Fantasy – Page 4 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Andarta: Book 1 (The Ascending Veil)

Title: Andarta: Book 1 (The Ascending Veil)
Author: Leanne Staback, Sloane Kennedy
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Page Turner Books Inc.
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

When legends awake, darkness trembles.

In the pulsing heart of Seraphim City, twins Emilia and Clara Benning walk a path veiled in the shadows of myth. Raised on tales of their fierce Viking ancestors, they are unaware of the destiny awaiting them. As the modern world grinds on, unseeing, the sisters draw closer to a revelation that will ignite the ancient power slumbering within their blood.

The cruel blight of human trafficking festers in the city’s underbelly, claiming innocent lives in a relentless grip. It is a plague that yearns for a cure-a cure that only Emilia and Clara, human hosts to ancient deities Andarta and Eir – dare to provide. With the unwavering strength of the gods and the courage of warriors, they stand between the darkness and the light.

But the battle for justice demands a terrible price. In the chaos of a harrowing rescue, Clara is lost, and Emilia’s grief ignites a fury that heralds her awakening. The true powers of Andarta flare to life, a beacon of rage and retribution. As Emilia becomes the embodiment of a legend, survival hinges on her ability to harness this newfound might and confront the demons that threaten to consume her.

In the midst of battle, Andarta, her steadfast sidekick Ty, and a legion of spectral Viking forebearers converge for an epic showdown. Together, they must dismantle a vile web spun by the most depraved of minds, their every move haunted by the chilling echoes of evil.

Can they break the chains of torment and rise triumphant? Or will Emilia’s fury consume all that she has come to cherish? Will the echoes of ancient valor be enough to conquer the malice that lurks in humanity’s depths? Seek the answers within the pages of Andarta, The Ascending Veil, Book 1, where the battle for souls is timeless, and the might of legends endures.

Review:

Andarta is a fantastic start to this fantasy series. It began with multiple different storylines that seemed to be very different from each other. However, they all came together in an unconventional way. I liked that it followed the twins Emilia and Clara from their childhood to young adult age. I flew through this book, and I couldn’t put it down! I’m excited to see what happens in the next book!

Andarta: Book 1 is a great first book in this fantasy series!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: human trafficking, murder, gun violence

Have you read Andarta: Book 1? What did you think of it?

Review: Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1)

Title: Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1)
Author: Katherine Rundell, Ashley Mackenzie
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The day Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago, a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years—until now. And it’s the day he met Mal, a girl on the run who desperately needs his help.

Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.

Review:

Impossible Creatures is a great middle grade adventure. I loved the vivid world building. There is a bestiary in the back of the book which is so helpful to see what the creatures look like. I loved the illustrations throughout the book. It was nice to see the characters and story come to life in the illustrations. I’m so curious to see what will happen in the next book!

Impossible Creatures is a beautiful middle grade story!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tandem Collective for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parental figure, death of animal

Have you read Impossible Creatures? What did you think of it?

Review: The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex #3)

Title: The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex #3)
Author: Erin Sterling
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publisher: Avon
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Bowen Penhallow has always been a loner, studying dark and ancient magic on a mountaintop in Wales. He prefers it that way, but when his friend Declan—who happens to be a ghost—asks him to attend a Yuletide wedding at a grand estate deep in the Welsh countryside, Bowen reluctantly agrees.

Tamsyn Bligh is not a witch, but she makes her living off of them. As a procurer and seller of magical items, Tamsyn’s business is not always above board, but she’s been trying to fix that (mostly.) Bowen is an occasional customer—as well as the star of several of Tamsyn’s dirtiest dreams—but she’s been around enough witches to know that, as a human, getting involved with one is not the smartest idea. She’s finagled an invite to the Witchy Wedding of the Century in the hopes of finally making a score big enough to retire. Just one priceless magical artifact from Tywyll House would set her up for life.

But Tamsyn isn’t the only one sneaking about in Tywyll House, and the mix of a very strong spell combined with a wedding mishap transports Bowen and Tamsyn into Tywyll House’s past, to the Yuletide Celebration of 1957. As Bowen and Tamsyn work together to get back to the present, they must also face off with the origins of Tywyll House’s haunting, the suspicions of their fellow witches…oh, and the fact that somewhere between the mistletoe and the bonfire, they might be falling in love.

Review:

This was such a fun holiday romance! I liked that it was quite different from the first two books. This one followed the third Penhallow brother, but it was set mostly in Wales instead of Graves Glen. The first two books were set in Graves Glen and had a similar type of plot, so it made sense for this book to take a different path. It also involved time travel which is one of my favourite things to read about!

The Wedding Witch is a fun holiday magical romance!

Other books in the series:

Have you read The Wedding Witch? What did you think of it?

Review: Unicornia: Learning to Fly

Title: Unicornia: Learning to Fly
Author: Ana Punset, Diana Vicedo (illustrator)
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: December 3, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Do you believe in unicorns? School, friendship, and a certain magical beast will enchant beginning readers in this first of a series.

Welcome to Unicornia, the most wonderful place ever! Claudia is about to start her first day at the Unicornia Academy of Magic, where she’ll learn all about spells, potions, and most importantly, unicorns! But she will need to ace her first unicorn flying test at the end of the week if she hopes to advance. With the help of her new friends, will Claudia learn to ride in record time? Get ready for unicorns, glitter, and magic galore in this shimmering story of friendship and fun. Originally published in Spain, the popular series, with sweet illustrations and a simple, humorous text, is poised to charm young unicorn fans everywhere.

Review:

Claudia and her family have just moved to Unicornia, where unicorns fly in the sky. She’s excited to start her first day at Unicornia Academy of Magic where she will learn about potions and magic. However, she’s nervous about learning to ride a unicorn. Claudia must ace the flying test at the end of the week to be able to continue in the class, so her new friends join together to teach Claudia how to get comfortable riding a unicorn.

This is such a cute, illustrated chapter book. I loved that the illustrations were coloured in black, white, and pink. Claudia learned to make friends who in turn taught her how to fly a unicorn. Even though she was scared at first, Claudia faced her fear and learned how to do it.

Unicornia: Learning to Fly is a fun chapter book!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book! This book was gifted to me from @penguinrandomca as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!

Have you read Unicornia: Learning to Fly? What did you think of it?

Review: Third Shift Society, Vol. 2

Title: Third Shift Society, Vol. 2
Author: Meredith Moriarty
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Webtoon Unscrolled
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Eisner-nominated WEBTOON Third Shift Society is a story about stumbling head-first into a world of magic and mystery. Financially challenged Ellie discovers she has strong psychic powers and gets a job working for Ichabod, a paranormal detective with the head of a Jack-o-Lantern.

Life’s funny. One minute you’re jobless, deep in debt, and on the verge of eviction; the next you’re in a fight with a monster and getting a job working for a paranormal detective with the head of a Jack-o-Lantern. It’s an age-old story.

Now the clumsy but determined Ellie (who’s recently discovered she has strong psychic powers) and her pumpkin-headed boss Ichabod have to team up and fight the things that go bump in the night.

Ellie and Ichabod have some supernatural solves under their belts and Ellie has her psychic powers more (or less) under control. All they’re up against now are cryptic witches, sinister demons, and some ancient monsters hellbent on escaping their psychic prison. What could possibly go wrong?

This volume collects Season 2 of the bewitching WEBTOON comic.

Review:

Ellie, who has just discovered her supernatural powers, works with Ichabod, a man with a pumpkin head, to investigate the paranormal. Ellie must confess her dream of Alice, who left her with a real mark on her hand. Ichabod enlists the help of a witch to figure out what Alice’s plan is, while also investigating other paranormal creatures.

This was a fun second book in the series. There were a lot of fight scenes that made the story go by quickly. I love the mystery around Ichabod. There was some of his origin story in this story, but he is still secretive and a mystery. I’m excited to see where the story goes next!

Third Shift Society, Vol. 2 is a great spooky graphic novel!

Thank you Wattpad Books for providing a digital copy of this book.

Other books in the series:

Third Shift Society, Vol. 1

Have you read Third Shift Society, Vol. 2? What did you think of it?

Review: The Kiss Curse (The Ex Hex #2)

Title: The Kiss Curse (The Ex Hex #2)
Author: Erin Sterling
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publisher: Avon
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 22, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Welcome to Spooky Season!! The follow-up to Erin Sterling’s New York Times bestselling hit The Ex Hex features fan favorite Gwyn and the spine-tinglingly handsome Wells Penhallow as they battle a new band of witches and their own magical chemistry.

Gwyn Jones is perfectly happy with her life in Graves Glen. She, her mom, and her cousin have formed a new and powerful coven; she’s running a successful witchcraft shop, Something Wicked; and she’s started mentoring some of the younger witches in town. As Halloween approaches, there’s only one problem—Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow.

Wells has come to Graves Glen to re-establish his family’s connection to the town they founded as well as to make a new life for himself after years of being the dutiful son in Wales. When he opens up a shop of his own, Penhallow’s, just across the street from Something Wicked, he quickly learns he’s gotten more than he bargained for in going up against Gwyn.

When their professional competition leads to a very personal—and very hot—kiss, both Wells and Gwyn are determined to stay away from each other, convinced the kiss was just a magical fluke. But when a mysterious new coven of witches come to town and Gwyn’s powers begin fading, she and Wells must work together to figure out just what these new witches want and how to restore Gwyn’s magic before it’s too late.

Review:

Gwyn runs the successful witchy shop, Something Wicked, in her hometown of Graves Glen. The grumpy descendent of the town’s founder, Wells Penhallow, arrives in the town for a new start. Wells starts his own shop, Penhallow’s, across from Something Wicked. Gwyn wants to shut it down, but as she spends more time with Wells, she starts to fall for him. When her magic begins to fade, Gwyn and Wells must figure out what’s causing it before it’s completely gone.

Gwyn was one of my favourite characters in The Ex Hex, so I was excited to read her own story. I loved the grumpy/sunshine pair, though Gwyn could be more grumpy than sunshine at times. There were some funny moments, just like in the first book. I listened to the audiobook as well as reading the physical book, and it was really well done!

The Kiss Curse is a cute witchy rom com!

Other books in the series:

The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1)
The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex #3)

Have you read The Kiss Curse? What did you think of it?

Review: The New Enchantress (Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions #3)

Title: The New Enchantress (Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions #3)
Author: Sunayna Prasad
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Contemporary
Publisher: S.A. Prasad Publishing
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 15, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cursed by a sorcerer’s hex, Alyssa McCarthy finds herself in a fight she can’t afford to lose, or everything she knows will be lost!

After she finishes her final year of junior high, fourteen-year-old Alyssa faces an uncertain future in more ways than one when a sorcerer casts a hex that leaves her with involuntary magical powers that are too dangerous to remove.

Unable to control her newly gained abilities Alyssa’s end-of-middle-school sleepover ends in disaster when she knocks her friends unconscious when her powers go out of control. If Alyssa can’t learn to master her magic soon, she will be cursed to forget her loved ones and serve as the warlock’s slave for all of eternity.

Her only hope is to focus on controlling her emotions if she is to break the curse. However, the difficulties of adolescence, along with the perils and growing disasters she faces, make Alyssa struggle even more. From putting her friends’ lives at risk to losing their trust, she continues to fear what will become of her if she fails.

Will Alyssa be able to break the hex and become the enchantress that she was meant to be, or will she become enslaved to the sorcerer forever?

Review:

Alyssa McCarthy’s magic powers have returned with the appearance of a new villain: Boo-Champ Corey. She has a sleepover with friends that ends in her friends being attacked and stolen away, which sends Alyssa on a hunt throughout the magical world for them. Alyssa has to regain the trust of her friends while also learning how to use her new powers and defeat Boo-Champ Corey.

This is a great third book in the series. It was action packed. Alyssa had to deal with regular friendship drama that most kids face, as well as learning how to use her magical powers. The writing and storytelling really improved throughout the series. The ending was open to more books in the future so maybe there will be more books about Alyssa McCarthy.

The New Enchantress is an exciting magical middle grade novel!

Thank you Sunayna Prasad and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign.

Content warnings: death of parents (off page)

Other books in the series:

Have you read The New Enchantress? What did you think of it?

Review: Third Shift Society, Vol. 1

Title: Third Shift Society, Vol. 1
Author: Meredith Moriarty
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Webtoon Unscrolled
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Life’s funny. One minute you’re jobless, deep in debt and on the verge of eviction; the next you’re in a fight with a monster and getting a job working for a Paranormal Detective with the head of a Jack-o-Lantern. It’s an age-old story.

In one afternoon, Ellie discovers that monsters are real, she has latent psychic powers, and a well dressed man with a pumpkin for a head wants her to be his partner. It’s a lot to take in. Now the clumsy but determined Ellie and her Pumpkin-headed boss Ichabod have to team up and fight the things that go bump in the night.

Before she can say “boo,” Ellie finds herself tangled up in a magical world where monsters are real, demons tend bar, and psychic conversations take place in a super unsettling mystical void. And there are even more dangerous forces at work, just out of sight.

This volume collects Season 1 of the bewitching WEBTOON comic Third Shift Society .

Review:

After suddenly losing her job, Ellie discovers that paranormal creatures are real and she has magic powers. She meets Icabod, a man with a pumpkin head, who invites her to work with him as a detective at Third Shift Society. They must fight paranormal creatures to make the world a safer place.

This is such a fun graphic novel! I loved the way paranormal creatures were hiding in plain sight in the world of this story. I was surprised that people didn’t have a stronger response to seeing Icabod with a pumpkin head, but he was so charming, it was easy to forget that he didn’t look like a human.

Third Shift Society, Vol. 1 is a fun start to this graphic novel series!

Other books in the series:

Third Shift Society, Vol. 2

Have you read Third Shift Society, Vol. 2? What did you think of it?

Review: The Sea Train Chronicles: The Call of the Waves

Title: The Sea Train Chronicles: The Call of the Waves
Author: Darian Storm
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Parker Publishers
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Release Date: August 22, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Every life is a unique tapestry woven from countless threads of experiences, challenges, and triumphs. I am an immigrant from a small island in the Caribbean who took on the challenges of adapting to a new way of life, culture, and lifestyle, all while dreaming of the past. As I sat down to write this story, I was reminded of the moments that have shaped who I am today-the ocean, adventure, and friendships. From the laughter and love of my childhood friends, family, and kids, to the trials and discoveries of my adult years, each chapter of my life has contributed to the person I have become. In these pages, I invite you to walk with me through the pivotal moments, the lessons learned, and the dreams pursued, reflected in the story that the main characters live and endure as they search for the Sea Train. Welcome to the journey. I hope that all of you get to have some fun.

Review:

Four teenage cousins and friends embark on a journey out of their village and find a coded map. It takes them a couple of years to decipher what it means, but they eventually learn that it is a map to the Sea Train. Each of the kids have different skills which they use on their epic journey.

This book began with detailed world building. There was everything from the locations in the town to the festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. I appreciated the attention to detail that the author put in to build this world. These details formed the foundation for the exciting journey that the main characters went on.

The Sea Train Chronicles: The Call of the Waves is a great middle grade fantasy!

Thank you Darian Storm and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign.

Have you read The Sea Train Chronicles: The Call of the Waves? What did you think of it?

Review: A Curse of Mayhem (Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions #2)

Title: Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions #2)
Author: Sunayna Prasad
Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publisher: Independent
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Release Date: February 15, 2020
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

History, like magic, has a habit of repeating itself.

It’s been six months since thirteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy left magic behind for good. Or so she thought…

Then the enchanted objects that protected her disappear. Now a skeleton named Errol has cursed her with magical powers that keep getting her in trouble. Suddenly strange things are happening with disastrous effects, and if Alyssa can’t remove the magic, she will lose everything she holds dear.

In order to get rid of her unwanted wizardry, Alyssa will have to boost her bravery and confidence and determine who Errol really is. But every time Alyssa uses an enchantment, Errol is one step closer to getting his flesh back and becoming alive, and he will do anything to achieve his goals…even if it means destroying Alyssa’s happiness.

Review:

Alyssa McCarthy has left magic behind since moving in with her godfather, Alex. When the magical items that had been left in her care disappear, Alyssa discovers that she now has magic powers. However, she can’t control them, so she gets in trouble at home and school for using magic. Every time Alyssa uses her magic, an evil skeleton named Errol gets one step closer to getting his body back, so she must quickly figure out how to get rid of her powers.

This is a great sequel in the Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions series. This story was quite different from the first one. Alyssa had new friends in this book, because she had moved from New Jersey to Chicago. I liked that this introduced new characters to help Alyssa on her mission.

A Curse of Mayhem is a great middle grade fantasy!

Thank you Sunayna Prasad and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign.

Content warnings: death of parents (off page)

Other books in the series:

The Frights of Fiji (Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions #1)
The New Enchantress (Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions #3)

Have you read A Curse of Mayhem? What did you think of it?