Review: The Last Days of Magic by Mark Tompkins

This book has only recently been on my radar. It’s being market to fans of Deborah Harkness’s All Soul’s Trilogy so of course when I saw it, I was excited to read something that promises so much!

It introduces us to unforgettable characters who grapple with quests for power, human frailty, and the longing for knowledge that has been made taboo. Mark Tompkins has crafted a remarkable tale—a feat of world-building that poses astonishing and resonant answers to epic questions.

What became of magic in the world? Who needed to do away with it, and for what reasons? Drawing on myth, legend, fairy tales, and Biblical mysteries, this book imagines answers to these questions, sweeping us back to a world where humans and magical beings co-exist as they had for centuries.

Aisling, a goddess in human form, was born to rule both domains and—with her twin, Anya—unite the Celts with the powerful faeries of the Middle Kingdom. But within medieval Ireland interests are divided, and far from its shores greater forces are mustering.

Continue reading “Review: The Last Days of Magic by Mark Tompkins”

Review: The Return of the Witch (The Witch’s Daughter #2) by Paula Brackston

I’ve been a big fan of Paula Brackston…….especially her witch books!

Ironically the only book of her’s I haven’t read is The Witch’s Daughter! I have it but I just haven’t gotten around to reading it for some reason. So when this book came up for review, I was hesitant only because I haven’t read the first one. However, I was so excited to read another of her witch books that I just gave in a read this one!

So I would be lying if I said I should have read the first book before this one. There were a lot of references to things that happened in the first book, however Brackston did a great job at helping the reader navigate the story even if they missed the first book.

After five years in the Summerlands, Gideon has gained his freedom. Elizabeth knows he will go straight for Tegan, and that she must protect the girl she had come to regard as her own daughter.

Continue reading “Review: The Return of the Witch (The Witch’s Daughter #2) by Paula Brackston”

Review: A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab

This book has been all OVER my social media feed for months but especially the last few weeks with the upcoming release of the second book in the series.

So I decided on a whim to try it out. The cover is totally eye catching and the premise for the story sounds intriguing, plus I haven’t read a really good fantasy in a while so I picked this book up.

Kell is one of the last Travelers, which is a rare magician who choose a parallel universe to visit. Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered (also home of Kell), and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Lila Bard, a thief with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her ‘proper adventure’.

Continue reading “Review: A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab”

Review: Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms #4) by Morgan Rhodes

This book was one of the first books I’ve put on pre-order in a long time! I was originally only lukewarm with this series after the first book, but then things started getting really interesting in the following books!

So needless to say I was greatly anticipating the release of this novel!

The last time we were in Mytica, a lot of things were up in the air. Cleo and Magnus are in Limeros trying to figure out what to do now that Magnus has basically committed treason to save Cleo.

Felix and Jonas have parted ways and Felix is back working for the King of Blood while Jonas is fighting to stay alive and keep the rebellion going. Lucia has run off with the fire god and leaving a path of destruction in her wake. And Amara is back in Kreashia coming up with a plan to rule the world.

So basically there is a lot going on and a lot of people to catch up with in this installment. With so many characters to follow up on, for me the beginning of the novel started a little slower than expected.

Continue reading “Review: Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms #4) by Morgan Rhodes”

Review: The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials #1) by Philip Pullman

After reading Up To This Pointe earlier this month, I was dying to read something else set in the ‘north’ or in the ‘cold’.

The Golden Compass has been on my TBR shelf forever and now seemed like the perfect time to read it since it features the Northern Lights and the north pole as well as a host of other things!

Lyra Belacqua has been raised at Oxford’s, Jordan College, most of her young life. It is here that two very important people come to visit. the first is her uncle, Lord Asriel, who is an explorer and who has just returned from the north with some dangerous findings.

Lord Asriel suspects that there is an alternative universe on the Northern Lights which he believes he can access. Lord Asriel intends to venture back to the north to continue his research, immediately.

The other visitor is Mrs Coulter, who is put in charge of Lyra. Mrs Coulter is cultured, rich, and charismatic…..she too is an explorer and has a scientific operation in the north. Mrs Coulter intends to take Lyra to the north with her but not before she ‘grooms’ Lyra and gets her accustom to London society.

Continue reading “Review: The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials #1) by Philip Pullman”