FORBIDDEN MAGIC
Forbidden Magic by Stephanie Foxe
Book 4 in the Witch’s Bite series
Narrated by Laurel Schroeder
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook
About Forbidden Magic:
Join Olivia Carter one last time in the final installment of the Witch’s Bite series.
Loyalties tested. Prophecies fulfilled. And magic’s final price.
After being kidnapped, shot at, blown up, and barely escaping a collapsing building…I’m done following orders; and the threats don’t scare me anymore.
My trust in Reilly has grown since the attack on the Summit and meeting his clan. But when he suggests the unthinkable, I realize I must find my own way to kill this God.
Source: Info in the About Forbidden Magic was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39809577-forbidden-magic on 24/10/2019.
My Thoughts:
Like all the books in this series, this one is also short and sweet with 252 pages long. This is the finale of the series and I liked it! However it was not the big bang that I expected. That may only be because my expectation bar was a little higher than it ought to be. My bad! Furthermore, the ending although not a cliffhanger, but also hints of possibilities that there might be more stories coming of the Olivia Carter world. And like the previous book, I read this ebook more than I listened to it. Still not a fan of Laurel Schroeder‘s singsong reading. At the end of it, I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to all urban fantasy readers! However, to get here, you need to read the previous books in the series!
Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = 5
Plot = 3.5
Narration = (N/A)
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries
Books In The Witch’s Bite Series:
About Stephanie Foxe:
Stephanie Foxe was born and raised near Houston, TX. She grew up playing in the pond and woods in her backyard, and devouring every book she could get her hands on.
Her teen years were spent transitioning slowly from reader, to writer. She spent most evenings on the phone with her cousin writing the first few pages to many books that would never be finished.
Her adult years were spent toiling away at a corporate job until one fateful day when she heard about a little writing project called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). From there, the idea of writing a book went from a fanciful dream to a finished manuscript. The first book in the Witch’s Bite series was written, and Stephanie was addicted.
Now, she has plans to publish everything from paranormal fantasy to science fiction.
One book at a time.
Join the Newsletter to be kept updated on any new releases. Sign up today to receive Unsteady Magic, the short story prequel to the Witch’s Bite series, for free!
About Laurel Schroeder:
Laurel Schroeder is a classically trained actor who received her MFA in acting from the University of Houston. She’s narrated over 100 audiobooks, and although her genres vary widely, she’s particularly fond of narrating young adult and mystery novels. When not in the booth working on her latest project, she can sometimes be seen in film or on stage, most recently in the world premiere of Good for Otto, by Tony Award–winning playwright David Rabe. A Colorado native, she now lives in Chicago with her boyfriend and their dog, the cutest little troublemaker you ever did see.
The different formats of this book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.
THE ELEVENTH HOUR
The Eleventh Hour by Mark Hayden
Book 3 in The King’s Watch series
Narrated by Ciaran Saward
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook
Another Day, Another Scar…
Conrad needs a rest, and so does Vicky, his partner in fighting magickal crimes. The universe has other ideas.
Conrad had planned the perfect weekend in the English Lake District – tie up some loose ends before spending the night with his girlfriend. Simple. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything is the answer. An innocent man is murdered to cover up magickal misdeeds, and before they can draw breath, Conrad and Vicky are on the trail of a Mage who hides behind dark magick to kill at a distance.
In the third book of Mark Hayden’s highly praised King’s Watch sequence, Conrad and Vicky have to unlock doors and penetrate the ancient families of the Lakeland Particular to unmask a killer with an agenda of vengeance who doesn’t care who dies on the way.
Source: Info in the About The Eleventh Hour was taken from Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41036780-the-eleventh-hour on 02/06/2022.
When I bought this book I was thinking, “what the fluff is that duck doing in the cover art?!?”… it made sense in the end.
What I wanted to know is, what did His Worship left Conrad? Other than the Badge of Office itself. There were a few things in that chip… Yeah, curiousity killed the cat. Good thing I am not a cat! That was not answered in this book though, but I am hoping that it will be in subsequent books.
Tounela quillIf it was Lt. Eve Dallas of the In Death series by JD Robb, Augusta would be charged with accessory to murder. I know the Cloister Court is the magickal court and their rules could be different. But, howay, man! Augusta and everybody involved in the killing is not “did not do anything wrong”!
As usual, the story telling quality is superb! Not as much holes in the plot this time! Kudos to the author! And that I am now a firm rabid fan!
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 4
Cover art = 3
Pace = (11 hours and 25 minutes listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4.5
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries
About Mark Hayden:
Mark Hayden is the nom de guerre of Adrian Attwood. He lives in Westmorland with his wife, Anne.
Adrian has had a varied career working for a brewery, teaching English and being the Town Clerk in Carnforth. He is now a part-time writer and part-time assistant in Anne’s craft projects.
He is also proud to be the Mad Unky to his Great Nieces & Great Nephew.
His current writing project is the King’s Watch series of urban fantasy novels, from 13th Witch all the way down to Zero Hour. If he can keep it up.
I’m a London-based voiceover artist who loves discovering new things.
From small businesses and indie video games, to big publishers like William Collins and big authors like Wilbur Smith, I’ve worked with a range of clients to get their stories heard.
If you need a flexible & enthusiastic voice to bring your project to life, you’ve come to the right place.
Please have a listen to my voicereels, read some testimonials and see how I could help you!
No money received for this review.
CURSED FAE
She’s got green skin, twisted tusks, and a ferocious love of canned pineapple. And her high-stakes day job just landed her a do-or-die mission…
Pepper Sterling relies on her gifts to hide and stay safe. Born with the ability to manipulate stone with ease and disappear at will, the young troll left her unwelcoming clan and found work running messages between Earth and Faerie. But after fleeing a nasty band of elves who slapped a slave rune on her arm, she’s left with a broken wrist and a testily ungrateful tiger-shifter guest in her hidden lair.
Confused by powers that are inexplicably growing after the confrontation, she’s stunned when the snarly cat accuses her of illegal magic use and knocks her out with a spell. With rising tensions attracting the attention of the Lord of Winter and news of a dryad in danger only Pepper can rescue, she’s staggered by a shocking revelation about her true nature…
Will she have to confront Death himself to save the day?
Love to see Forrest again!! It’s like meeting a long lost friend! Character development? Can never go lower than 4! Having said that, I was not impressed with Pepper trying to face up to the bad guys and then let them beat her again just so that her tiger can save her again. I’m sorry, but, that is lame… However, the story telling quality is so wonderful that this book whizzed by.
On the first round of reading before the audiobook was released, I tried to read the ebook as slowly as possible and savour it as long as I could. But it still went too fast for me!
I am an old fan of this author and this series and can’t wait for Cursed Dragon!
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 5
Plot = 4
About Brogan Thomas:
Brogan lives in Ireland with her husband and their eleven furry children: five furry minions of darkness (aka the cats), four hellhounds (the dogs), and two traditional unicorns (fat, hairy Irish cobs).
In 2019 she decided to embrace her craziness by writing about the imaginary people that live in her head. Her first love is her number-one favourite furry child Bob the cob, then reading. When not reading or writing, she can be found knee-deep in horse poo and fur while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
The ebook and audiobook copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.
RANDOM IN DEATH
Book 58 in the In Death series
Narrated by Susan Ericksen
Genre: sci-fi crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook
In the new crime thriller from #1 New York Times-bestselling J.D. Robb, a small and easily concealed weapon wreaks havoc, and the killer is just a face in the crowd.
Jenna’s parents had finally given in, and there she was, at a New York club with her best friends, watching the legendary band Avenue A, carrying her demo in hopes of slipping it to the guitarist, Jake Kincade. Then, from the stage, Jake catches her eye, and smiles. It’s the best night of her life.
It’s the last night of her life.Minutes later, Jake’s in the alley getting some fresh air, and the girl from the dance floor comes stumbling out, sick and confused and deathly pale. He tries to help, but it’s no use. He doesn’t know that someone in the crowd has jabbed her with a needle — and when his girlfriend Nadine arrives, she knows the only thing left to do for the girl is call her friend, Lieutenant Eve Dallas.
After everyone on the scene is interviewed, lab results show a toxic mix of substances in the victim’s body — and for an extra touch of viciousness, the needle was teeming with infectious agents. Dallas searches for a pattern: Had any boys been harassing Jenna? Was she engaging in risky behavior or caught up in something shady? But there are no obvious clues why this levelheaded sixteen-year-old, passionate about her music, would be targeted.
And that worries Dallas. Because if Jenna wasn’t targeted, if she was just the random, unlucky victim of a madman consumed by hatred, there are likely more deaths to come.
Wonderful to see Bella again!
I like the way this investigation came together. Bits and pieces of clues from different threads of the investigation came together to provide information to the investigating team that enabled Lt Dallas and her team get the bad guys. Although it is still Lt Eve Dallas who cracked the case. This time around at least the information gathering was a team effort. I like that better than it is just Dallas and Dallas alone who got the killer. Kudos to this book!
As usual Susan Ericksen did a wonderful job of narrating this book!
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (13 hrs and 6 mins listening time)
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 5
J.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Forgotten in Death (St. Martin’s Press, September 2021) is the 53rd entry in the series.
Susan Ericksen is a Renaissance woman. In addition to being an Earphones-winning audiobook narrator and director — she’s a writer, an amateur linguist, an actress, a mother, and a wife. In the 1980s she joined former classmate David Colacci in western Michigan, where he was artistic director for the Hope Summer Repertory Theater. Twenty miles away, a fledgling audiobook publisher called Brilliance was looking for narrators.
Susan has recorded around two hundred audiobooks for Brilliance, BBC Audiobooks, Tantor, and Hachette. “It was a natural step. As repertory theater actors, the whole point is to be able to do Shakespeare one night, a musical the next night, and Noel Coward the next. So you have multiple personalities and multiple character voices and physicalities. These are such valuable skills for doing audiobooks.”
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.
THE LORD OF STARIEL
Book 1 in the Stariel series
Narrated by Finty Williams
Genre: victorian fantasy / steampunk
Format: ebook & audiobook
The Lord of Stariel is dead. Long live the Lord of Stariel. Whoever that is.
Everyone knows who the magical estate will choose for its next ruler. Or do they?
Will it be the lord’s eldest son, who he despised?
His favourite nephew, with the strongest magical land-sense?
His scandalous daughter, who ran away from home years ago to study illusion?
Hetta knows it won’t be her, and she’s glad of it. Returning home for her father’s funeral, all Hetta has to do is survive the family drama and avoid entanglements with irritatingly attractive local men until the Choosing. Then she can leave.
But whoever Stariel chooses will have bigger problems than eccentric relatives to deal with. Winged, beautifully deadly problems. For the first time in centuries, the fae are returning to the Mortal Realm, and only the Lord of Stariel can keep the estate safe.
The premise of a sentient land is very appealing to my fantasy geek self, thus this book got read!
This is my first A.J. Lancaster read and this author sure knows how to weave a story!
I’ve read a lot of fantasy books. Epic fantasies. Urban fantasy. Paranormal thrillers. And most of them have little to no plots. Especially the urban fantasy genre. However, this book not only have a plot, it is actually twisty enough to rival a crime fiction! Now, how is that for plot building in this genre!
I was impressed!
This is my first Finty Williams audiobook. She has the same deep voice as Lorelei King. I prefer softer voices like that of Therese Plummer. However, one cannot deny the fact that Finty has talent. Does not read with a singsong. And gives the lines just enough inflection to bring the story to life!
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending =
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (10 hrs and 46 mins listening time)
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 5
Growing up in rural New Zealand, AJ Lancaster escaped chores by hiding up trees reading books. AJ wrote in the same way as breathing—constantly and without thinking much of it — so it took many years and accumulating a pile of manuscripts to connect this activity to ‘being a writer’. Along the way, AJ collected a degree in science, worked in environmental planning, and became an editor.
Now ensconced in a house with two cats and a wide variety of houseplants, AJ writes and indie publishes romantic, whimsical fantasy books. The Lord of Stariel is the first novel in the now-complete Stariel Quartet.
In 2021, AJ Lancaster received the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent, New Zealand’s preeminent awards for science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Finty Williams was born in London in 1972, the daughter of actors Judi Dench and Michael Williams. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has appeared in many British films and theatre productions. She is the lead voice for the animated children’s series Angelina Ballerina, and has narrated a number of audiobooks.
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.
THE PUPPET MAKER
Book 1 in the Detective Alana Mack series
Narrated by Michele Moran
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook
The scrap of paper looked as if it had been torn from a diary. The words written in faint pencil. The letters rounded, almost childlike. “Please look after her. Her life and mine depend on you not trying to find me.”
When Detective Alana Mack arrives at Clonabee police station, in a small Irish seaside town on the outskirts of Dublin, she doesn’t expect to find a distressed two-year-old girl sobbing on the floor. Abandoned in a local supermarket, the child tells them her name is Casey. All Alana and her team have to go on is a crumpled note begging for someone to look after the little girl. This mother doesn’t want to be found.
Still recovering from a terrible accident that has left Alana navigating a new life as a wheelchair user, Alana finds herself suddenly responsible for Casey while trying to track down the missing mother and solve another missing person’s case… a retired newsagent who has seemingly vanished from his home. Forced to ask her ex-husband and child psychiatrist Colm for help, through Forensic Art Therapy, Alana discovers that whatever darkness lies behind the black windows in Casey’s crayon drawing, the little girl was terrified of the house she lived in.
Then a bag of human remains is found in a bin, and a chilling link is made — the DNA matches Casey’s. Alana and her team must find the body and make the connection with the missing newsagent fast if she is to prevent another life from being taken. But with someone in her department leaking confidential details of the investigation to the media, can Alana set aside her emotional involvement in this case and find Casey’s mother and the killer before it’s too late?
I’m glad I bumped into Jenny O’Brien. I would read her again. Unfortunately, book two is not coming out until next year
This is my first crime fiction where we have a paraplegic detective as the main protagonist. Interesting to see how the detective would manage an investigation with a huge obstacle in her way. She can’t just walk up and chase bad guys anymore…
My question is, what ended her marriage?…
Another thing, the editor needs to be told that “balance” is not spelled “bAlance”.
Funnily enough, reading this book feels like reading one of Lt. Eve Dallas‘ books by JD Robb. I wonder why that is?…
This is my first Michele Moran listen and I would buy her again.
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 5
Pace = (9 hrs and 1 min listening time)
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 5
I took up writing about fifteen years ago when I first came up with a plot for a book, and I haven’t stopped since. When I’m not writing, I’m ferrying around 3 teenagers or working as a nurse. I’m also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
I write what I love to read, which is romance and thrillers. My children’s books will hopefully be of some use, particularly Boy Brainy which is perma-free and written to raise self-esteem.
Actress. Singer. Mocap. Audiobooks. Performance artist. VO artist. Well rounded Goddess. Tall, very tall.
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.
SAPPHIRE FLAMES
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews
Book 4 of the Hidden Legacy series
Narrated by Emily Rankin
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook 
About Sapphire Flames:
In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.
But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.
To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House — and her heart.
Source: Info in the About Sapphire Flames was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41088576-sapphire-flames on 18/07/2019.
Buy Link(s):
My Thoughts:
Catalina‘s story was started with Diamond Fire, so everything I have to say about Sapphire Flames was already said then. In this book we explore more into her character and the romance between her and Alessandro Sagredo. And of course, it has to be complicated… I it takes three books before these two gets to be together just like Nevada‘s story. I don’t mind because Ilona Andrews usually makes it worth it. I also liked the fact that I get to read about Zeus again! Darn! That cat has a way of wriggling his way into your heart!
Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (12 hrs and 32 mins)
Plot = 5
Narration = 4.5
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries
Hidden Legacy Books:
The different formats of this book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.
CURSED WOLF
Book 1 in the Creatures of the Otherworld series
Narrated by Poppy Royana
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook
Loathed by those who should love her, can one fierce woman discover the secrets of her unique blood in time to be her own rescuer?
Forrest Hesketh desperately clings to humanity. Trapped in an infuriatingly inept wolf form since she was nine years old, the traumatised girl’s hope of regaining her ability to shift is slowly fading. But as her abusive pack plots to kill her, her desperate act to help her kind stepbrother finally triggers the broken young woman’s transformation.
Stunned that suddenly everyone wants her after fourteen years of horrific treatment, Forrest struggles to relearn basic skills while dodging kidnappers and assassins. And with a powerful shifter councilman determined to claim her as a mate, even the protection of a gorgeous dragon can’t guarantee her safety.
With monsters closing in, will Forrest’s undaunted courage be enough to keep her alive?
This is my first Brogan Thomas book and I am so very glad that I stumbled into her! I like her author’s voice! The sassy sarcasm and the way she weaves a wonderful world and her characters are loveable! Though the plot has tiny little holes in them and kinda predictable. However, I can forgive that because this is urban fantasy after all, not crime fiction. And the first chapter took a little bit of perseverance on my part to get through. A more forgiving reader might not struggle as hard….
This is also my first Poppy Royana listen and I like the way she reads! Her British accent and young voice fits Forrest to the T! I like the way she reads her lines with sarcasm and vive!
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 4.5
Plot = 4
Narration = 5
Brogan lives in Ireland with her husband and their eleven furry children: five furry minions of darkness (aka the cats), four hellhounds (the dogs), and two traditional unicorns (fat, hairy Irish cobs).
In 2019 she decided to embrace her craziness by writing about the imaginary people that live in her head. Her first love is her number-one favourite furry child Bob the cob, then reading. When not reading or writing, she can be found knee-deep in horse poo and fur while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
Born and raised in the South East but finding her home in the North, Poppy is a bi British Narrator based in not too sunny Manchester. With experience in musical theatre, Poppy is both a singer and a book lover and teaches singing when she’s not found narrating in her booth.
Poppy’s voice could possibly be mistaken at times for Olivia Colman’s so we’d like to think that, in our opinion, Poppy has an award-winning voice. She sounds warm and uplifting whilst being articulate and crisp; and not only that but she can nail sarcasm to a T. There’s really not much Poppy can’t do!
The ebook and audiobook copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.
BLOOD MAGIC
Blood Magic by Stephanie Foxe
Book 3 in the Witch’s Bite series
Narrated by Laurel Schroeder
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook
About Blood Magic:
I’m stuck with Reilly and stuck figuring out how to control my newfound power, which is starting to feel more like a curse.
I never expected to be working with JHAPI.I’m still not sure I can trust them, particularly Zachary’s longtime friend who won’t stop glaring at me. And I’m not sure that Zachary Brunson has forgiven me at all.
To make matters worse, I can’t get rid of the welts on my arms, and I’m starting to see things I shouldn’t.
All I want is to find and kill Martinez, and get away from Reilly, but that’s proving to be easier said than done. Especially while discovering that the NWR always has another bloody trick up their sleeve.
Source: Info in the About Blood Magic was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37713254-blood-magic on 22/10/2019.
My Thoughts:
Another short and sweet installment in the Witch’s Bite series with 269 pages long. This one I read the ebook instead of listening to it, even though I already own the audiobook version. Teaches me not to buy books ahead of time instead of buying them only when I need to. Really not a fan of the narrator’s singsong way of reading!
I’ve said most of what I have to say about this book in my review of the previous books in this series. Wonderful story telling quality. Beautiful world building. Characters to love, etc. etc. This one is more of the same. Like I said, short and sweet!
Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = 5
Plot = 3
Narration = (N/A)
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries
Books In The Witch’s Bite Series:
About Stephanie Foxe:
Stephanie Foxe was born and raised near Houston, TX. She grew up playing in the pond and woods in her backyard, and devouring every book she could get her hands on.
Her teen years were spent transitioning slowly from reader, to writer. She spent most evenings on the phone with her cousin writing the first few pages to many books that would never be finished.
Her adult years were spent toiling away at a corporate job until one fateful day when she heard about a little writing project called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). From there, the idea of writing a book went from a fanciful dream to a finished manuscript. The first book in the Witch’s Bite series was written, and Stephanie was addicted.
Now, she has plans to publish everything from paranormal fantasy to science fiction.
One book at a time.
Join the Newsletter to be kept updated on any new releases. Sign up today to receive Unsteady Magic, the short story prequel to the Witch’s Bite series, for free!
About Laurel Schroeder:
Laurel Schroeder is a classically trained actor who received her MFA in acting from the University of Houston. She’s narrated over 100 audiobooks, and although her genres vary widely, she’s particularly fond of narrating young adult and mystery novels. When not in the booth working on her latest project, she can sometimes be seen in film or on stage, most recently in the world premiere of Good for Otto, by Tony Award–winning playwright David Rabe. A Colorado native, she now lives in Chicago with her boyfriend and their dog, the cutest little troublemaker you ever did see.
The different formats of this book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.
THE 12 DRAGONS OF ALBION
The 12 Dragons Of Albion by Mark Hayden
Book 2 in The King’s Watch series
Narrated by Ciaran Saward
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook
My name is Conrad Clarke and I claim my reward…
You’d think that staying alive and saving the girl would be enough for now.
After proving himself in a desperate magickal battle, Conrad is admitted to the King’s Watch.
And what does the world of magick do? It laughs in his face.
At least Conrad now has a partner with some serious magickal firepower.
Vicky Robson joins him on a mission to investigate rumours of a Dragon’s egg, and to get him through his entry test for the Invisible College.
But the Invisible College won’t play ball, and that Dragon’s egg is all too real.
Conrad grits his teeth and reminds the magickal world that he who laughs loudest laughs last…
Source: Info in the About The 12 Dragons Of Albion was taken from Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36533404-the-12-dragons-of-albion on 31/05/2022.
I’ve been looking forward to this book because, hey… dragons!
In book 1, The 13th Witch, there was a mention of the Invisible College. In this book, we are taken inside Hogwarts. But, the Dean is a highfalutin Oracle. Definitely not Dumbledore. At all!
Here also I can see the distinct British culture of delineating people between a naff and somebody posh. I wonder if the author is racist?… I don’t mean that in a bad way. Some people are just brought up in certain ways. I am not going to take that against them. It’s what they decide to do about it that makes the difference.
I’m not white, just in case you are wondering.
So, in this story we encounter one egg. The title, as well as the narrative along the way, indicated more eggs, i.e., 11 more dragon eggs. So, the question is, where are they?? Would we see more dragons in this series?
I like Ciaran Saward‘s attempts at Welsh accents! Especially at the start of Harry Evans‘ first few lines. It almost sound authentic! I don’t speak Welsh, but I live in Wales.
Empirical Evaluation:
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (13 hours and 28 minutes listening time)
Plot = 3
Narration = 4.5
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries
Books In The King’s Watch Series:
About Mark Hayden:
Mark Hayden is the nom de guerre of Adrian Attwood. He lives in Westmorland with his wife, Anne.
Adrian has had a varied career working for a brewery, teaching English and being the Town Clerk in Carnforth. He is now a part-time writer and part-time assistant in Anne’s craft projects.
He is also proud to be the Mad Unky to his Great Nieces & Great Nephew.
His current writing project is the King’s Watch series of urban fantasy novels, from 13th Witch all the way down to Zero Hour. If he can keep it up.
About Ciaran Saward:
I’m a London-based voiceover artist who loves discovering new things.
From small businesses and indie video games, to big publishers like William Collins and big authors like Wilbur Smith, I’ve worked with a range of clients to get their stories heard.
If you need a flexible & enthusiastic voice to bring your project to life, you’ve come to the right place.
Please have a listen to my voicereels, read some testimonials and see how I could help you!
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.
About
This blog is a sister site of www.cherrymischievous.com. Content on both sites is more or less the same.
ABOUT US
Cherry Mischievous (CM) started out as a personal blog of Cherry. It still is, sort of, among other things. But now, we have evolved into a kind of blog where friends who share the same love of books also blog… to know more about us, click on our names to go to our profiles:
Please note that not all reviews here are positive, but then we do not expect the entire wide world to agree and have the same tastes as us. It would be an incredibly boring and monotonous world! Besides, even among ourselves we don’t agree! One would rate a book 4.5 while the other would rate the same exact book with only 3 or less… So have a look and see, especially if it is your genre of books, even though it garnered a low rating with us, you might find it interesting 🙂
Now, let me tell you about Cherry… I am an avid reader of SciFi/Fantasy/Romance books and always on the look out for a good book to read. I dabble in the black arts of light and shadow… err mmm… photography, I mean. I am also in great excess of 18 years old. I am a nurse and constantly getting in trouble because I refuse to live in a box of preconceptions of other people of how things are suppose to be. And let me tell you, nursing is dominated with “tradition” and “sacred cows“, as any nurse and nursing student will tell you. I love spaghetti, chocolate ice cream, coffee and of course, books! I positively abhor stories with cliffhanger endings and driving in London! I am slightly insane, sometimes sarcastic, can be obnoxious, and totally honest. And oh yeah, people call me tactless too 🙂 Welcome to my corner of the world!
CONTACT US
You can contact us at: cherrymischif-contactcmwp2 [at] yahoo [dot] com
or CONNECT WITH US:
Please go to the Review Requests page for review requests.
Cherry Mischievous
www.cherrymischievous.com
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Cherry Mischievous 