Category: Review

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Fantasy Book Review

Becky Wright

Mage Quest by Julia Blake.

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Mage Quest, volume two in the Erinsmore Chronicles, is the perfect sequel to Erinsmore.

It has been six long years since Ruby left Erinsmore, and now she is finally back in the magical land. But Ruby is not alone; someone followed her through the portal, young Finley Smith, nephew to Ruby’s friend Mick, and the only other person who knows of the magic. Once in Erinsmore, Ruby finds that twenty years have passed for her sister Cassie, and Ruby is aunt to twins who are now coming of age. Her niece is headstrong and wilful and one day be queen. But first, she must find her Mage.

Ruby and young Finley join the ‘mage quest’, but is Finley ready for such an adventure that has only existed in fairy tales? There are heroics, battles with dark magic and an evil foe out to conquer Erinsmore.

With a cast of diverse characters, old and new, and three fabulous dragons, they travel through this story, this epic adventure that, along the way, realise that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

Fantasy is not an auto-read for me, but once again, Julia Blake swept me into the pages of this extraordinary adventure. This series is a must if you love medieval-based fantasy, Arthurian legends, dragons, and of course, we must not forget about the pirates!

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Horror Book Review

Becky Wright

THE SUM OF YOUR FLESH by the epic Beverley Lee.

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Here we follow Haven Ford, a man who arrives in a small insular village on a quest to help his friend’s brother. Rafferty Henderson is a boy persecuted for a fate laid by his ancestor. Meredith Evans is returning to her roots to unearth a childhood terror. Their lives entwine, twist, and drown in a chilling tale of secrets and bloodlines.

As ever, Beverley Lee has done it again. There is no doubt of my fandom, but this one was a surprise, even to me. Perhaps this was because I thought I knew what I would find within its page. But with each page turn, each new chapter grew a tale far darker, deeper, and more glorious than I had hoped. The characters are fleshy, complicated and authentic in a setting that feels its own personality, dark, ominous and full of hidden secrets, fear and persecution. I do not easily squirm, but I have to say there were moments of sheer terror here, so brilliantly done but utterly horrifying, with an ending that was both raw and emotional.

Beverley Lee is a master of quiet horror. It is not gratuitous but subtle and sublime. Her words slither under your skin, settle into your bones and inhabit your mind. She finds your inner nightmares and carves them into the story as if it is created just for you.

This will be a book reread; no doubt there will be those sublime lines of prose I missed the first time, and probably my favourite of the author’s standalone novels.

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Book Review

Becky Wright

A must for all Vampire fans of The Making of Gabriel Davenport series and Beguiled by Night.

CRIMSON IS THE NIGHT by Beverley Lee & Nicole Eigener

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CRIMSON IS THE NIGHT is a companion novelette to the incredible worlds created by Beverley Lee and Nicole Eigener. Here, the characters of each, Clove and the boys and Vauquelin, collide in an almost spoiler-free addition to these brilliant vampire worlds.

It’s a quick read by nature, but don’t underestimate the power of that. It’s cleverly done, allowing the reader to glimpse the vampires’ hearts, minds and desires without the distractions of extra plotlines on this one night. It certainly opens a door into a whole world of possibilities, and I sincerely hope the vampires meet again.

Brilliantly crafted, though I would suggest reading the full novels by each author first; The Making of Gabriel Davenport series by Beverley Lee and Beguiled by Night by Nicole Eigener.

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Book Review

Becky Wright

ALICE AND THE DEVIL by Steve Griffin.

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Follow Steve Griffin on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Website.

ALICE AND THE DEVIL is the 3rd book in The Ghosts of Alice series.

Here we pick up a while after the second book, although we still feel the impact and turmoil Alice feels from past events. Just when life should be giving Alice a break, some peace and rest, a young boy comes knocking…

We are surrounded by windswept moorland, a remote house, and dark stormy nights. A young boy, his ailing grandad, a stranger and an odd group of people… And the Devil. Add a macabre slice of history, the occult and buckets full of heart-stopping, seat-gripping terror, and you have a winner.

I love that these books, THE GHOSTS OF ALICE series, have everything I love in brilliantly crafted ghost stories. And, although they are all standalone books, you can certainly just pick one up and not stagger bewilderingly around wondering what’s going on. However, that said, I urge you to read them all in order; your reading experience will be enriched for it.

Such a brilliant read! Steve Griffin does it again, not that I ever doubted it, but ALICE AND THE DEVIL had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Thoroughly recommended.

Full Review on Goodreads and Bookbub.

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Book Review

Becky Wright

A WOLF SO GRIM AND MANGY by Caroline Noe

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What a joy to read! A WOLF SO GRIM AND MANGY by Caroline Noe was certainly one of the most fun and entertaining books I have read in a very long time.

An epic fantasy of a kingdom of changers – wolfs, bears, snakes and Eagles, and a regular world-weary woman from London. All cleverly woven together by the very talented Caroline Noe into one hilarious, touching and thrilling read.

The author gives us a brilliant cast and fabulous world-building, with a refreshing heroine Edi, who is definitely not your normal young and perky, perfect princess but bored, miserable and middle-aged. After receiving a regifted secret Santa present, a mysterious book, Edi finds herself marooned atop a frozen mountain in a strange land. With her reluctant, grumpy and ‘mangy’ rescuer, Curt, Edi finds her power of storytelling could be the key to sorting the strife of this waring world.

This book is utterly brilliant and completely unlike anything I have ever read. It’s well-written, funny and compelling, with danger, strife, and a refreshing romance.

Full Review of Amazon and Goodreads.