Super adorable book, and I so hope there is going to be another one!
The Dark Lord Bert pokes fun at all that we love and hate about gaming. Very light on the LitRPG, but I think that was purposeful. It wouldn't have been as great of a book if it had been heavy on that aspect. I loved all the references, and re-imagining of characters. A quick fun read for anyone that enjoys gaming, nerd stuff, and fantasy. (and can see the humor in those that take it a tad too seriously. :P )
The Dark Lord Bert pokes fun at all that we love and hate about gaming. Very light on the LitRPG, but I think that was purposeful. It wouldn't have been as great of a book if it had been heavy on that aspect. I loved all the references, and re-imagining of characters. A quick fun read for anyone that enjoys gaming, nerd stuff, and fantasy. (and can see the humor in those that take it a tad too seriously. :P )
Do you ever read a new book, and instantly it feels like home?
Magic Lessons had that affect on me. Maybe because Practical Magic was apart of my childhood, or maybe because it was written in such a way that couldn't help but make your emotions intertwined with the story. Either way, I was sad to turn the last page.
They story of Maria Owens felt familiar, yet new. I did not expect the way it ended at all, but yet deep down, I knew it was going to happen. So many lessons were learned between these pages. Of loss, hope, revenge, forgiveness, perseverance and most of all love.
This book gives depth to Practical Magic. Made me feel like I was reading reality not fiction. At times I couldn't help but google random lessons written in the pages just to check if Alice made them up or if she researched witches. I won't spoil which it is for you.
Instead I will leave you with Maria's update to Hannah's rules:
Do as you will, but harm no one.
What you give will be returned to you threefold.
Fall in love whenever you can.
While I know you'll love this book if you love the world created by Alice Hoffman. Even if you haven't read any of her books, but love witches, you'll enjoy discovering the life of Maria Owens.
Magic Lessons had that affect on me. Maybe because Practical Magic was apart of my childhood, or maybe because it was written in such a way that couldn't help but make your emotions intertwined with the story. Either way, I was sad to turn the last page.
They story of Maria Owens felt familiar, yet new. I did not expect the way it ended at all, but yet deep down, I knew it was going to happen. So many lessons were learned between these pages. Of loss, hope, revenge, forgiveness, perseverance and most of all love.
This book gives depth to Practical Magic. Made me feel like I was reading reality not fiction. At times I couldn't help but google random lessons written in the pages just to check if Alice made them up or if she researched witches. I won't spoil which it is for you.
Instead I will leave you with Maria's update to Hannah's rules:
Do as you will, but harm no one.
What you give will be returned to you threefold.
Fall in love whenever you can.
While I know you'll love this book if you love the world created by Alice Hoffman. Even if you haven't read any of her books, but love witches, you'll enjoy discovering the life of Maria Owens.
I thought Magic Lessons was heartbreaking, but it had nothing on this book.
Throughout the story we learn of what happened to the descendants of Maria Owens. With the story focusing on the two Aunts that Sally and Gillian come to live with in Practical Magic.
Though they are the main characters, it is cool to see other witches, and discussions of other family members throughout the story. How they each handle the witchcraft that runs in their blood and such.
Frances and Bridget live sheltered lives, and try and hide from the curse, and who they are from time to time. But what's in their blood will always bring them back to where they belong.
The lessons of love and life that are within these pages are magical yet gut-wrenching. These back stories give so much depth to the Aunts we meet in Practical Magic. Not to mention the town's history with the Owens women. It's insightful to see how deep seeded the feuds, and rumors run.
As with Magic Lessons, this book is filled with witchcraft mementos that make you feel fully immersed, and wondering if they are true. I adore the writing style of Alice Hoffman. These books feel like you are reading family history, not fiction.
You'll love this series if you enjoy reading about love, family bonds, and witches.
"The only remedy for love is to love more."
Throughout the story we learn of what happened to the descendants of Maria Owens. With the story focusing on the two Aunts that Sally and Gillian come to live with in Practical Magic.
Though they are the main characters, it is cool to see other witches, and discussions of other family members throughout the story. How they each handle the witchcraft that runs in their blood and such.
Frances and Bridget live sheltered lives, and try and hide from the curse, and who they are from time to time. But what's in their blood will always bring them back to where they belong.
The lessons of love and life that are within these pages are magical yet gut-wrenching. These back stories give so much depth to the Aunts we meet in Practical Magic. Not to mention the town's history with the Owens women. It's insightful to see how deep seeded the feuds, and rumors run.
As with Magic Lessons, this book is filled with witchcraft mementos that make you feel fully immersed, and wondering if they are true. I adore the writing style of Alice Hoffman. These books feel like you are reading family history, not fiction.
You'll love this series if you enjoy reading about love, family bonds, and witches.
"The only remedy for love is to love more."
I adored this story.
It is a multi-POV that jumps back and forth in time as a present day woman muddles through her ruined marriage stumbling on a mystery of the past women's secret apothecary.
The two stories are woven together so well that they climax together, and lean in to each other lesson / message wise. I loved the mystery of the past mixed with the hope for the future. It left me with a feeling adventure and hope for my own future.
Caroline's woes are so relatable, from letting her younger passions fade, to her personal life woes, her character was well written and read like a friend that we all know, not just a person in passing. Her search for the apothecary had me excited with anticipation, and I loved how everything turned out for her.
Nella’s and Eliza’s story had an equally real life feeling, the past felt well researched and placed in the right time with all of the descriptions and the change in voice. I loved the messages of karma woven into how their stories played out. The twists at the end were some that I didn't see coming.
You will love this story if you enjoy books that mix past and present storylines, and/or books that leave you with a desire to take the plunge and chase your goals.
It is a multi-POV that jumps back and forth in time as a present day woman muddles through her ruined marriage stumbling on a mystery of the past women's secret apothecary.
The two stories are woven together so well that they climax together, and lean in to each other lesson / message wise. I loved the mystery of the past mixed with the hope for the future. It left me with a feeling adventure and hope for my own future.
Caroline's woes are so relatable, from letting her younger passions fade, to her personal life woes, her character was well written and read like a friend that we all know, not just a person in passing. Her search for the apothecary had me excited with anticipation, and I loved how everything turned out for her.
Nella’s and Eliza’s story had an equally real life feeling, the past felt well researched and placed in the right time with all of the descriptions and the change in voice. I loved the messages of karma woven into how their stories played out. The twists at the end were some that I didn't see coming.
You will love this story if you enjoy books that mix past and present storylines, and/or books that leave you with a desire to take the plunge and chase your goals.
The cover for this book is so amazing!!! I've caught myself drooling over it multiple times. It's 100% the reason I picked this book up to read. Didn't read the blurb or who the author was, just had to read whatever was behind that cover.
Thank goodness what was there was awesome! Loved this book so much! From the sigil magic to the lizard wizard van to all the hierarchy. ugh. I'm ready to reread it.
I'm a sucker for inks & pens, and the research the author put into the main characters craft is high five worthy. The book is life like and mystical. You can feel the time put into to making sure the setting is culturally accurate, and all lore lines up. Some books fail at sinking in real world dialect into a fiction novel but this book works so freaking well. I feared i was going to be referencing the authors notes and half confused at the crazy spellings, but it never happened. The flow of the sentences supported the dialect perfectly.
All of the characters are well crafted, and the personalities of each are distinct and compliment the story perfectly. The grey of the 'villains', to the grey of the 'good guys' so much yes for this one. I'm also here for the commentary on 'human' trafficking, and how the magical world is dealing with the same problems we are dealing with in humanity.
Book one hasn't even released yet, but I'm ready for book two. Also a poster for my wall of this cover *drooling*
Thank goodness what was there was awesome! Loved this book so much! From the sigil magic to the lizard wizard van to all the hierarchy. ugh. I'm ready to reread it.
I'm a sucker for inks & pens, and the research the author put into the main characters craft is high five worthy. The book is life like and mystical. You can feel the time put into to making sure the setting is culturally accurate, and all lore lines up. Some books fail at sinking in real world dialect into a fiction novel but this book works so freaking well. I feared i was going to be referencing the authors notes and half confused at the crazy spellings, but it never happened. The flow of the sentences supported the dialect perfectly.
All of the characters are well crafted, and the personalities of each are distinct and compliment the story perfectly. The grey of the 'villains', to the grey of the 'good guys' so much yes for this one. I'm also here for the commentary on 'human' trafficking, and how the magical world is dealing with the same problems we are dealing with in humanity.
Book one hasn't even released yet, but I'm ready for book two. Also a poster for my wall of this cover *drooling*
The audiobook is fantastic, they found the perfect voice for this story.
If you don't enjoy British humor, think shows like Black Books, then you probably aren't going to find this book that amusing, and maybe a little boring. It reads much like how I would imagine a Londoner would tell me a story if I met him in a pub. Much different than an American urban fantasy.
The main character, Peter, takes you though the story of how he discovered magic is real/first case in the same way you'd expect him to tell you the story about how he landed his first girlfriend. Rough around the edges, unconventional and crass. I enjoyed his laid back take on magic, and his lot in life.
This world has an array of characters that I look forward to getting to know better in future books. I love the way everyone knows magic/paranormal is real to some extent, and either still don't believe it, or roll their eyes at it as if it's childish. Makes it more realistic in the sense that it's very likely how people would act about it.
The author does a fantastic job at introducing the reader to a wide list of "this is real" situations in this world, without having a main character that is actually wanting to have a long chat about what the rules are or what is real. Peter remains skeptical until proven otherwise, pushes boundaries and experiments in a manner that is refreshingly normal.
The mystery is well laid out, kept me guessing all the way to the end. I am curious if the future books will be as expansive, or if this one was just so we could get to know all the major players in the world.
You'll love this book if you like to believe that magic is real, and follow a low brow male lead detective as he shakes up tradition.
Notes: HP Mentions, infant death.
If you don't enjoy British humor, think shows like Black Books, then you probably aren't going to find this book that amusing, and maybe a little boring. It reads much like how I would imagine a Londoner would tell me a story if I met him in a pub. Much different than an American urban fantasy.
The main character, Peter, takes you though the story of how he discovered magic is real/first case in the same way you'd expect him to tell you the story about how he landed his first girlfriend. Rough around the edges, unconventional and crass. I enjoyed his laid back take on magic, and his lot in life.
This world has an array of characters that I look forward to getting to know better in future books. I love the way everyone knows magic/paranormal is real to some extent, and either still don't believe it, or roll their eyes at it as if it's childish. Makes it more realistic in the sense that it's very likely how people would act about it.
The author does a fantastic job at introducing the reader to a wide list of "this is real" situations in this world, without having a main character that is actually wanting to have a long chat about what the rules are or what is real. Peter remains skeptical until proven otherwise, pushes boundaries and experiments in a manner that is refreshingly normal.
The mystery is well laid out, kept me guessing all the way to the end. I am curious if the future books will be as expansive, or if this one was just so we could get to know all the major players in the world.
You'll love this book if you like to believe that magic is real, and follow a low brow male lead detective as he shakes up tradition.
Notes: HP Mentions, infant death.
I was told if I loved The Starless Sea then I would also love this book, and so when I finally found a copy, I dropped my entire currently reading list to be taken in by this story.
Wow, no review could do the book justice. The whimsical nature of this tale is breath taking. It and The Starless Sea are in a genre of their own. Books within books, stories about worlds unknown, and characters with an untapped sense of adventure and discovery.
I'm overcome with emotion after finishing this book. The words are woven so elegantly, a fable written to the reader with the purpose of opening their eyes to endless possibilities.
I want more, the many adventures of January, but yet, I am also left with a satisfying feeling of undying happiness. What a magical ride this book was. A comforting, odd, story that will take you into the unknown.
As with The Starless Sea, this book is unconventional, and if you have a hard time with whimsy and loose story lines, it might not be the right book to read. But, if you are looking to get lost in a tale of heartache, determination, and love ever lasting; throw caution to the wind and let this book lead you. It's a must read. One that I will certainly revisit.
Wow, no review could do the book justice. The whimsical nature of this tale is breath taking. It and The Starless Sea are in a genre of their own. Books within books, stories about worlds unknown, and characters with an untapped sense of adventure and discovery.
I'm overcome with emotion after finishing this book. The words are woven so elegantly, a fable written to the reader with the purpose of opening their eyes to endless possibilities.
I want more, the many adventures of January, but yet, I am also left with a satisfying feeling of undying happiness. What a magical ride this book was. A comforting, odd, story that will take you into the unknown.
As with The Starless Sea, this book is unconventional, and if you have a hard time with whimsy and loose story lines, it might not be the right book to read. But, if you are looking to get lost in a tale of heartache, determination, and love ever lasting; throw caution to the wind and let this book lead you. It's a must read. One that I will certainly revisit.
This book is the kind of story that feeds souls.
Stories within stories, deeper meanings woven into every sentence, themes of broken people doing what they can to make the world a better place. I adored every word of this book.
Alix E Harrow is a master of words, and has soared to the top of my favorite authors. I fell so deep into this story, much like The Ten Thousand Doors of January. When I tried to come up for air, the fables and workings of witch ways followed me. The heartbreak, the battles, the inevitable failures and the triumphs. All worth the pain of a lingering book drunk I doubt I'll shed for a while.
The cast of characters were mothers, sisters, friends and family that I knew. Every person was built raw and relatable. Grey morality. Relatable antagonists. I can't gush enough about how well crafted this story is.
You must read this book if you love character stories, that have much more whimsy than your average. Stories that inspire, and comfort. If you loved The Starless Sea you will also love this author.
Note: LGBT characters written flawlessly.
Stories within stories, deeper meanings woven into every sentence, themes of broken people doing what they can to make the world a better place. I adored every word of this book.
Alix E Harrow is a master of words, and has soared to the top of my favorite authors. I fell so deep into this story, much like The Ten Thousand Doors of January. When I tried to come up for air, the fables and workings of witch ways followed me. The heartbreak, the battles, the inevitable failures and the triumphs. All worth the pain of a lingering book drunk I doubt I'll shed for a while.
The cast of characters were mothers, sisters, friends and family that I knew. Every person was built raw and relatable. Grey morality. Relatable antagonists. I can't gush enough about how well crafted this story is.
You must read this book if you love character stories, that have much more whimsy than your average. Stories that inspire, and comfort. If you loved The Starless Sea you will also love this author.
Note: LGBT characters written flawlessly.
The love of music, mixed with the love of London, it's so engulfing. It feels like you're walking the streets with Peter. These books read like your sitting at a café, and Peter is telling you about his latest case. Which is fun, because Peters side thoughts are funny, and he tells it in such a laid back manner that you can't help but want to know more.
His character growth from the last book to this one is fascinating. He is like growing a heart I guess? Ha. I don't know how to explain it, he's still a pretty crass main character, but he is also becoming less of a solo act I guess. Caring about those around him, and doing what's right by them.
I love his approach to magic, wanting to do all the tests. It feels like the book has the old way on display as we learn about the world, and how Nightingale's era did things, but it also has the new way, which I hope is hinting to a new generation of magic users.
This case was intricate and took us all around London meeting interesting people-magical and not. I look forward to the plot lines that were opened up here for future books. It looks to be an exciting ride. I hope the cases having many layers to dissect continues, because it makes it more complex and harder to tell who the really villains are. I didn't suspect one of them in this book at all.
Lesley, oh Lesley. I don't want to say much here because I don't want to spoil any of her development but man. After our first run in with her in this book I was so hoping it was going to develop the way it did. Glad to see she will still be a key part of the series.
The Peter does seem to make a lot of HP comments, which feel a bit cheap, like it's leaning on that world building already there to explain how something works in this world. But I also get that if a lot of us discovered magic right now, we would probably be making the same comparisons.
If you love police procedural mysteries, that are funny but build a vast magical world, you'll love this series.