Lichgates by S.M. Boyce, The Grimoire Saga Book One

“When Kara Magari uncovers a secret door in the middle of the forest, she discovers (and trips through) a portal to a hidden world full of terrifying things: Ourea. She just wants to go home, but the natives have other plans for her. She clashes with immortal shapeshifters, is carried off by a dragon, nearly dies on several occasions, and somehow becomes the master of an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire. Every time she thinks she’s safe, her new “friends” show their true colors.

Kara needs an ally, or she might not survive Ourea’s monsters. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn’t know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing.

For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this stranded girl, there’s something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.

Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.” -Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

As readers, I believe we all wish to leave reality and stumble into a magical world, something we achieve through the written word. However, while we romanticize the idea, in actuality, we might enter into a place of wonder, but there is also evil and danger lurking there. In Lichgates, Kara Magari literally stumbles into another realm which changes her life forever.

In an attempt to escape the death of her mother and gnawing guilt, Kara retreats into the wilderness and comes across an unfamiliar path which leads her into Ourea (I can’t help but pronounce it “urea”), a tantalizingly beautiful, yet dangerous land. I am not a risky person and therefore not someone who jumps at the chance to explore the unknown recesses of the forest, so I’ve probably missed out on any chance of entering another world. Darn. Kudos to Kara though.

Her apathy and adventurous nature bite her in the butt when she discovers the grimoire, and subsequently becomes the legendary vagabond, the future savior of Ourea. As vagabond, Kara is tugged around by the various factions vying for her loyalty and her power. Not knowing who to trust, Kara has few allies, the most important and handsome being Braeden Drakonin. Romantic tension and I have a complex love-hate relationship. The coyness of Braeden and Kara’s attraction is infuriatingly wonderful (please tell me you understand this feeling) and has me itching to read the sequel in order to discover the outcome of their budding romance.

All in all, S.M. Boyce has produced a fanciful novel which I applaud for creativity, especially in the creation of the races and their homelands. I really appreciate the centrality that politics has in the plot as Kara tries to become a bridge between nations. The leaders all seem to entertain the same idea; if the vagabond isn’t your tool, they’re your enemy. The novel closes on the precipice of war, one which leaves the question of both Kara and Braeden’s fate.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lichgates and intend to read the second book in the Grimoire Saga. Have any of you read any of the books by S.M. Boyce? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter-  @whimsicallywhit

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Awakened by Casey Odell, Cursed Magic Series Book Two

“After escaping from the elves and the General, Claire is on the run again with the last person she’d thought she’d end up with— Farron. Shadowy forces are nipping at their heels, and soon they are attacked. But they have bigger worries. An old friend of Farron’s shows up: a beautiful woman with a mark shockingly similar to her own.

As it turns out, she is not alone.

And the new woman isn’t exactly on their side. Claire is kidnapped and lands in the middle of Farron’s biggest secret of all. Once again she is a prisoner and the people that surround her want to use her and her powers, people that she doesn’t have the option of refusing. The wolves are circling, but to pick a side means giving up everything she holds dear.” -Excerpt from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

Wishing (seemingly) everyone in the southern states a wonderful first day of school even though I started last week *gags*. May your year be full of lenient teachers. While my reading time is drastically restricted by the presence of class work, nothing can quell my literary appetite. No, Netflix, not even you. If you have read some of my previous posts, you probably know about my love for the elvish race, especially a particular elf by the name of Farron. That being said, I decided to pick back up with said elf and Claire in the sequel novel, Awakened.

Unlike most of my other reviews, this may contain a few spoiler-like subjects, so beware. The story opens with our pair of travelers, Claire and Farron, departing the Haven for a destination that may provide some answers as to the whereabouts of Claire’s mother. Plans never go, well, to plan, so when Claire finds herself kidnapped by an amazonian woman bearing a mark similar to her own, she decides to make the most out of the situation and tries gain mastery over her mark while learning more of its origin. I don’t want to tell you exactly where Claire was whisked off to, but it relates back to Farron and the shrouded past he’s running from, a past he’s willing to return to in order to save her *swoon*.

As readers, we are all familiar with the moody, infuriatingly cocky male character, and while annoyed, secretly root for him as he slowly woos the damsel. There’s a moment where the damsel finally sees through the rough facade to the delicate inner-working of his soul and they fall in love. Simple and predictable, and I love it. Now for my frustration to ensue. Claire frustrates me almost as much as Katniss (now that’s a whole other story). Farron finally lays bare his heart, their chemistry is brought to the surface, they have beautiful moments together, and then she proceeds to continually shatter his heart. Colloquially, we have a term for girls like her, but I think it’s best left unsaid. She thinks she’s doing it “for the greater good” or something justifiable, but all she’s really doing is pissing me off.

Rant aside, Awakened is full of surprising revelations, romance, intrigue, and suspense. The damage Claire’s mark sustained at the hands of the General leave both its functionality and her life in question. At the close of the novel, she embarks on a quest that may help find her mother and save her own life, but more importantly, save the entire world.

I am eagerly awaiting the third book in the Cursed Magic Series that, as of April 2015, is in the works. If you haven’t already started reading these books, I definitely recommend them! As Shia would say, JUST DO IT.

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter-  @whimsicallywhit

Sworn to Transfer by Terah Edun, Courtlight Book 2

“Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.” – Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

Sometimes life gets in the way of all the lists and plans I’ve created and hinders me from blogging with you all, so apologies to everyone! I’ve stumbled across some real gems in the past few weeks and can’t wait to share them with you! In the meantime, let’s pick back up with Ciardis’ story in Sworn To Transfer.

Ciardis, fiery as ever, continues to struggle with her behavior in the royal court. After causing multiple scandals and making more than a few enemies, Ciardis finds her life threatened. Sifting through allies and foes becomes challenging, but with the unwanted favor of the Sahalian dragon liaison, many have begun to fear her.

Prince Sebastian, now restored as heir to the Sandrin throne, continues to pursue Ciardis as a future Companion. I love seeing how their relationship changes between the first and second book. Sebastian, being royalty and all, appreciates the candid companionship that Ciardis provides. They find comfort in each other and form a seemingly unbreakable bond founded on trust. Ciardis also begins to admire the subtle changes in Sebastian’s appearance and personality as he grows into manhood. I’m excited to see what romantic fires might be kindled between them!

The Kith deaths force Ciardis, her new and terrifying Sponsor, and their comrades to visit the Ameles Forest in search of answers, not knowing that danger and death await them. A shocking revelation, one that alienates Ciardis from her friends, causes her to doubt all her relationships. If you discovered a secret directly involving you, one known by all the inhabitants of Sandrin, you’d be pissed too.

While I enjoyed Sworn To Transfer, I really felt like it’s a stretch to make this its own book. Aside from the previously mentioned shocking revelation, this book seems to mainly aide in defining the relationships between the characters, causing the pacing to be very slow. I don’t do well with slow books. When I read (tried to read) Jane Erye, I almost gouged my eyes out (apologies to all you classic fans). The goings-on in this book could have been written in less words and a more exciting fashion. That being said, I do like the story as a whole.

I will be reading the third book in the Courtlight series, Sworn To Conflict, in the coming weeks and will also post a review. Have any of you read or are currently reading any of Terah Edun’s books? If so, I’d love to hear about your thoughts on the series!

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter-  @whimsicallywhit

“Lions, Tigers, and JAGUARS? Oh my!” Darkest Fear by Cate Tiernan, Birthright Book One

“Vivi’s animal instincts are her legacy—and maybe her downfall—in this start to a romantic fantasy series that will appeal to fans of The Nine Lives of Chloe King.

Vivi has known the truth about her family—and herself—since she was thirteen. But that doesn’t mean she’s accepted it. Being Haguari isn’t something she feels she’ll ever accept. How can she feel like anything but a freak knowing that it’s in her genes to turn into a jaguar?

Now eighteen, Vivi’s ready to break away from the traditions of her heritage. But all of that changes with the shocking, devastating deaths of her parents and the mysteries left behind. Vivi discovers family she never even knew she had, and a life open with possibility. New friends, new loyalties, and even romance all lay ahead—but so do dangers unlike anything Vivi ever could have imagined.” -Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

As a reader of paranormal fiction, the “novelty” of certain subjects wears off. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading books with vampires and werewolves and each seems to include some exciting twist, but I appreciate when I come across a fresh idea. In Darkest Fear, Cate Teirnan, inspired by the lore surrounding the jaguar, created the Haguari, a people who can manifest in jaguar form. I don’t know about you, but jaguar-people is not something I come across often.

While the concept is exciting, the protagonist falls flat. “Vanilla” is the perfect description of Vivi. She has no fire, few quirks, and sulks all the time. It’s pretty frustrating. After finding out about her Haguari heritage and nature, she shuns her loving parents and her culture completely. First, I want to shake her. SHE’S A JAGUAR. That’s way cooler than being a college student, trust me. Second, she has parent’s who love her dearly, yet she hates them and all they stand for. With her parent’s death, Vivi becomes a shell, feeling only sorrow. Karma, man.

The story picks up with Vivi following a lead on an unknown family member to the quiet little town of New Orleans. She meets a group of Haguari that become family, gets a job at an eclectic coffee shop, has a thoroughly confusing romantic experience, and slowly takes back her life. However, the most thrilling part is the investigation of Haguari deaths that may be connected to her parent’s murder.

Now that I got some of the rave out, it’s time for more rant. I think Darkest Fear may have initially been released in phases or sections on some website or something. Why? THERE IS A SUMMARY AT THE BEGINNING OF ALMOST EVERY CHAPTER. Yelling aside, it irked me to no end. All I could think of was, “I know, I know, I was there.” Apart from redundancy, the pace was insufferable. Nothing significant really happened throughout the majority of the book. Beginning: hatred, middle: self-loathing and coffee, end: now we are finally (thinking about) doing something about the murderers chasing us. Yeah, I know, doesn’t really make much sense to me either.

I’m not one to give up, and I think the plot is promising, so I will consider reading (or trying to read) the other books in the Birthright series. If you have read anything by Cate Tiernan, including the Birthright series, please be my Obi-Wan and give me hope for the rest of them.

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter-  @whimsicallywhit

Unearth by Jenna Bernel, The Secret Trinity Book One

“Aria Darwin has always considered herself cursed. She is obsessed with finding a cure for the bad boyfriend plague. Worse yet, she’s in denial about her weird abilities and terrified of her mysterious stalker who causes the earth to quake violently with the snap of his finger.

With her two best friends, Aria enters her first semester of college armed with a “no more men” pact in an effort to demagnetize the sleaze balls. Unfortunately, the agreement proves difficult when she meets Liam, a charming foreign exchange student, on the first day of school.

Aria quickly discovers that Liam is not only Mr. Perfect, but he also somehow ignites her supernatural side. Upon the invitation of her dream guy, Aria travels to Ireland through the study abroad program, dragging her friends along with her. But her world of euphoric bliss quickly comes crashing down as she uncovers the truth about her past, revealing who she really is and what she was born to do.” -synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

Have you guys ever played a wack-a-mole game? For those of you who are unfamiliar, a wack-mole-game consists of a player using some sort of mallet to smash whatever critters are randomly popping out of the holes. While fun and stress-relieving to play, I can only imagine what it feels like to be a “mole” in the game. It probably feels a lot like reading Unearth. There are countless instances where the reader is constantly smashed by copious amounts of description and adjectives. Everyone likes descriptive writing, but instead of gently provoking mental pictures, Jenna Bernel muddies her sentences with too many adjectives at once.

Excessive adjectives and slight headache aside, I was quite please with the story line. Aria tends to be naive to the point of frustration, but she exhibits an admirable strength of character. I blame her terrible luck with boys on lack of common sense. Liam, or Mr. Perfect, gave me the creeps from day one (and for perfectly good reasons that you discover later on). Stalker-guy didn’t freak me out too much (probably because I wasn’t the one being stalked), but then again, my mom always gets onto me because I would’ve gone with the stalker-like Phantom instead of Raul (if you get this reference, I love you). While discovering more about who and what she is, Aria finds herself in the center a dynamic war between the Fae and the evil Famorii. As if the Fae weren’t enough, throw in war and you’ve got me hooked.

Unearth is great for a quick and FREE summer read! As long as you can make it through the periodic mounds of adjectives, it is both fun and entertaining! I will be reading and reviewing the other two books in the series soon! I’d love to hear your thoughts on The Secret Trinity books!

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter-  @whimsicallywhit

Renegade by Erica Stevens, The Captive Series #2

“Though she is free of the palace, rescued from her position as a blood slave, Aria is haunted by the memories of her time spent within the fortress, tormented by memories of Braith, the prince that betrayed her and shattered her heart.

Every day is a struggle to get through, and the only solace she is able to find is with Max, her best friend, and fellow captive. Though Max does not understand her bond to Braith, he knows some of what she endured, and helps to ease some of the tattered pieces of her soul. Aria slowly begins to salvage the broken parts of her wounded spirit by throwing herself into the wonder of the woods she had so greatly missed, and the secure and reassuring love that Max freely gives her. Her world is thrown into a tailspin again though when a marauding group of vampires destroy the caves she had found temporary shelter in.

Scattered about the forest, seeking to stay hidden and find her family, Aria is stunned when Braith, the monster that savaged her heart, reappears. Stunned by his sudden arrival in her world, Arianna is uncertain if he has come to recapture her, or to kill her for daring to escape.” -synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

This last half of June has been busy. Work is crazy, to say the least. I also had a birthday and left the realm of “teenager.” Suffice it to say, I feel old. I know many of you will probably scoff at 20 being old, but birthdays make it hard to forget that you are aging. All of that aside, I’m glad to have an opportunity to review another book for you guys! I recently finished the second book in Erica Steven’s Captive series, Renegade.

My favorite part of Renegade is the beginning, the time before Aria and Braith are reunited. At the end of Captured, Aria receives a shock that breaks her heart and forces her to flee the castle and Braith. Upon discovering her betrayal, Braith turns into a hate-filled monster and seeks out the pleasures of the flesh in order to forget Aria. As a culmination of all these events, they grow to absolutely hate each other and thus begins the second novel.  A part of me loves how much they hate each other. Don’t ask me why, I just do. They make me think a song by The Civil War that says, “I don’t love you, but I always will.” Erica Stevens captures the frustration and anger one can feel towards their significant other while still loving them above all else. The strength of their ire leaves you questioning the outcome of their inevitable reunion. The tension is spectacular.

I wish I could say that the rest of this book was as emotionally charged and exciting as the beginning, but the rest of this book consists mainly of dialogue. While every good book needs great dialogue, it also needs some action to keep the reader interested. Aria and Braith spend the entire second half of the novel meeting with their allies and plotting to overthrow the tyrannical reign of Braith’s family. I understand that one cannot and should not enter into war without a great amount of thought and strategic planning, but I feel like Erica Stevens could’ve stated everything in a more concise manner. Would that have combined books two and three? Probably, but it’s better than sifting through the same repetitive conversation and dilemmas.

Did I hate this book? No, but I definitely felt like I was plodding through mud. If Renegade had been the first book, I would not have continued the series. The need for resolution spurred me on to read the third and final book (review will be coming soon), and I enjoyed the story as a whole. Have any of you ever read a sequel with such a frustrating pace? And if you have, did it keep you from continuing the series?

If you have read any of the books in the Captive series or any other books by Erica Stevens, please feel free to share your thoughts!

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter-  @whimsicallywhit

The First Book of Demons by Raquel Dove, The Book of Demons #1

“Alexandra’s world is shattered when the only family she has is brutally murdered. A series of strange encounters, and her relentlessly curious nature, lead her into the woods where she meets a destiny that has been chasing her since birth. She is unknowingly brought into a world of demons that is fraught with turmoil and deadly power struggles. Lord Balthazar, a demon prince trying to hold his new kingdom together, seizes on the opportunity and takes her hostage. Alexandra’s strong willed, defiant personality not only gets her into heaps of trouble, but also manages to gain the unlikely affections of the demon lord that holds her captive. As time begins to run out for both of them, sacrifices must be made that are to neither one’s liking, and by the time they realize what they truly want, it may be too late.” -synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

So this title made me wary, and I was hesitant about what kind of “demons” Raquel Dove chose to write about. After further research, I discovered that the races featured in this novel were inspired by Arabian mythology. Having been a reader and lover of Jonathan Stroud’s Bartimaeus trilogy, I felt that I would enjoy The First Book of Demons too.

First, and most importantly, THIS BOOK IS NOT YA. I repeat, THIS BOOK IS NOT YA. I believe this to be the biggest mistake made by people reading this book. They expect a coy narration of the romantic content. I’m sure, like me, they were surprised, if not shocked, to discover their error. While I have read books that were more explicit, I did tire of reading about “fleshy, pink nubs.” I am not saying that this book was inappropriate or vulgar, I am just making you aware of the intended audience. Raquel Dove also writes intimate scenes using antiquated phrases and terms. She might have wanted to highlight the archaic nature of the Demon world, however, it just didn’t work for me.

Racy parts aside, I found myself quite captivated by the story. I love how infuriating Alexandra is. She constantly irks Lord Balthazar and the other demons and it’s hilarious. In his quest for power, Balthazar drags Alexandra along to aid in the collection of three necessary items. As they fight off griffins, thwart attempts to wrest away Balthazar’s throne, and discover the emergence of an unbeatable foe, a deep bond is formed, one with romantic ties (YAY). The end of the novel gives us a sneak peek of how closely Alexandra and Balthazar’s fates are tied together.

I have already read book two, Demons Amongst Us, and am excited to continue the rest of the saga! Have you read any of Raquel Dove’s books? If so, please let me know your thoughts!

If you have suggestions for book reviews or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter- @whimsicallywhit

Linked by Heather Bowhay, The Guardian Series Book #2

“Leading a double life as an Amethyst and a Dentelle is difficult, loving two men is tragic, but for Lexi Adams, planning her own death is totally insane. After narrowly escaping the Ray-Pacs in Amethyst, Lexi and Jason are now headed to the safe haven on Towhead Island. Heart-broken, she understands why a Guardian-Amethyst relationship is forbidden, but that won’t stop her from trying.

Unfortunately, a new threat arises from the Ray-pacs, causing Lexi to team up with Ash. They devise their own plan for infiltrating and destroying the Ray-pacs, one that will protect her Guardian friends. But Lexi soon discovers that her lies, regardless of all her good intentions, are about to destroy everyone she has worked so hard to protect. Is it too late to live and love?”

Hello Lovelies!

I’ve been sitting on this review for about a month, waiting to post it (I wanted to break up sequel reviews). After finishing and loving Amethyst, I immediately moved onto Linked, eager to continue the story of Lexi and her companions.

Ash, who seemed to fade out of Amethyst, returns full force in Linked and becomes Lexi’s confidant, accomplice, and even lover. Instead of the cocky facade portrayed in the first book, Ash is revealed to be a feeling individual hounded by insecurities. His loyalty to Lexi is unwavering even though they have connections to opposing sides. Ash, an unexpected knight in shining armor, rescues the remnants of Lexi’s broken heart (thanks, Jason), and does his best to piece them together with his love. All in all, I really love Ash.

Jason, on the other hand, is another story. Irritatingly subordinate to Guardian rules, Jason crushes Lexi’s romantic advances with an iron hand, devastating her. The distance between them allows Ash to sneak his way into her heart. Even though Jason “doesn’t care,” he still experiences bolts of jealousy at Lexi and Ash’s relationship. Serves him right! As the novel progresses, things between Jason and Lexi become quite interesting, (spoiler, kind of) ending with an admission that simultaneously makes my heart sing but also quake in fear for their future.

Linked centers around plotting the demise of the Ray-Pacs, but also enlightens you on the inner-workings of both the Guardians and Lexi’s heart. Madison also becomes surprisingly likable but still full of copious amounts of disdain. I spent the entire book questioning the fate of Lexi due to her Dentelle nature. Obviously, because of the existence of a third book, I knew Lexi would live, I just didn’t know to which side she would be linked. The ending battle scene is thrilling and full of bad-assery (just go with it). The next and last book in the series, Dentelle, will most likely consist of many battle scenes and nerve-wracking suspense!

I am excited to continue the Guardian series soon! I definitely recommend this series to all of you as it is enjoyable and electrifying! Be on the lookout for my review of Dentelle! If you have read any of Heather Bowhay’s books, I’d love to hear your opinions!

If you have suggestions for book reviews or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter- @whimsicallywhit

Captured by Erica Stevens

“Blood Slave. Captured, taken from her beloved family and woods, Aria’s biggest fear is not the imminent death facing her, but that she will be chosen as a blood slave for a member of the ruling vampire race. No matter what becomes of her though, Aria knows that she must keep her identity hidden from the monsters imprisoning her. She has already been branded a member of the rebellion, but the vampires do not know the true depth of her involvement with it, and they must never know. Though hoping for death, Aria’s world is turned upside down when a vampire named Braith steps forward to claim her. He delays her execution, but Aria knows it’s only a matter of time before he drains her, and destroys her. Especially once she learns his true identity as a prince within the royal family; the same royal family that started the war that ultimately brought down humankind, reducing them to nothing more than servants and slaves. Aria is determined to hate the prince, determined not to give into him in anyway, but his strange kindness, and surprising gentleness astonish her. Torn between her loyalties to the rebellion, and her growing love for her greatest enemy, Aria struggles to decide between everything she has ever known, and a love she never dreamed of finding.” -synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

Finally, a review on a vampire novel! When the vampire fad emerged in full force, I skirted around it in order to avoid reading stories that all seemed overwhelmingly similar to Twilight. While I don’t dislike vampires, I was tired of them. Now that the vampire “thing” is over, I thought it was about time to give Captured a chance, and it didn’t disappoint!

Vampires are sadistic, blood-sucking beasts, especially in the world created by Erica Stevens. After a long and bloody war, the vampires emerged victorious and enslaved humanity, killing or torturing the ones who rebelled. One hundred years later, the rebellion continues its attempts to thwart the vampiric rule by any means possible. Arianna, daughter to the rebellion’s leader, is captured and sold as a blood slave to the vampire Braith, prince and heir to the throne. Thus begins Arianna and Braith’s complicated relationship.

My last few book reviews featured strong, fiery female characters, and Arianna fits the bill. I admire her bravery and stubbornness. She passionately stands up for her beliefs and justification of the rebellion, even to the prince of her enemies. Braith, handsome and well-versed, exhibits a volatility of emotion that borders on terrifying. He can go from kind to livid in the blink of an eye. That being said, I never doubted his intentions toward Arianna or his feelings for her.

Captured gave me a “Beauty and the Beast” vibe. Even though Arianna plays the role of captive, she fearlessly and carelessly stands up to Braith like none have before. The gentleness Braith displays while interacting with Arianna causes her to doubt her previous beliefs, and she begins to have feelings for him. Obviously they fall in love and it’s wonderful!

So everything is fine and dandy, right? No. This book has a horrible, gut-wrenching twist. This was my second time reading Captured, and I had completely forgotten about said twist. Consequently, I basically hyperventilated due to shock and cried a little. It was just so unexpected and heartbreaking. Even now, my throat constricts thinking about it (and I’m already into the second book).

My final advice: READ IT. Not only is it free and a great book, Erica Stevens is also a talented writer, so you’re bound to enjoy it!  I own all the books in the Captive series and will be posting their reviews! If you have read any of the books in the Captive series or any other books by Erica Stevens, please feel free to share your thoughts!

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

You can follow me at:

Twitter-  @whimsicallywhit

Cursed by Casey Odell

“The night Claire Tanith’s small village is attacked, her mother sends her alone into the cursed forest, the one she’d been forbidden to enter all her life with these mysterious words: ‘They will protect you.’

On the run from her attackers, she soon finds the forest is not as abandoned as she’d once thought.

Beautiful and elegant, the elves seem to be everything the legends said they would be. But legends sometimes forget the true history of things and Claire’s eyes are soon opened to a world she never knew. One that has been kept from her for most of her life. All Claire wants to do is return home and start looking for her mother, the only family she ever had. But the elves have different plans. The mysterious mark that appeared on her arm isn’t a curse, at least not to them anyway, and before she knows it, she is whisked away on a mission she never agreed to, unless they help her in return.

Now she is stuck on an adventure with the perverted elf, Aeron, and one with an attitude, Farron. But there is more to this adventure than she’d ever hoped for.” -Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Hello Lovelies!

It’s Friday *does a little jig* and I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to another weekend and a reprieve from the seemingly constant rain. I’ve been aching for some vitamin D and reading by the pool feels like a wonderful way to relax and pass the time. I’m hoping to read some sequels this weekend and have their posts drafted early next week, but in the meantime, I have a captivating tale to share!

This was my second time to read Cursed, and I found it just as thrilling. Out of all the fantasy races, elves are my favorite (with fae coming in second) . I blame Legolas for my mild obsession. Aside from ethereal beauty, grace, intelligence, skill in battle, I love that elves are shrouded in mystery. So when I read that Claire’s companions were elvish, I was instantly hooked.

Claire struggles with strength and confidence throughout the beginning of the novel when she flees the only life she’s ever known and is thrown into a world of magic, danger, and the unknown. Claire gains courage and tenacity after being faced with countless obstacles. Although I found Claire’s moping to be unpleasant and a bit taxing, it didn’t last long and her growth surprised me. She quickly became a spit-fire full of fun and a sense of adventure. My only issue with Claire, an extremely minor issue, is her height. I would have just loved her to be tall, but I’m just nitpicking. As a female touching upon 5’9, I wish more literary females were tall. While I have no problems with petite women, I enjoy stumbling upon a relatively tall female character every now and then.

Casey Odell did not disappoint with her creation of Aeron and Farron, Claire’s elvish escorts and, if you were to ask her, captors. Aeron, a gorgeous and flirtatious elf with a boisterous and cocky attitude, also reveals flashes of a darker, more serious side that speaks to his high-ranking military position. Mysterious sums up Farron. With a past veiled in secrets, Farron speaks very little and is a brooding character hiding behind a cocky face. He both infuriates and intrigues Claire. Their relationship is complicated and ranges from confidant to outright enemy, but the romantic tension between the two is spectacular.

Even though the reader doesn’t learn much about the elves’ purpose for Claire, the journey is exciting and full of unexpected turns. Claire does some things that make you want to slap some sense into her, but her mistakes make the plot all the more interesting. There is the perfect amount of romance and heartbreak and a good dose of fighting.

I loved Cursed both times I read it. The characters are captivating and you feel as if you are adventuring right along with them. While I would definitely recommend any books from Casey Odell’s Cursed Magic series, some readers are hesitant about the release of the third novel. Unfortunately, the third book was delayed due to illness, and although Casey is getting better (yay!), many remain doubtful that the third book will actually get done. However, don’t let this stop you from giving the books a chance! I’m so grateful that Casey Odell is better and am eagerly looking forward to the third book!

I already own book two, Awakened, and will review it within the next few months. If you have read any of Casey Odell’s books, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

If you have suggestions for book reviews, or have any other questions, please either comment below or email me at whimsicalwhit@gmail.com

-Whimsical Whit

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