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mellhay's review
4.0
A magical story filled with fascinating magic thats layered with a current story and hints of the old Kingdoms lost. Even findina a place one belongs and the love that blooms.
****FULL REVIEW****
Satina escapes the Shade controlled town through a pocket. She's always looking for those that might accept her and not look to use her for what she can do along with more information on the Gentry blooded. Being a Goodmother, Satina is wanted by both fractions; Shades and Starlights. Satina wants nothing to do with either gang. Believing the pocket portals will take her to where she is needed, she comes to an unknown place where an Imp Skinner approaches her. She sees him play a cruel trick on a young boy, trapping him - stuck holding a game. Helping the boy she knows the town will now know a Goodmother is present. Shortly after Satina comes to Westwood, Starlights march in looking for magical items and weapons long lost from the Kingdoms gone. Satina finds herself the center of attention as the Starlight leader wants her help searching, and she wants to protect the few people she's ever met that accept and help her.
I was drawn into this book at the beginning wondering about Satina being a Goodmother and mention of two gang fractions, first we see chasing Satina is Shades. Then when quickly landed in Westwood met the smiling Marten, as I was curious of him, and the other gang fraction - Starlights. I was caught with the action and the magic present.
I hoped this read would be full of magic, and I was not let down at all. Loads of magic here. Refreshing, unexpected, and built on as you go through the book. Each time we used magic, I learned more that can be done the further I read. The magic is expressed in a few different venues here, one is through sigils or even through herbs.
Satina thinks she can judge the town by their crops and livestock, yet the Skinner she meet didn't seem to fit in, and to live in one place without being run out of town by his tricks. When she gets into town, she starts to see the Skinner has helped the people with magical sigils of protection and in other areas as well. She's surprised through out the book by who Marten the Imp Skinner is. All I have to say... I don't care you're an Imp Skinner (and the word might be deceiving) Marten, I love you anyway!
Early on we see glimpses of hints to what the Kingdoms once were. When magic was accepted and maybe even loved by all. A time when Gentry (those of magic) interacted freely with humans, no matter what they looked like. Staying with a herbalist Marten had sent her to, Satina might learn what she's been looking to learn about her Gentry blood, full blooded Gentry and the old Kingdoms now lost.
Satina finds she likes the touch of freedom she's experienced here in Westwood and maybe even Marten, who has helped her in this little town he made his home. When the Starlight gang sees a group of Gentry's playing in a secret magically hidden ruin of a castle, the Starlights like the Shades take the freedom away from the town's people. Satina is ready to make a stand and not run anymore. However, if either fraction learns the sigils hidden here, they could be dangerous to all in either's hands.
In telling this magical tale and describing the magic, the author layers in hints of the old kingdoms lost to the world along with the magic and ruins. Each visit to the ruins is layered with the current story and events and hints of old magic, It was even worth reading sections twice to pick up on all that Frances offers. The first time through I caught the story then the second time I caught more of the magic and old kingdoms. There is more to the story that initially meets the eye.
I'm completely looking forward to the next installment of this series!
****FULL REVIEW****
Satina escapes the Shade controlled town through a pocket. She's always looking for those that might accept her and not look to use her for what she can do along with more information on the Gentry blooded. Being a Goodmother, Satina is wanted by both fractions; Shades and Starlights. Satina wants nothing to do with either gang. Believing the pocket portals will take her to where she is needed, she comes to an unknown place where an Imp Skinner approaches her. She sees him play a cruel trick on a young boy, trapping him - stuck holding a game. Helping the boy she knows the town will now know a Goodmother is present. Shortly after Satina comes to Westwood, Starlights march in looking for magical items and weapons long lost from the Kingdoms gone. Satina finds herself the center of attention as the Starlight leader wants her help searching, and she wants to protect the few people she's ever met that accept and help her.
I was drawn into this book at the beginning wondering about Satina being a Goodmother and mention of two gang fractions, first we see chasing Satina is Shades. Then when quickly landed in Westwood met the smiling Marten, as I was curious of him, and the other gang fraction - Starlights. I was caught with the action and the magic present.
I hoped this read would be full of magic, and I was not let down at all. Loads of magic here. Refreshing, unexpected, and built on as you go through the book. Each time we used magic, I learned more that can be done the further I read. The magic is expressed in a few different venues here, one is through sigils or even through herbs.
Satina thinks she can judge the town by their crops and livestock, yet the Skinner she meet didn't seem to fit in, and to live in one place without being run out of town by his tricks. When she gets into town, she starts to see the Skinner has helped the people with magical sigils of protection and in other areas as well. She's surprised through out the book by who Marten the Imp Skinner is. All I have to say... I don't care you're an Imp Skinner (and the word might be deceiving) Marten, I love you anyway!
Early on we see glimpses of hints to what the Kingdoms once were. When magic was accepted and maybe even loved by all. A time when Gentry (those of magic) interacted freely with humans, no matter what they looked like. Staying with a herbalist Marten had sent her to, Satina might learn what she's been looking to learn about her Gentry blood, full blooded Gentry and the old Kingdoms now lost.
Satina finds she likes the touch of freedom she's experienced here in Westwood and maybe even Marten, who has helped her in this little town he made his home. When the Starlight gang sees a group of Gentry's playing in a secret magically hidden ruin of a castle, the Starlights like the Shades take the freedom away from the town's people. Satina is ready to make a stand and not run anymore. However, if either fraction learns the sigils hidden here, they could be dangerous to all in either's hands.
In telling this magical tale and describing the magic, the author layers in hints of the old kingdoms lost to the world along with the magic and ruins. Each visit to the ruins is layered with the current story and events and hints of old magic, It was even worth reading sections twice to pick up on all that Frances offers. The first time through I caught the story then the second time I caught more of the magic and old kingdoms. There is more to the story that initially meets the eye.
I'm completely looking forward to the next installment of this series!
sheilaokeefe's review
2.0
Disclaimer: I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com
There's an interesting concept behind this book. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world, but the pre-apocalypse world was full of magic. The apocalypse seems to have been a war (or wars) that led to the end of most magic. This could have been an interesting setting, unfortunately it's poorly realized and the story itself is fairly standard (and predictable) heroine and hero fight off the bad guys while pursuing a complicated love relationship. My biggest problem is that the main character is unlikable. She behaves stupidly and is extremely self-involved. The reader is subjected to her worries that the man she loves might think badly of her while there's fighting going on and people might be dying. I won't be reading any more in this series.
There's an interesting concept behind this book. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world, but the pre-apocalypse world was full of magic. The apocalypse seems to have been a war (or wars) that led to the end of most magic. This could have been an interesting setting, unfortunately it's poorly realized and the story itself is fairly standard (and predictable) heroine and hero fight off the bad guys while pursuing a complicated love relationship. My biggest problem is that the main character is unlikable. She behaves stupidly and is extremely self-involved. The reader is subjected to her worries that the man she loves might think badly of her while there's fighting going on and people might be dying. I won't be reading any more in this series.
aly36's review
4.0
This book was what I was hoping for a fairy tale like feeling but a new twist. I enjoyed it! The plot was fun and exciting and the characters were interesting even though not a lot of background on them was given, The audio book was great to listen too and I felt it pulled me into the book more. "This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."
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