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pause_theframe's review
4.0
This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to read anything by these authors, and I am so pleased I took the chance, as I really loved both the story and the way the characters were built and made to interact.
I really liked that the characters were very unique and created a story that was very interesting and a story that felt very fresh and fun to read. The approach that was taken, in creating the characters, meant that they felt very real and approachable, whether you liked them as people or not, you felt a connection to them, as you knew about them, their pasts and the undying features and personalities they had, even if they didn’t know themselves.
The pace was good for this book and really made for a story that flowed well and remained very interesting and engaging throughout. This did mean that I got through the book quickly, but in a good way, as it was hard to put down.
Overall, this was a great read and definitely one I would recommend.
**I chose to provide my honest review.
I really liked that the characters were very unique and created a story that was very interesting and a story that felt very fresh and fun to read. The approach that was taken, in creating the characters, meant that they felt very real and approachable, whether you liked them as people or not, you felt a connection to them, as you knew about them, their pasts and the undying features and personalities they had, even if they didn’t know themselves.
The pace was good for this book and really made for a story that flowed well and remained very interesting and engaging throughout. This did mean that I got through the book quickly, but in a good way, as it was hard to put down.
Overall, this was a great read and definitely one I would recommend.
**I chose to provide my honest review.
debrajoreads's review
3.0
I liked this book, not as much as Blackwell. I am very critical of books set in New Orleans (my hometown), especially by local authors. I found the book to be very cliche. Also, I couldn't help that Will called Lexie, BABY, excessively. I also didn't like how they just basically forgave Magnus for being a murdering, horrible person.
arthistorygirl's review
4.0
Damned: A Magnus Blackwell Novel is the first in the series by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor. This is a great book and I really enjoyed the story. The story takes on the paranormal and a haunted house. Lexie is able to communicate with ghosts. She always has had a special ability to sense things but this ability is amplified when she moves into Altmover Manor with her fiance Will. She sees and hears things that Will is unable to comprehend. He thinks that she is exaggerating what is going on in the house around them. Magnus is a soul that has come back to his home and in search of an item. He is not what he seems as well as others in the story.
I enjoyed the book and the twists and turns. Also I enjoyed that the back story was in the late 1800's incorporating to current day. Makes for some interesting twists. I recommend this to anyone who likes a good story and likes a paranormal presence also. I will be looking for more books in this series.
I enjoyed the book and the twists and turns. Also I enjoyed that the back story was in the late 1800's incorporating to current day. Makes for some interesting twists. I recommend this to anyone who likes a good story and likes a paranormal presence also. I will be looking for more books in this series.
katie_83's review
5.0
Damned
By Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor
5 stars
What did I just read? Wow what a story! I should have known having read a book by this author previously that I was going to be in for a good read! When I first read a book by this author I was new to paranormal but having read a few now it has definitely become one of go to genres and Alexandrea Weis is definitely one of the best I have read. From the very first word she manages to draw me into the world that she has created. Her characters are complex but you can’t help but fall in love with them instantly. Her storylines are full of twists and turns that leave you on the edge of your seat. The amount of detail the author puts into her stories is phenomenal!
Although this is the first book in the series I believe there is a prequel to it where Magnus Blackwell is introduced – I didn’t read that first but now having read this book I definitely want too!!
Magnus has some unfinished business at Altmover Manor and he is not going to leave new owner Lexi and her Fiancée alone until it is! I’m pretty sure Magnus thought it was his lucky day when he discovers Lexi has an ability that he can use to his advantage!
This is definitely an exceptionally well written story that paranormal genre fans will not be disappointed with!
By Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor
5 stars
What did I just read? Wow what a story! I should have known having read a book by this author previously that I was going to be in for a good read! When I first read a book by this author I was new to paranormal but having read a few now it has definitely become one of go to genres and Alexandrea Weis is definitely one of the best I have read. From the very first word she manages to draw me into the world that she has created. Her characters are complex but you can’t help but fall in love with them instantly. Her storylines are full of twists and turns that leave you on the edge of your seat. The amount of detail the author puts into her stories is phenomenal!
Although this is the first book in the series I believe there is a prequel to it where Magnus Blackwell is introduced – I didn’t read that first but now having read this book I definitely want too!!
Magnus has some unfinished business at Altmover Manor and he is not going to leave new owner Lexi and her Fiancée alone until it is! I’m pretty sure Magnus thought it was his lucky day when he discovers Lexi has an ability that he can use to his advantage!
This is definitely an exceptionally well written story that paranormal genre fans will not be disappointed with!
bwagner's review
4.0
Damned: A Magnus Blackwell Novel (Book 1) by Alexandrea Weis is the second book in her Magnus Blackwell series. I highly suggest you read the first book so you get the full understanding of the character Magnus. You will also get to know this author's writing style and her attention to details that keep the story flowing until the end. This story will pull you in from the first word until the very last. It will take you on a roller coaster ride of mystery, suspense and ghosts. It will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat just waiting to see what will happen next. One thing I enjoy about this series is that there seems to be something lurking in the shadows in every book. In this installment you have Will and his finance Lexi. They have purchased Magnus's Manor and are determined to make it their home. But there is more to this Manor then meets the eye. What is lurking in the corners? Lexi has a gift that is made known but is she the only one that can reveal what is really going on? What will happen when they have to leave back to Boston? When they try to figure out how to get rid of Megnus (an unwanted guest) is where the story starts taking a twist that you won't want to miss. Will they finally be rid of Magnus? These are strong characters that will just plain take you on a journey through twists and turns. Magnus is my favorite character even though he is a little evil. I enjoyed him in the first book and I enjoyed him just as much if not more in this one. Wait to you see him when he realizes the world has changed from when he was in it last. I enjoyed that Lexi had these powers and what she could do with them. I think that there is a little more to her then we get to see. These character really are just well developed and you will fall in love with them. All of the characters including the ghosts make this story what it is. It is a free flowing story with a twist of paranormal that you won't be able to put down. I highly recommend this story, I know you will want to see what Magnus has for you this time! Is this really the house of their dreams?
shannonlovesbooksandreading's review
4.0
What a great ghost story! I loved this mystery! Lexie and her fiancé, Will, are trying to renovate a house that just happens to be haunted. Strange things happen to Lexie, that Will doesn’t believe are truly happening, he thinks it’s just stress. Which kind of made me think less of him, right from the start. He is just a little too naive for me, and bossy. But not bossy in an alpha sexy kind of way. I didn’t like him very much. He doesn’t support Lexie or even try to believe what she sees and then it seems to me all of a sudden he does a 180 and agrees to believe her. He’s creepy in my opinion!
Speaking of creepy…Enters Remi! Remi is someone helping with the renovations but doesn’t seem to be who he says he is. He does however seem to be the King of Creepy in this story! If those two character weren’t enough creepy for you, there are other characters and events that are just as creepy! What the heck is going on in the bedroom!? Creepy! And that banister! Creepy! And all those Dragons!?! Did I say Creepy?!!?
Lexie begins to show her own strength and belief in herself. She starts solving the mystery of Magnus Blackwell and his mansion. I did not find her creepy at all!
This story is very well written with lots of page turning action! I highly recommend this story!
Speaking of creepy…Enters Remi! Remi is someone helping with the renovations but doesn’t seem to be who he says he is. He does however seem to be the King of Creepy in this story! If those two character weren’t enough creepy for you, there are other characters and events that are just as creepy! What the heck is going on in the bedroom!? Creepy! And that banister! Creepy! And all those Dragons!?! Did I say Creepy?!!?
Lexie begins to show her own strength and belief in herself. She starts solving the mystery of Magnus Blackwell and his mansion. I did not find her creepy at all!
This story is very well written with lots of page turning action! I highly recommend this story!
angelahayes's review
5.0
5 Stars
Edited 5th Dec 2019- Just finished reading this series- and I have read this book several times now, and is definitely still a 5 Star read. Riveting!!
“Who you were is of no consequence. It’s who you will become that matters.”
Damned is the second instalment (Book #1) in the Magnus Blackwell series by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor- and comes after the prequel Blackwell (Book #0.5). I was riveted by the prequel, I couldn’t wait to continue the story, so I had a lot of anticipation for this book. The authors met all my expectations, and then some! I couldn’t have loved this book more. It is full of thrilling mystery, suspense, drama, the supernatural- voodoo, ghosts, and magic. It isn’t quite as dark as the prequel, but the story more than holds its own without it.
The story is set a hundred years after Blackwell and we find that Magnus is now a ghost, bound to his former home ‘Altmover Manor’. The manor is slowly succumbing to the elements, still an impressive sight, just in dire need of some attention.
Will Bennett is a talented architect who purchases the manor with big plans on renovating it and restoring its former grandeur. He and his fiancé Lexie Arden arrive at the manor ready to get things started, but they soon realise that things aren’t going to be quite that easy.
Lexie was born with ‘the gift’- which until now hadn’t meant much, just sensing stuff- but moving into Altmover Manor seems to awaken her gift- now she is able to see and hear ghost. Will doesn’t believe in the supernatural, so the fact that the house is haunted causes quite a bit of tension between them. Add to this, the strange caretaker of the property, Remi, who has agreed to stay on and help Will with the renovations. Lexie can’t help but feel that he is hiding something from them, and really doesn’t trust him.
Magnus needs Lexie’s help in finding his dragon cane, if it isn’t found soon chaos would ensue and destroy everything he holds dear. The search for his cane takes Lexie from the Island, to Boston and then on to New Orleans- along the way she discovers that there is so much more to the whole story that she could have ever imagined. To unravel the mystery and get to the bottom of it all, will take team work. She is going to have to learn to trust Magnus and work together in order for them both to find their destiny.
This book is an exceptional tale, incredibly well written- the product of very talented storytellers. The writing is compelling, polished, descriptive and exquisitely detailed. The authors easily transport the reader into the story, where we walk the streets of New Orleans, seeing all the wonders of the city, right alongside the characters.
I could go on and on about this book, I loved everything about it- but you really should read it for yourself, as you are sure to love it just as much as I did. But if you haven’t read the prequel, I would definitely start with it first, to get all the backstory and character details that are referenced in this book.
An amazing and truly memorable read!
I am really excited to find out what the next book has in store for us!
Thank you, Ms. Weis and Mr. Astor!
Edited 5th Dec 2019- Just finished reading this series- and I have read this book several times now, and is definitely still a 5 Star read. Riveting!!
“Who you were is of no consequence. It’s who you will become that matters.”
Damned is the second instalment (Book #1) in the Magnus Blackwell series by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor- and comes after the prequel Blackwell (Book #0.5). I was riveted by the prequel, I couldn’t wait to continue the story, so I had a lot of anticipation for this book. The authors met all my expectations, and then some! I couldn’t have loved this book more. It is full of thrilling mystery, suspense, drama, the supernatural- voodoo, ghosts, and magic. It isn’t quite as dark as the prequel, but the story more than holds its own without it.
The story is set a hundred years after Blackwell and we find that Magnus is now a ghost, bound to his former home ‘Altmover Manor’. The manor is slowly succumbing to the elements, still an impressive sight, just in dire need of some attention.
Will Bennett is a talented architect who purchases the manor with big plans on renovating it and restoring its former grandeur. He and his fiancé Lexie Arden arrive at the manor ready to get things started, but they soon realise that things aren’t going to be quite that easy.
Lexie was born with ‘the gift’- which until now hadn’t meant much, just sensing stuff- but moving into Altmover Manor seems to awaken her gift- now she is able to see and hear ghost. Will doesn’t believe in the supernatural, so the fact that the house is haunted causes quite a bit of tension between them. Add to this, the strange caretaker of the property, Remi, who has agreed to stay on and help Will with the renovations. Lexie can’t help but feel that he is hiding something from them, and really doesn’t trust him.
Magnus needs Lexie’s help in finding his dragon cane, if it isn’t found soon chaos would ensue and destroy everything he holds dear. The search for his cane takes Lexie from the Island, to Boston and then on to New Orleans- along the way she discovers that there is so much more to the whole story that she could have ever imagined. To unravel the mystery and get to the bottom of it all, will take team work. She is going to have to learn to trust Magnus and work together in order for them both to find their destiny.
This book is an exceptional tale, incredibly well written- the product of very talented storytellers. The writing is compelling, polished, descriptive and exquisitely detailed. The authors easily transport the reader into the story, where we walk the streets of New Orleans, seeing all the wonders of the city, right alongside the characters.
I could go on and on about this book, I loved everything about it- but you really should read it for yourself, as you are sure to love it just as much as I did. But if you haven’t read the prequel, I would definitely start with it first, to get all the backstory and character details that are referenced in this book.
An amazing and truly memorable read!
I am really excited to find out what the next book has in store for us!
Thank you, Ms. Weis and Mr. Astor!
hncald78's review
5.0
This was an excellent book. It far exceeded my expectations. I am thankful to learn that this is intended to continue as a series. The author has created rich characters and interesting plot development. I particularly appreciated the expected turning into an unexpected plot twist (must read to find out). If you enjoy the paranormal and a good whodunit, this is a must read.
bookertsfarm's review
4.0
This book had a lot of buzz words for me which is probably why I wanted so desperately to be part of the tour. We have a neglected historical haunted house, curses, spirits, voodoo and lot of dragon references. Also, there were hints about Lexie having a supernatural gift and I pretty much had to find out what that gift was.
First I have to say that my copy of this book was beautiful. I don't normally like people on the cover, but I think the model's eyes, coupled with the dragon cane and mansion on the hill work great together. Next, there are flourishes at the beginning of the chapters and the chapter number is done in color - basically unheard of on my Kindle. It's all in the details people!
Next, I felt an immediate connection to the characters and I needed to know if Magnus was good, bad or somewhere in between. It was fun being with Lexie as she journeys to different areas looking for a lost relic and the descriptive methods used by the authors made me feel like I was seeing this run-down house for the first time and visiting the locations along with Lexie.
I don't want to give too much away because I went into the actual plot pretty blind, and I think I enjoyed it all the better because of it. I have discovered there is a prequel novel (Blackwell 0.5) which provides more into Magus' backstory and I've already purchased it for my Kindle. If you enjoy the things mentioned in the first paragraph, then definitely consider picking this book up!
I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
First I have to say that my copy of this book was beautiful. I don't normally like people on the cover, but I think the model's eyes, coupled with the dragon cane and mansion on the hill work great together. Next, there are flourishes at the beginning of the chapters and the chapter number is done in color - basically unheard of on my Kindle. It's all in the details people!
Next, I felt an immediate connection to the characters and I needed to know if Magnus was good, bad or somewhere in between. It was fun being with Lexie as she journeys to different areas looking for a lost relic and the descriptive methods used by the authors made me feel like I was seeing this run-down house for the first time and visiting the locations along with Lexie.
I don't want to give too much away because I went into the actual plot pretty blind, and I think I enjoyed it all the better because of it. I have discovered there is a prequel novel (Blackwell 0.5) which provides more into Magus' backstory and I've already purchased it for my Kindle. If you enjoy the things mentioned in the first paragraph, then definitely consider picking this book up!
I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
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