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caffeineandbookreviews's review
5.0
I fucking loved it! My first audio book and so glad I got to pick this one.
You can read here and there that it's a first book but considering she wrote it at 19 I'm seriously impressed.
Can't wait to get started on book 2!
You can read here and there that it's a first book but considering she wrote it at 19 I'm seriously impressed.
Can't wait to get started on book 2!
momwithareadingproblem's review
4.0
Thank you to the author for providing a copy! The following are my own thoughts and opinions of the book.
Enticed by [a:Monique Snyman|5780347|Monique Snyman|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1391176346p2/5780347.jpg] is book one of her series Charming Incantations and follows the story of Lisa Richards. Lisa was living a normal life, getting ready for college until a fire took the lives of her parents and she discovered a secret world that her family was involved in. A world full of myth and fantasy that has now turned reality for her. Vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, banshees, witches....they all exist and thanks to a very old alliance they work to protect the humans from finding out their existence and to prevent the bad guys from taking over. Lisa's family was the only part from the humans and as the only living heir, she takes her father's role in the Alliance. Confused and grieving, Lisa must decide who she can trust and adapt to this new life if she hopes to save the human race.
Meet the Characters
Lisa is eighteen, out-going, and very independent until her parents are killed. Though this scene occurs before the book begins, the author gives us a glimpse at what Lisa is like when she is too busy to grieve. I like this character! She's funny, quick-witted, and though I'd have peed my pants meeting a vampire and werewolf (among other paranormal beings) she smiles and shows no fear. Lisa is also very trusting, too trusting in my opinion. When she goes to the Alliance's first meeting, she agrees to move in with the werewolf. Ummm....no thank you! I don't care how hot he is I would not be moving in with a creature that could kill me by accident. Not gonna happen! But Lisa trusts Romulus and does exactly the opposite of what I would do. (Of course, I trusted the vampire Milosh so maybe I'm not the best person to criticize ;) )
Romulus Lowell is the werewolf representative, a socialite growing up very rich and in the public eye. His mannerisms are formal and well beyond someone of his years (twenty-three). In fact he reminds me of an old-timey (like 1800s) suitor - very proper speech, formal mannerisms, and always dressed impeccably. Here is what I picture when I think of Rome:
Yes I know.....Alcide from True Blood, but it fits Rome too ;)
Milosh is a former Frenchman and the vampire representative. He speaks his mind and has a bit of fun teasing (or scaring depending on how you look at it) Lisa. But his respect for her family and the Alliance, keeps him from doing any real harm. Milosh is a fun character. He's not the typical vampire from other horror stories which I like, but he also isn't like the vampires that are portrayed in many YA novels these days. He is unique and wholly the author's. In fact I really want to know more about him!!
Plot (aka World-Building)
As this is the first book of the series, the plot focuses mainly on world- and character-building. Though it is told in first-person from Lisa's perspective, there are many characters (not just the few I mentioned) along with many supernatural/paranormal beings that come in and out of the story, such as witches, goblins, banshees, and shape shifters. The author draws a lot from mythological accounts when describing the banshees, but other characters are completely new too me as far as description, what they do and how they do it. I love this!! It made for an interesting read.
Overall the plot focuses on Lisa's slow/quick immersion into the world of supernatural, and the inevitable fight with the Goblin King (who happens to be the ultimate absent villain in my opinion). Everything about the Goblin King is rumor and speculation at best which makes the character a great bad guy :D There are lots of scenes with training and fighting, upping the suspense of the book. In fact I couldn't read it fast enough!
My Conclusions
Overall I kinda love this book! Lisa has a very dry humor that the other characters don't always get which leaves me snickering and the suspense kept me glued to my Kindle the entire read. In fact, I read this book in one sitting, not meaning too. I sat down after my three year old was tucked into bed with the intention of reading one or two chapters. That turned into 10 then 15 then the whole book!
While this book is classified as young adult, I would suggest 16+ or mature young adult only. There is some profanity and a few sexual encounters (though nothing of the erotic nature). If you enjoy urban fantasy, character-driven novels then I'd recommend you check out this series!
Enticed by [a:Monique Snyman|5780347|Monique Snyman|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1391176346p2/5780347.jpg] is book one of her series Charming Incantations and follows the story of Lisa Richards. Lisa was living a normal life, getting ready for college until a fire took the lives of her parents and she discovered a secret world that her family was involved in. A world full of myth and fantasy that has now turned reality for her. Vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, banshees, witches....they all exist and thanks to a very old alliance they work to protect the humans from finding out their existence and to prevent the bad guys from taking over. Lisa's family was the only part from the humans and as the only living heir, she takes her father's role in the Alliance. Confused and grieving, Lisa must decide who she can trust and adapt to this new life if she hopes to save the human race.
Meet the Characters
Lisa is eighteen, out-going, and very independent until her parents are killed. Though this scene occurs before the book begins, the author gives us a glimpse at what Lisa is like when she is too busy to grieve. I like this character! She's funny, quick-witted, and though I'd have peed my pants meeting a vampire and werewolf (among other paranormal beings) she smiles and shows no fear. Lisa is also very trusting, too trusting in my opinion. When she goes to the Alliance's first meeting, she agrees to move in with the werewolf. Ummm....no thank you! I don't care how hot he is I would not be moving in with a creature that could kill me by accident. Not gonna happen! But Lisa trusts Romulus and does exactly the opposite of what I would do. (Of course, I trusted the vampire Milosh so maybe I'm not the best person to criticize ;) )
Romulus Lowell is the werewolf representative, a socialite growing up very rich and in the public eye. His mannerisms are formal and well beyond someone of his years (twenty-three). In fact he reminds me of an old-timey (like 1800s) suitor - very proper speech, formal mannerisms, and always dressed impeccably. Here is what I picture when I think of Rome:
Yes I know.....Alcide from True Blood, but it fits Rome too ;)
Milosh is a former Frenchman and the vampire representative. He speaks his mind and has a bit of fun teasing (or scaring depending on how you look at it) Lisa. But his respect for her family and the Alliance, keeps him from doing any real harm. Milosh is a fun character. He's not the typical vampire from other horror stories which I like, but he also isn't like the vampires that are portrayed in many YA novels these days. He is unique and wholly the author's. In fact I really want to know more about him!!
Plot (aka World-Building)
As this is the first book of the series, the plot focuses mainly on world- and character-building. Though it is told in first-person from Lisa's perspective, there are many characters (not just the few I mentioned) along with many supernatural/paranormal beings that come in and out of the story, such as witches, goblins, banshees, and shape shifters. The author draws a lot from mythological accounts when describing the banshees, but other characters are completely new too me as far as description, what they do and how they do it. I love this!! It made for an interesting read.
Overall the plot focuses on Lisa's slow/quick immersion into the world of supernatural, and the inevitable fight with the Goblin King (who happens to be the ultimate absent villain in my opinion). Everything about the Goblin King is rumor and speculation at best which makes the character a great bad guy :D There are lots of scenes with training and fighting, upping the suspense of the book. In fact I couldn't read it fast enough!
My Conclusions
Overall I kinda love this book! Lisa has a very dry humor that the other characters don't always get which leaves me snickering and the suspense kept me glued to my Kindle the entire read. In fact, I read this book in one sitting, not meaning too. I sat down after my three year old was tucked into bed with the intention of reading one or two chapters. That turned into 10 then 15 then the whole book!
While this book is classified as young adult, I would suggest 16+ or mature young adult only. There is some profanity and a few sexual encounters (though nothing of the erotic nature). If you enjoy urban fantasy, character-driven novels then I'd recommend you check out this series!
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