The Glass Magician by Caroline Stevermer

The Glass Magician, by Caroline Stevermer

MacMillan-Tor/Forge - April 2020
Fantasy
E-book

Hrs:min /  Page count:
Awards and Honors if applic.
Thank source if applicable

* I received this digital ARC courtesy of MacMillan-Tor Forge, via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

A fun cross-genre book combining elements of YA, historical fantasy, and murder-mystery. 

Set in the New York of the early 1900's, society is divided into Solitaires - non-magical people, and Sylvestri - magical people. Thalia - a solitaire, is a successful stage magician with a popular show. Her partner is the man who cared for her and raised her after she was orphaned.

One night the act goes wrong, and she nearly dies - a sudden manifestation of magical ability is all that saved her. It turns out that she is not a solitaire after all, but a trader - a sylvestri. The arrival of these new abilities puts her in danger from Manticores - beasts who feast on uncontrolled magic and those who have it.  Around this same time that Thalia discovers her magic, her fiercest rival is killed while performing an act that the two rivals had been competing for.  The man who is her business partner and who raised her, is now accused of murder. Her only hope for survival is to learn how to control her new magical abilities before the manticores catch her; and her partner's only hope lies with Thalia, as only she can clear his name while he is jailed. 

Overall this is a good story. The characters are likable, and the mystery helped propel the reader through the story. But while Stevermer does a fairly good job of blending multiple genres into one tale, in doing so she seems to have missed shining too brightly in any single one of them. 

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: Bruja Born, by Zoraida Cordova

Bruja Born, by Zoraida Cordova

Recorded Books - 2018
Fantasy, Paranormal, YA
Brooklyn Brujas - Book 2
Audiobook
Narrated by Maria Liatis
8 Hours, 19 Minutes

The Mortiz sisters return in the second book of the Brooklyn Bruja series. A series steeped in rich Latin American Folklore.  

If you want a reminder of the first book, you can read my review of Labyrinth Lost HERE.

In the months following the events that occurred in Los Lagos, Lulu struggles to recover. She just cannot seem to regain her emotional footing.

On the way to a school sporting event, there is a catastrophic accident involving the school's bus, carrying among the  many others, Lula and her boyfriend Maks. Almost everyone on that bus was killed or seriously injured in the accident. 

Lula, though badly injured, wakes in the hospital to find that Maks is in ICU and death seems imminent. Lula, unable to let Maks go, performs a canto to take him back from death's tentative grip . Again, like in the first book, the spell goes wrong. Shortly after performing the canto, she discovers that the bodies of the dead that were involved in the crash, have gone missing from the morgue.  Her spell has gone awry and she has created a group of zombie-like creatures known as casi muertos. 

I enjoyed to story, but  not overwhelmingly so. 

It seemed to follow the same formula as the first book - spoiled sister bruja ignores the rules and tries to have things her way, putting the entire family in jeopardy when their spell goes wrong. Not a bad formula at first, but as a sequel it seems a tiny bit redundant. Of course after the events of the first book, it seems a little more reckless of Lula and makes her less likable because of it.  The one aspect that I felt seemed a little "forced" in the firsts book, I am happy to say felt much more organic in this one.  

I really do enjoy the Latin American folklore woven into the series story. That richness of culture makes the series enjoyable

Narration was provided by Maria Liatis.  At first I was a little disappointed to find that this book was not narrated by Almarie Guerra as was the first - but then it became clear that this book was being told by Lula's point of view - not Alex's, so it made sense to have a different narrator. Liatis performed with a clear, pleasant voice, good tone and cadence, and was able to portray the emotions relevant  to the events of the story. 

I have enjoyed the two books available so far in the series.  The third book in the series - Wayward witch is expected August 2020. 

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: Dreamland: A Magical Ghost Story, by Nick Clausen

Dreamland: A Magical Ghost Story, by Nick Clausen

Independent* - 2019
Fiction - YA/Paranormal
E-book
160 Pages

- I received this digital Review copy courtesy of the author - Nick Clausen, in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

    
* Nick Clausen is an author from Denmark who has traditionally published books in his native language of Danish. He is currently working on translating his works into English. 

Dreamland is an entertaining tale that satisfied my craving for ghost story. Despite being a short story, Clausen was able to create an eerie atmosphere to send a shudder down your spine. 

Twelve year old Louie lives alone with his mother. His father died when he was still a baby ,and it has been just the two of them since. His dreams had always been vivid, but lately they have been different. His dreams have become more like chapters in a book, continuing from one night to the next. He is also sleeping more and more, and becoming harder to wake. 

In his dreams he there is a man who seems to know him well. Very well. He tells Louie that he is Louie's father. Soon, the influence of this man is causing problems for Louie in his real life, and Louie is struggling to wake from his dreams. There is something sinister going on and Louie realizes too late that his dreams might actually be nightmares.

This story packs a lot into a short read.  While the book has a definite creep factor, there are other, deeper themes as well.  The grieving single mother, a boy who never really knew his father trying to make sense of his own place in the world without him. The ability of a child to miss something they never even really had, and the never ending love of parents. 

A ghastly good read. 

Happy Reading,

Christine

The Storm Crow, by Kalyn Josephson

The Storm Crow, by Kalynn Josephson

Recorded Books 2019
Fantasy - YA
Audiobook 
Narrated by Robin Miles

10 Hours, 54 Minutes

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Storm Crow is a thrilling fantasy that is a perfect example of why fantasy targeted as Ya, is worth reading even if you are far from the YA demographic

Anthia is a princess in the kingdom of Rhodaire. As the kingdom prepares for the festival in honor of the magical crows integral to the daily life in Rhodaire, Anthia is looking forward to getting her own crow and training as a crow-rider. But on the day of the festival Rhodaire is attacked by the Illucian empire. The crows are wiped out, and Anthia's mother and her much loved mentor are also killed. The physical scars inflicted on Anthia that night are nothing compared to the pain and internal scars she suffers every day afterward.

Anthia is thrown into a devastating depression.  She is further struck when her older sister Caliza - now the queen, tells her that in order to placate the war-hungry Illucian queen, and stave off further attacks, she has been forced to agree to the marriage of Anthia to the Illucian queen's son, the crown prince. 

Before Anthia leaves for Illucia, she visits the burned out royal rookery that once housed the beloved magical crows, and finds an egg - still viable and thrumming with magic! With this, Anthia and Caliza find hope to re-take their kingdom and its future from the cruel Illucian queen. But to fight back they need time. To succeed they must pull off a dangerous plan, with Anthia in the heart of enemy territory. 

There is a lot to like about this book.  A powerful female lead despite the fact she is fighting depression,  rich, multi-faceted characters and interpersonal relationships, great world building and an evil queen you just love to hate...I mean this lady could sip tea with Cersei Lannister and hold her own. 

Narration was performed by Robin Miles, and I can not imagine anyone else doing a better job.  A great voice with the acting skills to portray the many characters and powerful emotions they go through. 

While targeted to and suitable for a YA audience, The Storm Crow is a story that can be enjoyed by all who love a good fantasy. 

Book two The Crow Rider, is expected summer 2020.  Looking forward to it!

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review - The Assassination Of Brangwain Spurge, by M. T. Anderson

The Assassination Of Brangwain Spurge, by M. T. Anderson

Candlewick Press - 2018
Fantasy - Teen
Audiobook (with supplemental PDF of illustrations by Eugene Yelchin)
Narrated by Gildart Jackson

5 Hours, 58 Minutes
Finalist, National Book Awards 2018 for Young Peoples Literature

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A quirky little story that was fun!

Brangwain Spurge is an Elvin historian on a mission. Being shot by crossbow from his home in Elfin territory over the mountains and into Goblin territory, delivering a gift as a peace offering to the Goblin overlord, and oh yeah, spying on the goblins and reporting back to his Elvin leaders. No big deal - but no Elf who has ventured into Goblin territory on a diplomatic mission in the last 100 years has ever returned!

After landing the Goblin territory he becomes a guest of Werfel, a Goblin archivist. While these two should get along famously, things get lost in cultural translation, and through a series of misunderstandings and missteps they soon find themselves offended by one another. Before long, it is apparent that there are political wranglings going on that neither was aware of, and that they must find a way to work together to avoid war or even their own deaths. 

Written for a younger audience, it is a good story to foster consideration or conversation on the effect of perspective and cultural differences in relating to other individuals; but the story can easily be enjoyed by an older audience as satire, social commentary, or just a pleasant and light diversion. 

The story was performed by Gildart Jackson. Animated, with a good range of character, I couldn't imagine it being performed by anyone else. He was a perfect choice to narrate this story. 

Unfortunately, I use my Android phone to stream audiobooks, and I cannot access the PDF of the illustrations by Eugene Yelchin, but they are wonderful and I would suggest to anyone choosing to listen to the audiobook to take the time and look at them, - even if, like me, you are unable to look at them until after you have finished listening. 

An amusing story that will delight teens and adults alike.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: Sorcery Of Thorns, by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery Of Thorns, by Margaret Rogerson

Simon & Schuster - 2019
Fantasy - YA
E-book 
464 Pages

* I received this digital ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster Canada via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. This does not influence the following opinions which are my own.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A stunning example of what fantasy should be! 

Books, magic, and demons, with a strong female lead - what is not to love? While primarily marketed as YA, the book can easily be enjoyed by a more "mature" audience as well.

As an orphan, Elisabeth grew up in Summershall - one of Austermeer's Great Libraries  that house magical grimoires. Elisabeth has learned much during her years at Summershall. She has learned that sorcerers are evil. She has learned that a grimoire can drive a person mad, and one that is angered or provoked can turn into a Malefict - a monster of sorts, snapping at fingers spitting ink, and even killing, depending on how powerful it is. She has learned how defend against the powers of grimoires. She hopes to become a warden some day, charged with protecting people from grimoires, and grimoires from people.  

One day as the library sleeps, Elisabeth is the only witness to an act of sabotage that takes the life of her mentor, the director of Summershall, and releases a powerful grimoire. Now she is implicated in the crime, and needs to clear her name and save Austermeer from the evil that is threatening to be unleashed. Her only hope is with the sorcerer Nathanial Thorne  and his demon servant who is the source of his magic.

From the very first page, I was drawn in to this story and fully immersed. Highly imaginative and original, full of enchantment, and beauty, and danger, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. .  The story is intricate and engaging, but not overly complicated. A pleasure from start to finish.

This YA Fantasy is the perfect summer read for people young and old, who like a little magic in their lives.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: THE ANTIDOTE, by Shelley Sackier

THE ANTIDOTE, by Shelley Sackier

HarperCollins - 2019 
YA Fantasy

Page count: 368

Thank you HarperCollins for supplying this Digital Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I feel like I cannot begin until we discuss the cover of this book! Isn't it STUNNING?! 
If an attractive cover was the most important aspect of a book, we could stop right here.

Thankfully what lies beneath the gorgeous cover was pretty good.

In a land where magic is forbidden, a horrible plague visits Fireli - one of four kingdoms.  

Many people died in the first days of the plague before an antidote could be created, including Fee's parents, as well as the King and Queen. Of the people who survive the first days of the plague, some are evacuated to surrounding kingdoms, and some remain to maintain the kingdom during a decade of quarantine. Those who remain must take the antidote daily to ensure that the plague is eradicated. 

Among those that remain in Fireli are our three main characters; Ophelia, Savva, and Xavi. Ophelia - or Fee as she is known to most, is apprenticing under the kingdom's healer Savva. Fee has special power over plants, but must keep this power hidden as magic has been outlawed. Fee's best friend happens to be the crown prince, Xavi, who is set to marry and take his throne at the end of the quarantine. Fee, Xavi, and Xavi's brother Rye have been best of friends since before the plague, and Fee is herself betrothed to Rye, who was one of those evacuated.

Just as the quarantine is coming to an end and those evacuated are set to return, Xavi falls deathly ill. Savva, the wise old healer is unable to cure him, Fee is determined to do what it takes to save him, regardless of the costs.

I enjoyed this story, and I really like the way the characters were developed. Wise old Savva was a force to be reckoned with, and Fee was no wilting flower. Despite her young age, and slightly rebellious nature, she was mighty and heroic and brave. I always enjoy stories that show the heroines as being strong, without doing it at the expense of their male counterparts. An especially good trait in a YA novel. The story was complex enough to be interesting, but not so complicated that it was difficult to follow.  

All around, a good book.

Happy Reading,

Christine