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redamancyreads's review against another edition
5.0
I've been thinking over and over on how I wanted to write this review because I wanted to make sure I did this story justice!
Before I began the story, I had just recently read through at least a dozen or so easy-to-read books where not a lot of thinking was required and you just sort of, fly through them. So when I first started this it was almost like I gave myself whiplash with just how descriptive this story is vs the other stories I had just recently finished.
If a descriptive story isn't your cup of tea, then maybe this isn't for you, but I still encourage you to try it out because it really is such a beautifully crafted story. I feel like I can really sense the amount of time and research that the author put into making this story truly authentic.
Well, as authentic as it can be, you know?
I tried explaining to a friend how much I enjoyed all the description throughout and the best I could come up with, to truly capture how I felt about it, was comparing it to a very popular TV show and explaining how the show (also a book series) wouldn't be as good if the author didn't include all the details that he did. If someone else had written the same story but without the descriptive details, I'm not so sure that show/book series would be as popular as it is.
So I say all that to say, if someone else were to take this story and write it without the descriptive details and without all the obvious hard work that went into researching terminology, herbalism, etc, I REALLY do not think I would have enjoyed it as much.
So..really you guys, if witches are your thing and you respect the true art of research and authenticity, I think you should read this. For real. I mean that sincerely! I'm starting book 2 in this trilogy tonight!
Before I began the story, I had just recently read through at least a dozen or so easy-to-read books where not a lot of thinking was required and you just sort of, fly through them. So when I first started this it was almost like I gave myself whiplash with just how descriptive this story is vs the other stories I had just recently finished.
If a descriptive story isn't your cup of tea, then maybe this isn't for you, but I still encourage you to try it out because it really is such a beautifully crafted story. I feel like I can really sense the amount of time and research that the author put into making this story truly authentic.
Well, as authentic as it can be, you know?
I tried explaining to a friend how much I enjoyed all the description throughout and the best I could come up with, to truly capture how I felt about it, was comparing it to a very popular TV show and explaining how the show (also a book series) wouldn't be as good if the author didn't include all the details that he did. If someone else had written the same story but without the descriptive details, I'm not so sure that show/book series would be as popular as it is.
So I say all that to say, if someone else were to take this story and write it without the descriptive details and without all the obvious hard work that went into researching terminology, herbalism, etc, I REALLY do not think I would have enjoyed it as much.
So..really you guys, if witches are your thing and you respect the true art of research and authenticity, I think you should read this. For real. I mean that sincerely! I'm starting book 2 in this trilogy tonight!
alejandra_guerrero's review against another edition
3.0
Kinda boring, super predictable, and the end of the book wasn't that great... Aside from the annoying first person toughts interspersed with the third person narrative inserted without any kind of singposting. Sometimes I just asumed those random phrases were toughts from a character (wasn't sure which one, since It didn't say), but nothing in the book actually indicated they were.
saimarie's review
5.0
I was utterly CAPTIVATED by Ashley McLeo's amazing writing skills in this first edition of the Prophecy of Three series! If you enjoy science fiction and witchcraft - look no further because this is your book. It is one of the most mystical stories I have read this year and I was thoroughly impressed with the author's ability to set a hook in and deep within minutes of opening the book. This is a story that will whisk you away into a land of enchantment with a unique twist that will leave you begging to read the next installment. There is no doubt that Ms. McLeo has what it takes to sell books and leave you gasping to read more. MUST READ AUTHOR.
littlefoot10's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book directly from the author Ms. McLeo. Thank you so much Ashley. This is my review.
This novel was so engaging. From the first chapter I was hooked. I loved the mythology weaved into this story, the almost alien like quality of the fata, and who hasn't wanted to be a witch as some point in their life. It's such a mystical quality we all want to be connected and a part of. And I also loved that each character really had their own voice and were distinct. Some characters you really routed for from the start and understood them, and others grew on you as their motives and back story became clearer.
I felt the beginning was a bit rough with Lily and Liam when he was in the picture, and what transpired. It seemed very brief and almost tossed in as a side note. However, all the small details within this novel all have purpose and meaning; you must wait for those secrets to come to light.
I loved the setting of this story, Ireland is always on my wish list to go and explore in my life time. I love reading novels set there because in a lot of ways I feel like I have been there because the description is so powerful.
I think my most favourite part of this debut novel of this author and this series; was the spells within the novel. I thought they were poetically written and really showed what the characters really needed when they were casting them.
Definitely excited for book two, and to see what happens next with these amazing characters!
This novel was so engaging. From the first chapter I was hooked. I loved the mythology weaved into this story, the almost alien like quality of the fata, and who hasn't wanted to be a witch as some point in their life. It's such a mystical quality we all want to be connected and a part of. And I also loved that each character really had their own voice and were distinct. Some characters you really routed for from the start and understood them, and others grew on you as their motives and back story became clearer.
I felt the beginning was a bit rough with Lily and Liam when he was in the picture, and what transpired. It seemed very brief and almost tossed in as a side note. However, all the small details within this novel all have purpose and meaning; you must wait for those secrets to come to light.
I loved the setting of this story, Ireland is always on my wish list to go and explore in my life time. I love reading novels set there because in a lot of ways I feel like I have been there because the description is so powerful.
I think my most favourite part of this debut novel of this author and this series; was the spells within the novel. I thought they were poetically written and really showed what the characters really needed when they were casting them.
Definitely excited for book two, and to see what happens next with these amazing characters!
moj8668's review against another edition
5.0
Where do I begin?!
I discovered this book through a random social media encounter - it was a Twitter discussion about self-published/indie authors - where I met the author. Do yourself a favor - read this book!
I'm going to try to keep this brief because I could go on about this book for awhile. Let's start with something "technical" - the Bechdel Test. For those who don't know, the Bechdel Test came about as a result of a 1985 comic strip created by Alison Bechdel. Originally intended as a way to "rate" movies, the Bechdel test has three basic goals - (1) There must be at least two female characters, (2) Both female characters must have names, and (3) They must have a conversation that is about something OTHER than a man. This book EXPLODES those three criteria. The book focuses on three women who don't know they are sisters (triplets, to be exact) and their mother and her two sisters. Along with these six characters, there are other women who play significant roles in the story as well. In the course of the story, you learn their names and their personal histories. Their conversations involve the family history, the reasons that the triplets were sent to live with adoptive families (with their magic bound since they were born witches), learning to use their now un-bound powers, and the fact that these three just might be a set of sisters spoken of in a prophecy millennia before.
The characters can be strong or vulnerable, confident or frustrated, focused or confused. In other words, they are real and relatable. None of them is perfect or completely flawed but you are rooting for them every step of the way. You cheer as they become more able to control their various powers, you are genuinely worried for them when a loved one is in serious dangers . . . and when Lily has to make a heart-wrenching decision regarding someone who helped to raise her? I literally held my breath!
If you like believable, strong, multi-dimensional female characters and a well-written plot, read this book! Warning - there is a mountain of a cliffhanger at the end!
I discovered this book through a random social media encounter - it was a Twitter discussion about self-published/indie authors - where I met the author. Do yourself a favor - read this book!
I'm going to try to keep this brief because I could go on about this book for awhile. Let's start with something "technical" - the Bechdel Test. For those who don't know, the Bechdel Test came about as a result of a 1985 comic strip created by Alison Bechdel. Originally intended as a way to "rate" movies, the Bechdel test has three basic goals - (1) There must be at least two female characters, (2) Both female characters must have names, and (3) They must have a conversation that is about something OTHER than a man. This book EXPLODES those three criteria. The book focuses on three women who don't know they are sisters (triplets, to be exact) and their mother and her two sisters. Along with these six characters, there are other women who play significant roles in the story as well. In the course of the story, you learn their names and their personal histories. Their conversations involve the family history, the reasons that the triplets were sent to live with adoptive families (with their magic bound since they were born witches), learning to use their now un-bound powers, and the fact that these three just might be a set of sisters spoken of in a prophecy millennia before.
The characters can be strong or vulnerable, confident or frustrated, focused or confused. In other words, they are real and relatable. None of them is perfect or completely flawed but you are rooting for them every step of the way. You cheer as they become more able to control their various powers, you are genuinely worried for them when a loved one is in serious dangers . . . and when Lily has to make a heart-wrenching decision regarding someone who helped to raise her? I literally held my breath!
If you like believable, strong, multi-dimensional female characters and a well-written plot, read this book! Warning - there is a mountain of a cliffhanger at the end!
jenee72391's review against another edition
4.0
The story started out a bit slow but within the first three chapters it picks up. Without giving to much away the story is about an ancient race of beings known as fata who are the creators of witches. Once you meet the three main characters Lily, Sera, and Evelyn the story pulls you in and from there you will want to keep reading.
emzzz92's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. Going into it not knowing much was totally worth it. So many twists that I didn’t see coming made me not want to put it down. It’s well written with great character development. I can’t wait to read more. I highly recommend this book.
krisrid's review against another edition
4.0
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for writing a review.
There is A LOT going on in this book, and I really enjoyed it.
This book has a number of things I enjoy, and a few that wouldn't normally grab me, but everything came together so well and I found myself completely drawn in to the story and excited to see how it was all going to play out.
The story is driven by a unique and interesting combination of history, myth, culture, fantasy and a smidgen of religious history, but it is all in service of the author's creative, entertaining, well-written and well-conceived plot. If you pay attention you will get an education on all these categories, but even if you don't care about any of them, there is an exciting, suspenseful and character-driven plot to draw in a reader.
Speaking of characters, if you like your books peopled with strong women, as I do, then this book is a jackpot full of them. Honesty compels me to say that of the three main characters in this series, Lily [the main focus of this book] probably isn't going to be my very favourite. I like her, and I sympathize with her situation, but she's a bit on the easily led and taken advantage of side in the beginning. Still, Lily absolutely pulls it together when the moment calls for it, and in the end she's a terrific character that is it very easy to like and root for.
I also really liked the pacing in this book. The ebbs and flows of the story take you right from an explanation or a fleshing out of the "why" things are happening the way they are, to a no-holds-barred exciting rush of action and drama. And in all of that there is also a subtle development of the characters and an explanation of who they are becoming based on who they've been before and what they are going through now. There is a lot of growth for these characters throughout the book and it's fun to go along on their journey to a completely new place based on all the new experiences they are having.
This was a great start to what should be a really exciting trilogy! I am looking forward to book 2.
There is A LOT going on in this book, and I really enjoyed it.
This book has a number of things I enjoy, and a few that wouldn't normally grab me, but everything came together so well and I found myself completely drawn in to the story and excited to see how it was all going to play out.
The story is driven by a unique and interesting combination of history, myth, culture, fantasy and a smidgen of religious history, but it is all in service of the author's creative, entertaining, well-written and well-conceived plot. If you pay attention you will get an education on all these categories, but even if you don't care about any of them, there is an exciting, suspenseful and character-driven plot to draw in a reader.
Speaking of characters, if you like your books peopled with strong women, as I do, then this book is a jackpot full of them. Honesty compels me to say that of the three main characters in this series, Lily [the main focus of this book] probably isn't going to be my very favourite. I like her, and I sympathize with her situation, but she's a bit on the easily led and taken advantage of side in the beginning. Still, Lily absolutely pulls it together when the moment calls for it, and in the end she's a terrific character that is it very easy to like and root for.
I also really liked the pacing in this book. The ebbs and flows of the story take you right from an explanation or a fleshing out of the "why" things are happening the way they are, to a no-holds-barred exciting rush of action and drama. And in all of that there is also a subtle development of the characters and an explanation of who they are becoming based on who they've been before and what they are going through now. There is a lot of growth for these characters throughout the book and it's fun to go along on their journey to a completely new place based on all the new experiences they are having.
This was a great start to what should be a really exciting trilogy! I am looking forward to book 2.
meganann's review against another edition
5.0
Ashley McLeo has created a world unlike anything I’d read before. This is one of those books that kept me thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and coming back for more as soon as I could. She writes in a way that invokes all the senses, allowing the reader to picture the setting and characters effortlessly in their mind.
She’s created characters that feel very realistic, like old friends. I felt like I was there as Lily, Sara and Evelyn met their birth mother and her family. As they began to learn about their powers and who they are, I could see the magic and feel the emotions. As they struggled through the ups and downs their reactions were believable and felt very true to character for each of them.
Not only did I love the story and characters, but the back story for this world of magic is incredibly original. Without giving anything away, I can honestly say I’ve never read another quite like it! I loved how the pieces started to come together as the storyline progressed and I cannot wait to read the next book. McLeo is definitely an author worth watching!
She’s created characters that feel very realistic, like old friends. I felt like I was there as Lily, Sara and Evelyn met their birth mother and her family. As they began to learn about their powers and who they are, I could see the magic and feel the emotions. As they struggled through the ups and downs their reactions were believable and felt very true to character for each of them.
Not only did I love the story and characters, but the back story for this world of magic is incredibly original. Without giving anything away, I can honestly say I’ve never read another quite like it! I loved how the pieces started to come together as the storyline progressed and I cannot wait to read the next book. McLeo is definitely an author worth watching!
jennine's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book! It held my interest every second of this 6 hour read. Discriptive to the point that l was either living through her eyes or watching closely. So well written that it will stay in my library because l know l will read it again, infact it could be made into a movie. The important flashes to the past witches of 3 had me in suspense, can they do it in time? will it work? the door breaks down......Ahhh. see what l mean! Then there are the orphans and their trip to Ireland. The different personalities and tests. The visions of the past are fantastic and l can't say anymore! No spoilers from me but l could say so much more. SO SO RECOMMENDED!
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