Review for "Heritage"

"Heritage" is the third installment in S.M. Boyce's 'Grimoire' saga








Shades of twilight encompass the cover. A man with solid black eyes pierces the viewer over the title. Beneath a darkened forest floor is broken by the beautiful bright vision of green trees and brilliant water that appears through a stone archway.
Kara Magari is still coming to grips with her heritage, a history that includes Ourea and a less than desirable ancestor. She struggles to control her powers since becoming awakened as an Isen, a soul sucking creature that people across the lands fear and hate. In the aftermath of last battle and all its failures, Braeden struggles with his place in the kingdoms and the inner demons that still torment him.

What I liked:

• Ourea is back and just as beautiful and conflicted as ever.
• Kara's character is evolving, becoming deeper and richer, losing her innocence in a progression that feels completely natural. She no longer needs to be lead and protected by everyone she comes in contact with.
• The glimpse into Kara's ancestry is beautiful evocative and incredibly scary.
• Other characters are also in the midst of a full growth spurt, coming into their own as heroes and villains.
• Kara and Braeden finally cement their relationship.

What I disliked:

• The book seemed to be shorter than its predecessors but its possible that I just devoured it that quickly.
• Even though alot of things happen that will eventually move the story along its intended route, this installment feels a little empty compared to the others.
• I for one felt a little robbed of the promised grand battle between Braeden and his father.

'Heritage' shakes up the world of Ourea. It feels like a grand chess match where the pieces are being carefully brought into play. Growth seems to be the theme throughout the book. I find it titillating that at the end of the book we know so much more about the state of the world than our hero and heroine do. At the moment 'Heritage' is available online for $4.99. The fourth installment in the saga is already in the works and set for a Summer 2014 release date, 'Illusion', and in the meantime I'll be anxiously awaiting its arrival. You can find out more about the other books in the series and the author at www.smboyce.com


5 out of 5 crowns

Recommended for fantasy lovers. It is absolutely necessary to read the first two books in the series before reading this one.







Synopsis: "Kara Magari isn't normal, even by Ourea's standards--and in a world of shape-shifters and soul stealers, that's saying something. To the royalty, she's a loose cannon. To the masses, she's a failure. But Kara's arrival in Ourea started a war, and she's going to end it.
An ancient isen named Stone takes an interest in Kara's training, and it turns out he has more answers than he originally led her to believe. In an effort to unearth a secret that might end the bloodshed, Kara instead discovers an ugly truth about her family--and how much she has in common with an infamous mass-murderer.
Braeden Drakonin has slowly rebuilt his life after the betrayal that tore it apart. His father wants him dead, and frankly, his so-called allies wouldn't mind that either. Private alliances are formed. Secrets are sold. Tension is driving the armies apart. A single battle will end this war, and it's coming. Braeden may be a prince, but it will take more than that to survive. He must take the fight to his father's door--and win."

Review for 'Roots' A Witchbound book

'Roots' is the first novel in Kelbain Noel's Witchbound series.

A full moon raises between snowy cedars on a cold starry night. A young african american woman stands with her back to the viewer wrapped in warm blue jacket and knee high boots, long coiled dreads falling down her back. Around her the peace and serenity of winter in the woods surrounds her, snowcapped boulders and a fast moving stream that defies the freeze. A sigil takes up most of the space reminded those familiar with astrology of the sign for a taurus modified only by the gigantic S in its center.
Baltimore Land is almost your typical teenager, moody and angry about moving to a new place, and shirking the traditions of her family just to make a point. But when Baltimore's missing twin brother calls her up out of the blue for a reunion things start to get alot more complicated and Baltimore learns she's anything but normal.

What I liked:

• Baltimore's relationship and devotion to her twin brother
• Joslin is a true evil witch
• The unified approach to magic via different faiths

What I disliked:

• The usage of first person pov didn't work for me, it seemed clumsy and left a lot of story in the dark
• There were several times the plot seemed to jump leaving gaping holes in the story.
• Baltimore seemed to cause more problems than she solved...ever.
• The author tries to create a love triangle. It doesn't work. Not even a little bit.
• Um...the name. Really?

'Roots' is an interesting take on when a magickal family transfers over to the plain ole magical side. The history in 'Roots' is complex and detailed but the actual current plot line is lacking in a lot of ways.  I got my copy of 'Roots' for free for the Kindle. It is however currently listed for $3.99. The second book in the series 'Sprung' is available for $4.99. You can find out more about the author and the rest of the series at www.kelbainnoel.com The site is beautiful even if the load time is a little lacking.

3 out of 5 crowns

Recommended for teen readers and those with an interest in magick related faiths in a fantasy setting.





Synopsis: "Seventeen-year-old Baltimore Land just wants to be normal, but magic has other plans.I don't consider myself a witch, that's my parents' thing. I've never really believed in magic either. Sure, I tried it a few times. Fell for the whole "magic happens" thing. But it didn't happen to me. No amount of rhyming stopped my parents from moving me halfway across the country. Not one spell stopped me from being labeled the town freak.
And worst of all, no matter how many times I begged the Universe to bring my twin back, I was ignored. Until now.
He's back all right. And in a magical bind of his own. Not the magic-won't-work-for-me kind either. In fact, it's working a little too well. Too dark. Too deep.
It turns out our entire family's magical roots run just as deep and my brother didn't end up where he is by accident. So I'm going to help him. But magic isn't really on my side. Nope. Once I finally get the craft under control, I'm expected to abandon the one person in the world who's closest to me, just to save myself."

The End is Nigh

It's the last month of the year. December. The holiday season is in full swing. Birthdays are quickly approaching, my husband's, my mother's, my father's, and my own. The tree is up. The lights are hung. The presents are wrapped. And the records are on. It's an old holiday tradition for me to get out my old vinyl records and listen to traditional Christmas music. Bing, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, all the old greats. Nothing beats listening to those old records. My only complaint is having to change them over constantly, :) .
1. Weight loss.   Well we had a little derailment on this train this past month. We were invited to Tunica with my grandparents and some other family. If you aren't familiar with it, Tunica is a casino town and there is literally nothing else to eat but buffets and vending machines, unless you want to drive 15 minutes for one of 2 fast food joints, and an everflowing fountain of FREE soda. Dear god, the copious amounts of free soda! This morning when I weighed I was  142.4. Wow 2 whole pounds. It's amazing how easy it is to screw up over just one weekend.
2. 50 Books in a year.I read and reviewed 4 books in the past month. Which brings my total to 49! 1 book left. Mwahaha!
3. Photography. One Christmas session. This wonderful couple with two dogs. On a slightly related front. I'm scaling my photography availability back to part time. I accepted a part time position with a vet's office in the town over. Last week was my first week. It's different but it's a regular paycheck.
Nothing else new to report....
Unless you're interested in how my holiday shopping is going, in which case I have to get my grandfather's, my great-aunt and her family, a little something for my bff and something for the work holiday gift exchange. Then I am done!