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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I decided to read this as a half joke, because Amazon suggested it since I enjoyed Harry Potter
After just finishing a book with no book cued up, a sponsored Facebook ad for this book grabbed my attention and I went on Goodreads to put it on my Want to Read shelf. I realized I had put it on my WTR shelf almost a year ago and decided to give this a chance on a snowy Saturday.
I liked this book. It’s light and fluffy—you could call it brain candy. I have always enjoyed the idea of a person having the power of “empathy.” Harley is not only an Empath but also has elemental powers-which is another favorite of mine.
The Mage Council and Coven points are where a lot of people compare this book (or series) to Harry Potter. I can see the comparison, and personally I though the Mage Council was the least interesting, and underdeveloped thread of the book.
I enjoyed this for what it was. A light, quick fantasy read with interesting potential regarding the different magical powers. When I was reading, I know I’m not reading J.K Rowling or Tamora Pierce, but I still enjoyed it. As a fan of urban fantasy, this was a fun read.
I’m pretty sure Bella Forrest is a collective of ghost writers. Being that she’s written over 100 books in only the past 8 years with no personal Wikipedia page, I doubt it’s one person. I liked this book though nonetheless.
I liked this book. It’s light and fluffy—you could call it brain candy. I have always enjoyed the idea of a person having the power of “empathy.” Harley is not only an Empath but also has elemental powers-which is another favorite of mine.
The Mage Council and Coven points are where a lot of people compare this book (or series) to Harry Potter. I can see the comparison, and personally I though the Mage Council was the least interesting, and underdeveloped thread of the book.
I enjoyed this for what it was. A light, quick fantasy read with interesting potential regarding the different magical powers. When I was reading, I know I’m not reading J.K Rowling or Tamora Pierce, but I still enjoyed it. As a fan of urban fantasy, this was a fun read.
I’m pretty sure Bella Forrest is a collective of ghost writers. Being that she’s written over 100 books in only the past 8 years with no personal Wikipedia page, I doubt it’s one person. I liked this book though nonetheless.
Magical Fun Read
Harley has the makings of a great hero - I can't wait to see what she and her friends get into as the series progresses!
Harley has the makings of a great hero - I can't wait to see what she and her friends get into as the series progresses!
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Nice fantasy book that was clean and not too dark. I love Harry Potter and this one had similarities. It was great to read another Harry Potter-like series, at the same time maybe not entirely original. Good plot throughout. Will continue the series!
Harley Merlin.. what a trip! I found this series on one of those Facebook ads where it promises to be the next ‘Harry Potter’ but for adults. After skimming some reviews on GR, most people either loved it or hated it. There were very few in-between.
While I will say that it’s definitely not anywhere near Harry Potter level, I really did like the spin on this first book. It was pretty predictable but it honestly reminded me of Cate Tiernan’s series, Sweep. It was written on a more mature level than HP, but I can see how some would compare it.
Harley Merlin has been shuffled through the foster care system like most kids usually are. From this home to another, never settling her roots, she finally finds a home where two people say they love her and she develops relationships with them and their children. Fast forward to adult Harley, and she’s working in a casino catching card counters with her ultra sensitive Empath abilities. Never knowing where she came from or anything about her parents other than a handwritten message from her supposed father, she’s doing quite well on her own.
Soon, she’s thrown into the Chaos world where she meets Wade and other witches/warlocks. They teach her about herself and prepare her for a witchy life. But there’s inside work going on that is making the coven look bad with the head honcho Mage Council. You must read to find out what happens. I was pleasantly thrown into this hot mix but loved it!
While I will say that it’s definitely not anywhere near Harry Potter level, I really did like the spin on this first book. It was pretty predictable but it honestly reminded me of Cate Tiernan’s series, Sweep. It was written on a more mature level than HP, but I can see how some would compare it.
Harley Merlin has been shuffled through the foster care system like most kids usually are. From this home to another, never settling her roots, she finally finds a home where two people say they love her and she develops relationships with them and their children. Fast forward to adult Harley, and she’s working in a casino catching card counters with her ultra sensitive Empath abilities. Never knowing where she came from or anything about her parents other than a handwritten message from her supposed father, she’s doing quite well on her own.
Soon, she’s thrown into the Chaos world where she meets Wade and other witches/warlocks. They teach her about herself and prepare her for a witchy life. But there’s inside work going on that is making the coven look bad with the head honcho Mage Council. You must read to find out what happens. I was pleasantly thrown into this hot mix but loved it!
Heard this was the new 'Harry potter' not sure it lives up to that but was a good read. It reminds me a little bit of Shadowhunters with the mysterious headquarters and I do see alot of similarities with hp but more grown up. I like Harley and the band of misfits at San Diego Coven. Looking forward to the next book.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did like the premise of this story- we have Harley, a orphan who has Magical powers of her own, but has never meet anyone like her- until a chance encounter with a warlock and a gargoyle make her realize she’s not as alone as she thought.
So like I said interesting premise, but it was another ‘speshul girl’ story where Harley is not only Elemental ( can control all of the elements) but telekinetic as well as an empathetic. So yeah really rare- but oh no, her power isn’t what everyone hoped, and she’s a Mediocre. (which is kind of a bad thing in the magic world ) Oh darn.
What I also didn't like was that Harley seemed to give up her emotional feelings when someone told her to- and then was overly violent at other times.
I literally wrote in my notes: I hate how she keeps backing down to him when he’s being a clueless dickbag- if she wants to be upset she has a right to -even if you don’t understand it you weird robot
Then the ‘love’ interest was... all over the place- and the story was in the span of only a week- ONE WEEK! so why was everyone taking her opinion as gold when she was not only new to magic, but coven life in general? It seemed like they wanted to make her seem more important and forced everyone else around her to seem dumb by comparison.
So like I said interesting premise, but it was another ‘speshul girl’ story where Harley is not only Elemental ( can control all of the elements) but telekinetic as well as an empathetic. So yeah really rare- but oh no, her power isn’t what everyone hoped, and she’s a Mediocre. (which is kind of a bad thing in the magic world ) Oh darn.
What I also didn't like was that Harley seemed to give up her emotional feelings when someone told her to- and then was overly violent at other times.
“It is what it is, Harley. This thing is going right into a junkyard. Get over it and worry more about why there are gargoyles following you around in the first place.”
I literally wrote in my notes: I hate how she keeps backing down to him when he’s being a clueless dickbag- if she wants to be upset she has a right to -even if you don’t understand it you weird robot
Then the ‘love’ interest was... all over the place- and the story was in the span of only a week- ONE WEEK! so why was everyone taking her opinion as gold when she was not only new to magic, but coven life in general? It seemed like they wanted to make her seem more important and forced everyone else around her to seem dumb by comparison.
I highly enjoyed this book it is a great start to an interesting series. I really liked the characters especially Harley and Wade they have an interesting relationship that could at some point change to how it is currently. I also really liked how Harley wants to be independent and I like that she is not a high school student. I really liked the plot it starts out with a young woman using her powers to find cheaters in a casino and it moved on to finding out about magic and many other very interesting things along the way. So overall I really liked this book and will continue the series at some point.