Tag: witches and mages

Review: Shadowspell Academy : Year of the Chameleon Book 5 by Shannon Mayer

Rating: 4.75⭐️

We’re at the penultimate book, the real villain has been identified, and the scramble is on to stay alive, find a way to stop her and save Wild , her family and friends and the world magical order as it is.

And things aren’t looking so good. 

Shannon Mayer’s storylines are flowing into one another fluidly at this point, so this is picking up where the previous book ends. 

Helped by not just her own close knit group of paranormal friends, but the ghosts of her brother and mother, Wild is desperately looking for the magical instrument or instruction to help her defeat their enemies. 

 

The author has plenty of revelations about Wild, her family, as well as the history of the school to unlock as part of this highly suspenseful, action packed, and emotional storyline. 

Wally (a fantastic character who has had tremendous character development here), Johnson, and the rest of Wild’s crew get a lot of attention from the narrative as they are separated from Wild. Each striving for the same end before they reunite. 

It’s a great story, and the characters are so amazing with their own storylines and growth. 

Of course, as everyone heads towards the final battle, it ends in a cliffhanger. 

Fantastic work. Highly recommended. 

FYI. The academy has been pretty much left behind. 

Love it. 

Buy link 

        Shadowspell Academy: Year of the Chameleon

    

Blurb 

You Don’t Choose The Academy. The Academy Chooses You.

The Shadowkiller is back.

And he is hunting me down like a dog in the streets of New York City using every tool and ally he has—including people I once trusted.

I have never been so alone in my life, and yet if I turn to my friends that puts a target on their backs too. Which means I have to keep running.

So, I do what I know, and I set myself to finding the trail of breadcrumbs that will lead me to the one who is still pulling the strings.

Frost. A Chameleon just like me. Just like the Shadowkiller. Worse, she’s seeking out my friends to pick them off, one by one. To drain their lives in order to feed hers.

To stop her, I have to find her—a task easier said than done in a city this size.

What I don’t expect to find is a truth that this world and its secrets run far deeper, and far darker than I could have ever suspected.

But is any of that going to stop me?

Not a chance.

Hijinks Ink Publishing

Publication date

March 30, 2021

Language

‎English

Print length

314 pages

Book 5 of 6

Shadowspell Academy

Review:  The House Witch (The House Witch, #1 by Delemhach

Rating: 5⭐️

When I find a new author and a series that makes me swoon as a reader, well, let me tell you, it can keep me up at night thinking about all the amazing stories in my future!

And there are many, many stories ahead of me. I’m so happy.

But first let’s talk about Delemhach’s The House Witch.  It’s a no spice , richly crafted humorous fantasy romance.  The author’s has an amazing ability to bring this fantasy kingdom to life, with all it’s meriad variety of beings , human and otherwise , pand, as we find out, very compelling problems while simultaneously creating a magical world that has such a unique and wonderful character like Finlay Ashowan in it, was incredible. I was so captivated immediately by everything that was happening. 

Fin arrives at the royal castle of the King and Queen of Daxaria. He’s the new head cook. However, he’s hiding the secret that he’s a kitchen witch, perhaps the only known one in the world. And the situation he’s coming into is a tumultuous one. A perilous political time of potential warfare, a royal beloved couple facing a heartbreaking time they’ve faced before, and hidden enemies lurking around in their shadows.

Fin is, also, a prickly personality, but one who, in every sense, fights for those who need him while trying to keep his powers hidden. 

What’s truly remarkable is this story deals with topics that require sensitivity and understanding. Women who are being harassed and targeted, miscarriages, horrific physical parental abuse, and even widespread species violence. But the author, instead of focusing on the raw material or specific details, instead uses these storylines as subtly important parts of each character‘a development or another facet of the entire story. 

And when it’s revealed, it’s as an impactful moment for the characters and readers. I can’t stress enough how fantastic this element is here. 

Not only for Fin but also for many other characters. Ones that end up being characters that the reader will hold just as close to their heart as the main characters, Fin and Annika. And Kraken the Kitchen Cat. 

This is witty, hilarious, heartbreaking, beautifully written and a fantastic read. It captures your imagination and heart. 

I’m immediately headed to book 2. Read this and follow me there. 

One of my finds of the year. 

These richly detailed covers! I love them!

Cover design by Podium Publishing

The House Witch series:

All three books of the same title!

Plus semi sequel :

The Princess of Potential series 

The Burning Witch trilogy

The Ether Witch trilogy that is due to release it’s final volume in 2026

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 3: The House Witch 

Blurb 

A heartwarming and humorous blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery featuring a witch with domestic powers and the royal household he serves . . . dinner.

When Finlay Ashowan joins the staff of the King and Queen of Daxaria, he’s an enigma. No one knows where he comes from or how he came to be where he is, which suits Fin just fine. He’s satisfied simply serving as the royal cook, keeping nosy passersby out of his kitchen, and concocting some truly uncanny meals.

But Fin’s secret identity doesn’t stay hidden for long. After all, it’s not every day a house witch and his kitten familiar, Kraken, take to meddling in imperial affairs. As his powers are gradually discovered by the court, Fin finds himself involved in a slew of intrigues: going head-to-head with knights with less-than-chivalrous intentions, helping to protect the pregnant queen, fending off the ire of the royal mage, and uncovering a spy in the castle. And that’s only the beginning—because Fin’s past is catching up with him just as his love life is getting complicated . . .

Filled with fascinating characters, courtly intrigue, political machinations, delicious cuisines, cuddly companions, magical hijinks, and will-they-won’t-they romance, The House Witch is the first in a captivating new series, guaranteed to satisfy the tastes of any reader.

  • Publisher: Podium Publishing
  • Publication date: June 21, 2022
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 474 pages
  • Book 1 of 3: The House Witch