Review: The Velvet Knife

The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stevie has just been dumped and needs a diversion.  As someone who loves to solve murders … she wasn’t expecting one in the middle of an apartment complex.  She has also been tasked with learning everything she can about the Watergate Scandal.  Who can Stevie trust?  Is there a chance that David and Stevie will reunite?

The Velvet Knife is the sixth book in the Truly Devious series.  This book has been on my TBR list for almost four years, and it was definitely worth the wait.  I did find the “past” events interspersed in the story a distraction, but in the end … everything pulled together.  I am not sure if this is the final book in the series, but Johnson has left this book with a good conclusion, but also a chance for more antics from these characters.  

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Review: Ashes at the Altar

Ashes at the Altar by LaDarrion Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Malik knows that the fight is not over.  He may have trapped the evil spirit that was possessing his mother, but her power is still growing, and the Bokors have not been caught.  In addition to all of that, he is adjusting to learning who his father’s people are AND a new semester of school.  Who can Malik trust?  Will his magic be enough?

 Ashes at the Alter is the third and final book in the Blood at the Root trilogy.   This book did a good job jogging my memory in the prologue helping me remember the events that have already happened, but overall, this story was way too long.  I kept looking at my Kindle time and felt like the count wasn’t going anywhere.  I enjoyed the overarching story and was satisfied with the ending, but the final book should have been shortened to make it more concise.  

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Review: Firstborn

Firstborn by M.J. Hastings
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bryn is a firstborn soldier.  The Long Night is fast approaching, and she must kill or be exiled.  She has two siblings.  The second child has become a scholar, and the third child’s destiny is unknown.  When Bryn learns that there is a plan to kidnap the Lastborn, she can’t shake the feeling that her youngest sister is in peril.  As her search becomes more complicated, Bryn must trust those who are untrustworthy.  Can Bryn protect her siblings?  What and who does she owe her loyalty to?

Firstborn is a stand-alone fantasy novel that was a good read but won’t be great for most fantasy fans.  I found my mind wandering away from the story because the characters were not keeping me involved.  This is great for those who don’t want to invest in a long series, though.  

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Review: The Magic We Made

The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Frankie is a trained therapist with a thriving practice.  She is a firm believer that there is a scientific explanation for everything, but when her life and town are upended by “witches,” she tries to find new ones.  Ash has a knack for finding lost things.  He is hired to find a missing girl, but his knack is not working so well.  Several other witch influencers have gone missing, and Ash can’t keep his mind off his new neighbor, Frankie.  Will Frankie be able to explain all the unusual activities?  Can Ash find the missing girls?

The Magic We Made is the second book in the Witches of West Harbor series.  Although this is part of a series, this is a stand-alone book that is only enhanced by the first one.  Also, this is an adult book with adult content, but only one chapter got “steamy.”  Cabot has created a fun, witchy book that was a great escape from my day-to-day life, and I hope she has more books set in West Harbor.  

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Review: Lady of Uncanny Charms

Lady of Uncanny Charms by Charlie N. Holmberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Owein is in England and preparing to marry Lady Cora, the young lady who has become a close friend, even if most of their time together has been through letters.  Unfortunately, Queen Victoria has a plan to preserve the waning magic, and that plan does not include a marriage with Lady Cora.  Owein is now a part of the Queen’s League of Magicians and quickly learns that there are problems larger than his.  Owein has many choices …  Will he do as the Queen commands?  Will he follow his heart?  Will he commit treason?

Lady of Uncanny Charms is the fifth and final book in the Whimbrel House series.  This series was fun to read, and even though I completed each book months apart as they were released, I had no problem remembering the overarching storyline.  Holmberg has crafted characters who respond to their situations faithfully while also being unexpected.  I’m sorry to say goodbye to these characters, but the series was closed in a satisfactory manner.

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Review: Library or Lattes?

Library or Lattes? by Lila Hazell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Willa loves fall.  Not only does she love the decorations … she loves the smells and activities.  When she discovers that her aunt left her $25,000 to travel the world, she is faced with some unexpected choices.  Each chapter alternates with a different choice.  Library has Willa choosing to study for a chance to spend a year in London studying journalism.  Lattes has Willa struggling with the choice and working in a coffee shop.  Each strand comes with its own romance, too.

Library or Lattes? is a stand-alone realistic fiction story that is told with a twist.  I wanted to love this story, but there are too many incongruities.  I understand the chapters telling a different version of the story, but within a chapter, there were timing issues that added to the confusion.  Library or Lattes? was fun to read, but it will not satisfy all readers.

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Review: Anger Is Only a Shadow

Anger Is Only a Shadow by Elizabeth Acevedo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lil has found herself in juvenile detention … again.  She understands what she must do to be released from her punishment, but life seems to be getting in the way of her good choices.  Her brother was the only person who seemed to understand her, but he is away at college and appears to be dealing with issues of his own, and no one is taking his problems seriously either.  Can Lil help her brother without getting into more trouble?

Anger is Only a Shadow is a stand-alone novel with poetry interspersed.  This is a short read and will be appealing to reluctant readers, and many of the issues included will have readers seeing themselves, whether currently or in their past.  A felt the ending was satisfactory without feeling as if everything was wrapped with a bow.  A great book for all readers.

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