The Fate of Magic (Witch and Hunter, #2) Sarah Raasch & Beth Revis

 

The Fate of Magic (Witch and Hunter, #2) 

By: Sarah Raasch & Beth Revis

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Supernatural

Length: 320 Pages

'Differences do not make enemies, except among fools,'....'But the real fools are the ones who think they know everything.'

Sarah Raasch and Beth Revis bring closure to the 'Witch and Hunter' duology in legendary fashion. Revealing Fritzi and Otto's fate as well as an understanding of what will happen with magic and the witches who reside in the Well. 'The Fate of Magic' is great storytelling interwoven with elements of historical truth and epic levels of supernatural fantasy.

Fritzi is a powerful witch. She and her cousin Liesel are the chosen champions to two of the three Goddesses. Otto was a captain of the hexenjager, an institution whose purpose it is to capture witches for persecution and death by fire at the stake. 

Otto and Liesel have fled the city of Trier and it's witch hunting hexenjager in an effort to avoid a painful, fire filled death. Under the impression that Fritzi's brother Dieter, the head of the hexenjager and a witch himself, had been captured and was headed back to Trier for trial and prosecution, Fritzi feels some relief that she can move forward peacefully with her life. As a champion she is committed to implementing an old tradition of bonding with her chosen warrior, Otto. 

Otto has always been a soldier. Having originally infiltrated the hexenjager with the intent to bring the organization down from the inside, he has no qualms with becoming Fritzi's bonded warrior. The bonding ceremony brew can be dangerous if prepared incorrectly. Otto is willing to take that risk if the ultimate result allows him to better defend Fritzi. His protection will be greatly needed. The Well and it's witches are at risk from an unseen, unknown danger. Fritzi and Otto must fight a monumental battle to save magic.

This series is filled with so many layers. It is set in medieval Germany during the time of the notorious witch trials. The many different cultural influences throughout the story are impactful; the Gauls, Roman, Germanic, and in one instance there is Egyptian and Mongolian representation. So many lessons can be gleaned across both books including a willingness to accept others regardless of their differences, whether that be with politics, religion, or personal beliefs. Such an amazing commentary for today's social climate. I especially love the message that we all have a right to chose. Raasch and Revis have made statements about religion without preaching from high on a pulpit. They have used history as their vehicle to bring an educated message to their readers. As a lover of history, a student of theology, and an avid reader of fantasy, I appreciated the story that they shared. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

'The Fate of Magic' releases October 1, 2024. 

Goodreads users - Release date is listed incorrectly on Goodreads.

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You Can Kill (Laurel Snow #4) Rebecca Zanetti

 

You Can Kill (Laurel Snow, #4) 

By: Rebecca Zanetti

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

Length: 432 Pages

'How many people have you seen in the last two weeks who have worn red shoes?' She tried to take a moment away from thinking about the murder. 'That's a game I play with the deputy director of the FBI.''Yeah, but it's a fun game.' Her stomach finally settled. ' In the last two weeks, I would say probably twenty-eight.' 'Probably?' Sometimes she liked to sound as if she was being thoughtful about something when the number just popped into her head. 'Okay. Most certainly twenty-eight.'

Because of her emotional challenges and her quirky nature, Laurel Snow should be a completely unlovable character, but she has most definitely become one of my favorite persons in fiction. Her attempts to appear 'normal' make her lovable to me.

As the FBI agent in charge of the Pacific Northwest Violent Crimes Unit, Laurel Snow has proven herself to be superior at catching serial killers. Unfortunately, her most recent capture, Jason Abbott, has escaped from prison and a new series of killings has begun. Coincidence? Most likely not. Because the first murder victim was discovered half on federal land and half on state, Laurel and her significant other, Washington Fish and Wildlife captain Huck Rivers will once agin work together to solve the most recent crime spree.

Many families consider themselves to be dysfunctional but Laurel's family dynamics make yours and mine look like your average, everyday, run of the mill family. Her father has most definitely lead a nefarious lifestyle. He hides behind his role as pastor of the community church, giving the appearance of a pillar of the Genesis Valley society. Unfortunately, Laurel has no evidence to prove his past crimes. Her sister, Abagail, is most certainly a sociopath or psychopath. With a higher intelligence than the average person, Abagail believes no one will uncover her evil deeds; she is always two steps ahead of local law enforcement. No doubt, eventually Laurel will find what she needs to put her father and sister away for their multitude of violations. I do not look forward to that day because I fear it will be the end of a series that I have grown so fond of and eagerly anticipate reading future installments.

Every single book in this series has captivated me and held me in it's thrall. 'You Can Kill' was no exception. The story is filled with a number of strong, capable, and intelligent women, both good and evil. Even knowing that Abigail is not a good person, her dysfunction and wicked ways are intriguing. I want her to be caught in the act and at the same time I am curious what she will come up with next. To see two minds of the same caliber, one for good and one for evil, pitted against one another has made for a suspenseful, dynamic, and powerful read. I have recommended this series a number of times to friends and family. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

'You Can Kill' releases October 22, 2024.

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A Song of Ash and Moonlight (The Middlemist Trilogy #2) Claire Legrand

 

A Song of Ash and Moonlight (The Middlemist Trilogy, #2) 

By: Claire Legrand

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌗 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Length: 592 Pages

**Not a stand alone. Book 2 of 3 (3 has not yet been released)**

We learned in book one, A Crown of Ivy and Glass, that a demon has pitted the Bask and Ashbourne families against one another. Both have been cursed for several generations, each generation learning to hate from their parents. The curse has become so extreme that each family has made attempts on the others lives. The point of view of book one was from the perspective of the youngest daughter in the Ashborne family, Gemma, as she worked to free her demon lover, Talon, from the clutches of the evil being known as Kilraith.

Farrin Ashbourne is a complex and complicated woman. As the oldest child, she is heir of Ivyhill, the Ashbourne family home. Because of this Farrin has had to learn to be responsible at a young age. After her mother abandoned her, her two sisters, and her father, Farrin was forced to manage the family estate while her father fell into a pit of depression and then raged from intense bouts of anger. She is a savant, with the magical talent to entertain through her ability to create beautiful music using any medium. When Farrin was a child, the Bask family attempted to kill her family by setting fire to Ivyhill. Farrin would have perished if not for the shining boy who guided her out of the fire and to safety. 

With a very precarious truce between the Ashbourne and Bask family they come to realize they must all work together to learning what is causing the Queen to become ill, the changes to the Middlemist, and bringing scary creatures to the capital. Farrin must work closely with Ryder Bask, a Wilding who has the ability to communicate with animals. When Ryder's sister goes missing his focus to bring this war to an end has only intensified. He will work with the Ashbourne's in any manner to bring his sister home.

Each installment of this series focuses on one of the Ashbourne sisters. Gemma's was the first story. It was quite a lengthy preamble, setting up the basis for the remainder of the story. Let's be honest, Gemma and Talon were very flawed characters. Both had selfish tendencies. Farrin and Ryder are selfless. Farrin had to give up her lifes desires to hold her family together when her mother physically left them and her father checked out mentally. While reading book one I was extremely excited for Farrin and Ryder's story. Farrin has so many layers, like an onion. She keeps up a solid wall to prevent herself from getting hurt. Because of this, she can come across as cold and frigid. She only allows those she wants to let in to see the true her. I was curious to better understand her. Ryder initially appeared to be the 'bad guy'. He comes across as tough and rage filled but just like Farrin, once you get to know the real him, you see he is patient, kind, giving and he is so easy to love. 

The entirety of this series when taken as one whole story can take some patience to read. It started out as a walk with book one but easily became a run in book two. There is and incredible amount of depth to the history of both the characters and the world. It takes some time to absorb all the minute details as they are presented and to really get to know and understand each characters motivation. I am very excited for Mara's point of view. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

'A Song of Ash and Moonlight' releases September 17, 2024.

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The Monstrous Kind, Lydia Gregovic

 

The Monstrous Kind

By: Lydia Gregovic

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌒 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Gothic, Historical

Length: 400 Pages

Reading Age: 12-17

**Not a stand alone story.**

'A line of iron lampposts extends along the cliff edge for as far as I can see in either direction, fires burning steadily in the lanterns that hang from each of their boughs, blazing against the approaching night. Beyond that lies the fog....The Graylands. That's what we call then-the mist-choked, uninhabitable swaths of our nation, the Smoke....'

This young adult fantasy has the very real feel of a murder mystery, horror, and historical fantasy all wrapped up into one story. The 'Monstrous Kind' tags itself as the fantasy version of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. I most certain can agree with that assessment but at the same time I would say I very much got the same feelings I did when I read both Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Stephen King's The Mist. 

Over one hundred years ago the mist came and changed the face of England forever. London was burned to the ground in an effort to kill the creatures that came with the mist. Out of the ashes, New London was built and society learned to move on only with new rules and responsibilities. The Darling family of Sussex, through many generations, have been charged with the responsibility of keeping at bay those things that go bump in the night. Also known as 'Manorborn', the Darling's have some type of genetic immunity to the beings that reside in the mist. 

Merrick and Estelle Darling both trained under their father's tutelage, learning how to maintain the lanterns and kill the zombie like monsters. Merrick had always assumed that her father would name her as the next Lord of Norland House; she assumed wrong. That title ultimately was bestowed on Estelle. In response, Merrick did the only thing she could, she moved to New London in the hopes of making a good match in marriage. This was what society expected of her. Unfortunately, shortly after her mother's death in a tragic carriage accident her father passed away. Estelle called Merrick home. 

Upon her return to Norland House, Merrick discovers that everything is not as it seems. The reasons given for her father's death doesn't make sense, her sister is acting out of character, something or someone has been messing with the perimeter of her families land, extinguishing the lanterns and allowing the creatures to attack the residents. The mist is quickly encroaching closer and closer to the manor.

The reading age for 'The Monstrous Kind' is on point. Very little romance. I would rate the story PG-13 for the horror factor alone. I found the pace of the story to be medium until about 50% and then things really began to pick up. Merrick and Estelle are not completely lovable characters. They are both flawed and understandably so. Merrick is angry because she was passed over for the Lordship and Estelle is bitter due to all the responsibilities left on her shoulders. I found Killian Brandon to be a most lovable and ideal character. He is mysterious as well as heroic, he is described as having scars but those only add to his mystic. 

Gregovic is releasing this story just in time for the Halloween spooky season and I certainly can see this being a holiday favorite. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

'The Monstrous Kind' releases September 3, 2024.

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