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We Hunt The Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1)
We Hunt The Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1)
Hafsah Faizal | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
7.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the first book in a planned duology, and I NEED THE SECOND ONE RIGHT NOW. Zafira is a firecracker, and Nasir is a precious gumdrop, and Altair is a mystery, while I can't help but read Kifah as Valkyrie from Avengers. (Seriously, if this ever gets made into a movie and Tessa Thompson DOESN'T get cast as Kifah, I'll be upset.)

These characters, and this setting, and this worldbuilding, and this plot...Faizal has blown me away with this book. There are twists I saw coming, and some I did not, so I'm not going to go into much detail about the plot, but Zafira and a few other people are searching for a magical artifact to restore magic to their kingdom, after it was locked away many years ago. I don't remember exactly how long it's been; Zafira can't remember having magic, but she does mention at one point that her mother was a healer. So sometime during her mother's lifetime? The kingdom has been cursed in the absence of magic, different curses for the different districts, and the Arz is a magical forest encroaching on the borders. Almost no one who goes into the Arz ever comes out again, so it's incredibly dangerous for anyone who isn't Zafira. Zafira has the unique ability to always know which direction she needs to go to reach her goal, and it's this ability that brings her to the attention of the Silver Witch, who sets her on the path to find the artifact. The artifact is, of course, on the enchanted island that serves as a prison for all the magical objects and creatures, so Zafira and her companions face all kinds of unknown dangers.

I really enjoyed basically everything about this book. There was character development, a touch of romance, a team learning to work as a team, secrets, magic, ancient evils, trauma and emotional work...just a lot. (Also enemies-to-lovers, if you're into that.) It is a brilliant epic fantasy, and I cannot WAIT for the second book. I need to know what happens! (It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, exactly, but things are definitely NOT. RESOLVED.)

You can find all my reviews and more at http://goddessinthestacks.com
  
Stir Until Petrified (Violetta Massoni #1)
Stir Until Petrified (Violetta Massoni #1)
Theda Valle | 2020 | Paranormal
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
165 of 200
Kindle
Stir until petrified ( A Violetta Massoni book 1)
By Theda Vallee

Welcome to beautiful Palermo Bay, where the witches are fierce

...and the biscotti is to die for.

Violetta "Etta" Massoni is an Italian witch living and working with her overbearing family in the sleepy seaside town of Palermo Bay. Healing from tragedy, she wants nothing to do with the magic she was born with.

Etta soon finds herself forced into the world of magic that she had resisted for so long. The peaceful calm of her community is shattered by a string of attacks that leaves fifteen people trapped in their dreams. An ominous magic task force is sent to investigate, with Etta as their number one suspect.

Her family has never been able to mind their own business, and they aren’t about to start now! Dragging her grandmother from crime scenes will be the least of her worries. Join Etta and the whole Massoni girl gang on a perilous, hilarious adventure filled with magic, myth, and minestrone!


After waiting for so long I finally got round to reading this! Oh my god! I don’t remember the last time I gave a 5* and enjoyed a book so much! I laughed I adore Etta and her family! It was packed with wit and so well written! The last character I loved this much was Charley Davidson from Darynda Jones’s books! I also learnt what a Benandanti was and that in this book I’d be expecting a knock at the door on his 10th birthday. Also my favourite quote which had me laughing out loud!


“Where am I supposed to sit?” I eyed the motorcycle’s seat, trying to calculate how much butt room there was. He handed me a helmet, pointing to the back of the bike. “You sit behind me. It’s called the bitch seat.” “Does that make where you’re sitting the prick perch?” I asked, climbing on behind him. As I’d feared, sitting made my shorts move so far up my nether region, I was positive we’d need a search and rescue team to get them out later.

I really can’t wait to read the next book!
  
The Librarians  - Season 1
The Librarians - Season 1
2014 | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Cast chemistry, fantastic adventures, narrative (0 more)
Some effects are off as it is a first season cable show (0 more)
A gem of a find
After watching The Librarians, I have a love for the magical fantasy show. Revolving around the secret actions of the Librarian to collect and protect magic artifacts from the common population. Most people don't know that magic even exists.

When the Library becomes threatened, the current Librarian and his new guardian must rescue some past candidates as well as save the Library itself.


The show is a blast, the team heads out to so many awesome places and whole yes, some of the effects are bit stretched, they do an admirable job for a first season cable show.


There's many a cameo to be had in the show as, including past cast mates from Leverage, the show main star Christian Kane was on. Look for cult icon Bruce Campbell in a great role.


I have binged all three seasons on Hulu and am trying to blaze thru the current season 4 now. Go watch folks!
  
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Dana (24 KP) rated Bone Gap in Books

Mar 23, 2018  
Bone Gap
Bone Gap
Laura Ruby | 2017 | Children
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a strange book. But sometimes, strange is good. Different draws you in. And that is exactly what this book did. I read this book in one day, something I haven't really done in a while which speaks to it's ability to catch and keep my attention.

This is a book about love and magic, but not in the way you may think. The characters are all dealing with the stress of the disappearance of Roza, a mysterious woman who just showed up one day. They are all dealing with it in their own way, but are still struggling, most of the time separately.

I loved the magic in this book. It was very dark and mysterious and dangerous, but it wasn't overly mystical. It felt real and just so freaking great.

I am excited by Ruby's writing. I want to find more she has written to be able to get a feel for her writing style because it's something I admire!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
  
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Gail (4 KP) rated Awaken in Books

Jun 4, 2018  
A
Awaken
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was definitely unique in it’s plot line and characters. It gave you a little bit of everything. From biblical stories to fairytale magic you wont be disappointed with this read.
Sophia thought she was a normal 20 year old. What she wasn’t expecting was to be attacked by weird creatures. To have her family and friends threatened and hurt. I loved her hair. If I could I would rock that style.
This book was pure magic with the plot. The way the author weaved her own world around things we learn in bible school. The growth of her characters was perfect. Sophia went from following everyone’s word to standing her ground and voicing her opinions.
The plot twist at the end had me like WTF!!! I dislike cliffhangers but I am excited that the story isn’t over. I just hope this is just two books and not four. I don’t think I can take the wait. One thing I dislike was the long winded paragraphs and scenes that could've been shortened or cut out.
  
The Floating Light Bulb
The Floating Light Bulb
John Gaspard | 2018 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Eli Finds Himself Creating Magic and Stalking a Killer at the Mall of America
Magician Eli Marks and his uncle Harry are taking in a magic act at the Mall of America since the magician is a former student of Harry’s. The show is lackluster at best, but it gets worse when the magician misses a cue at the end of the show. It turns out that’s because the magician is dead, and soon Eli finds himself taking his place in an effort to help find the killer. Will he learn anything useful?

Part of this book finds Eli learning a new trick and interacting with his new co-workers, something that I felt overwhelmed the mystery at times. Things were still sprinkled in that helped lead us to the surprising and satisfying conclusion, however. And I loved seeing Eli interacting with his new co-workers, so I had fun the entire way through the book. The cast of characters is fantastic as always, including getting to see some regulars who were missing in the previous book.
  
Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace #1)
Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace #1)
Keri Arthur | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In a world where magic and science sit side by side, and powerful witches are considered necessary aides for all governments, Lizzie Grace is something of an outlier. Though born into one the most powerful blue blood witch families, she wants nothing to do with either her past or her magic.

But when she and Belle, her human familiar and best friend, open a small cafe in the Faelan werewolf reservation, she quickly finds herself enmeshed in the hunt for a vampire intent on wreaking bloody havoc. It’s a hunt that soon becomes personal, and one that is going to take all her skills to survive–that’s if the werewolves, who hate all things witch, don’t get her first.

I love Keri Arthur and have read almost everything she has written this is a reread for me as I needed to refresh myself for the second book. It did not disappoint full of action and pent up sexual frustration between characters. I love the fact she has Belle her human familiar . Recommended.