The nitty-gritty: A story told by a unique protagonist, Once Was Willem shines with well drawn characters, magic and found family. “Gird yourself, therefore. I speak of monsters and magic, battle and bloodletting, and the crimes of desperate men. I speak also of secret things, of that which lies beneath us and that which impends […]
The nitty-gritty: Sparkling writing, a fascinating setting and time period, and a lovely, slow burn romance make Grimm Curiosities a must read paranormal mystery. Grimm Curiosities is the perfect cozy fantasy/mystery to curl up with on a cold winter’s night. I always enjoy Sharon’s books, and her latest is an engaging historical fantasy with just […]
The nitty-gritty: A gruesome war story with surreal, ghostly elements, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is an emotional tale of a brother and sister during WWI. “Sometimes, as he walked the hotel corridors, Freddie told himself he was trying to find the door that led out, but he wasn’t. He didn’t have enough hope left […]
The nitty-gritty: Constance Sayers’ latest is a beautifully written, complex story about movies, curses, monsters and fame. “You would be wise to not run around asking about the film. It prefers to live in the shadows.” Like Constance Sayers’ other books, The Star and the Strange Moon is a complex, character-driven story that moves back […]
The nitty-gritty: I enjoyed the characters and the touches of magic, but the plot fell short and wasn’t as engaging as I had hoped. Half a Soul ended up being a mixed bag for me, unfortunately. You know how some books excite you right out of the gate? I guess I was expecting a “spark” […]
The nitty-gritty: A dark fantasy world, compelling characters a lively plot combine in this beautifully written and executed series opener. I usually hesitate when it comes to long books, as I haven’t had a very good track record finishing them. Also, as a review blogger, I want to read and review as many books as […]
The nitty-gritty: Mesmerizing storytelling, history, and magic combine in this stellar multigenerational saga. Back in 2017, I read my first Louisa Morgan book, A Secret History of Witches, and now with her latest, The Great Witch of Brittany, I feel as if I’ve come full circle. Brittany tells the story of Ursule Orchière, the character […]
The nitty-gritty: Full of charm, mystery and magic, A Marvellous Light is a delightful start to a new series. Robin thought about the string that Edwin used in his spells: how a particular cradle might have five or six or eight lines of the pattern joining one hand to another. Binding them close. Robin and […]
The nitty-gritty: A lively adventure with plenty of romance, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels lost me when it came to the unexpected fantastical elements. “You are a scoundrel,” she whispered furiously. “Yes,” he agreed. “I’m thinking of starting a Society of Gentlemen Scoundrels.” “You’re millennia too late. It already exists and is called the […]
The nitty-gritty: Malerich brings some interesting ideas to the table, but the novella format was just too short in this case, and didn’t allow for much story or character development. The Factory Witches of Lowell takes place in nineteenth century Lowell, Massachusetts (the exact date is never mentioned) during the boom in the production of […]