Tag: Magical Realism

Review: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

~ The Lit Bitch ~ Leave a comment

I picked this book up because of the delicious looking pie on the front cover. I mean seriously, that pie looks so delicious and I hoped that the story inside would be equally satisfying.

I don’t think I even stopped to read what it was about, I simply saw pie and said YES. So when I picked it up, I basically went in blind and without any real expectations other than I hoped to read it while eating pie of my own (which did happen by the way!)

This book surprised me in a number of ways, both with the author’s practiced hand and with the little hints of magic sprinkled in each page. Continue reading “Review: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber” →

Review: Secrets of the Chocolate House (Found Things #2) by Paula Brackston

~ The Lit Bitch ~ 2 Comments

Paula Brackston is a favorite author of mine. I’ve read almost all of her books and with each read, I feel like I walked away satisfied and looking forward to the next book.

She has a deft hand with magical realism and all things ‘witchy’. She is probably most known for her ‘witch’ books of which I have read almost all of them (The Silver Witch, The Midnight Witch etc) as well as a host of other works by her.

After reading the first book in this particular series, I was eager to see what direction this book took! After reading this one, I do think that readers who haven’t read the first book, The Little Shop of Found Things, should definitely read that one first before attempting this one. Continue reading “Review: Secrets of the Chocolate House (Found Things #2) by Paula Brackston” →

Review: Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel by James Markert

~ The Lit Bitch ~ 1 Comment

This was a book that I wasn’t really thinking about, until the time for me to start reading it was upon me.

For me, there was nothing that really stood out about it—not the cover, or the title, or even the description. I was beginning to wonder why I agreed to review it, but with a sigh, I had committed to reading it and thus I did.

As soon as I started reading it, I began to let me misconceptions and preconceived notions fall away, as this book indeed had a lot to recommend itself and I think that there will be a number of people that will love this book! Continue reading “Review: Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel by James Markert” →

Review: Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

~ The Lit Bitch ~ 4 Comments

When this book showed up in my inbox for review, I wasn’t entirely sure it was something I wanted to read. It sounded a little sad and on the heavy side so initially I set it to the side as a ‘probably wouldn’t review’ book.

But I wasn’t quite ready to write it off so I waited a few days to see if I might change my mind. The summary kept comping back into my mind and I kept thinking about the beautiful blue cover and interesting plot.

Eventually I decided on saying yes to this one, mostly because it sounded magical and elegant even if it was going to be a heavy, sad, tear jerker. Continue reading “Review: Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah” →

Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

~ The Lit Bitch ~ 3 Comments

I had one experience with Diane Setterfield’s novels and that was Bellman & Black way back in 2013. I wasn’t terribly impressed with the book and I was so sad because I wanted to love it so very badly. I mean it sounded right up my alley and I was reading it as my ‘scary read’ for October so I was even more disappointed in it.

At the time I wanted to read her other novel, The Thirteenth Tale, but I was just so let down that I didn’t want to risk being disappointed again. So flash forward five years…..since reading this Bellman & Black,  I have thought of her other book off and on but just haven’t gotten around to reading it.

Then I was approached to read Once Upon a River and I was actually super excited. By all accounts and descriptions, all of her books should be something that I would love. I was eager to try out another one of her books, especially because I had already heard quite the buzz happening around this book which made me excited. And let’s just say the only regret I have with this book is that I didn’t start it sooner! Continue reading “Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield” →