This was phenomenal and everything I was hoping it would be. I haven't read such a well done personified death since the book Keturah and Lord Death This was phenomenal and everything I was hoping it would be. I haven't read such a well done personified death since the book Keturah and Lord Death came out on 2006!
You've got a high stakes mystery, death (obviously), poisoning, sorrow, and the discovery of whom and what one can be within the womanly constraints of a victorian-esque era ( if you have money, of course).
The story lures you to Thorn Grove Estate after Death, who has followed Signa since her days as a babe, claims yet another of her guardians.
Signa is met with angry ghosts and a grieving family. Now, she must use her connection to death to find a way to save her cousin Blythe before it's too late, again.
Signa isn't a character our for revenge, neither is she the Nancy drew type. She simply wants to save the only family she has left. As she grows connected to her cousins Blythe and Percy, she gets more desperate to save them and the home she's making for herself at Thorn Grove.
All the while, Signa must also confront her growing attraction to Death and her interests in the powers they share.
The ending leaves us with no question that there will be a sequel. One, I cannot bare to wait another year for! Well done Adalyn Grace, well done indeed....more
This book flows so beautifully, weaving a picture of what a normal life could be if you believe in the folk. A River Enchanted mixes Tribal elements aThis book flows so beautifully, weaving a picture of what a normal life could be if you believe in the folk. A River Enchanted mixes Tribal elements and the power of just a little magic.
Jack is a bard, called back to his people after living in the mainland for many years, honey his skills as a musician. His intention is a quick visit to land he grew up in but never felt like home. Alas, there is mischief afoot. Young girls are going missing and Jack is the key to helping the next leader (and his old rival), Adera find out who is stealing the children. Jack sees now the unwelcoming east isle from an adult perspective. All is not as simple as it once seemed....more
Audiobook review The Mesmerist is a unique stand alone fantasy about a young girl who finds herself in a precarious predicament. To her surprise, AdriaAudiobook review The Mesmerist is a unique stand alone fantasy about a young girl who finds herself in a precarious predicament. To her surprise, Adriajana is but one of three mesmers left, she can manipulate those around her without lifting a finger. She has no choice but to serve the crown alongside the Prime Mesmer (a cranky, secretive man) and the enigmatic, handsome, Para Mesmer, Dragen.
As murders of the royal family take center stage, Adriajana must navigate romance, her growing powers, court secrets and a tremendous betrayal.
I really did enjoy this book. The ending was definitely a twist I was desperately hoping would go another way, and I desperately want a redemption arc for a certain character, despite knowing it's impossible. That person's story just doesn't feel finished yet.
One star off for the rushed ending. the perp's ending, reasoning...everything just didn't feel fleshed out enough. Maybe we weren't truly supposed to understand them, but it just didn't feel finished without a goating scene and a reveal or true intentions/feelings/whatever. We never truly can tell if the perp was truly at fault or be too was a victim of a far larger...entity (for lack of other words to keep it spoiler free.)
The first 3/4ths of the book was wonderfully fleshed out, and trust me when I say I couldn't put it down. Learning about Mesmer Powers was incredibly fascinating. I do wish a little more time was spent getting to know Nevena, Simeon, and Georgi. Though, this being a stand-alone, this gets a pass. There is only so much you can fit into one book and I get that.
A note on the romance - There is a romance, but it's merely a plot point foe character growth. It's a good romance in many ways that teaches Adriajana a couple lessons, but also...not a romance book. I'll leave it at that for you curious minds.
Despite knowing this is a stand-alone, I can't help but desperately hope that Luana changes her mind and we get more of the Mesmer world. The ending was left juuust open enough to allow further exploration into the characters and story....more