainly necessary to the characterisation… this is certainly a book that has left me on the fence, although it is one that will linger in my mind’s eye…

 <- Tales Told in Oz Review Son of a Witch Review ->
Image source: Amazon