Touched by Magic(Razor’s Edge Chronicles, #1) by Celine Jeanjean – Review

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5 stars, Adventure, Book Review, Celine Jeanjean, dogs, fantasy, magic, series, talking cats, urban fantasy

About Touched by Magic by Celine Jeanjean

I’m Apiva.  No, I’m not a badass magical asassin.  I’m a barber to the supernatural.  My magic is very weak and very niche — it works best with keeping things clean.  I know.  I can sense your awe at my power already.  And I’m sure you can see why barbering suits me well.

Although now that I’ve mastered the art of trimming a weretiger’s regrowth, my biggest challenge is fielding the insults of the shop’s cat. Sometimes I wish I had enough magic to go deeper into the city’s magical underbelly.  You know what they say—be careful what you wish for.

Everything changes when a pair of forest fae come into the shop one night, asking for help to protect their youngling. Something’s got them properly spooked, but they won’t say what. If it’s big and bad enough to scare the fae, it’s most definitely powerful enough to make a mouthful of me—probably a small mouthful, at that. And now that the fae have come to me, whatever’s after them is also after me.

My weak magic and a sarcastic cat for backup are unlikely to be enough to keep me alive and save the fae youngling.  There is someone who’s willing to help me—Sarroch. Arrogant, unpleasant, wealthy, and I don’t even know what kind of magical creature he is beneath his human form. Or what his motives are in offering to help.  I have no idea if I can trust him, but I’m so short on allies, I might not have a choice. I just hope I’m not making a huge mistake…

Grab Touched by Magic to see if I make it. Oh, and don’t get offended if the cat insults you…

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Review of Touched by Magic

I was very excited to get this first book in a new series by Celine Jeanjean.  I loved her Viper and Urchin series, so I have high expectations for this new one.  Book 1 did not disappoint!

The author has created a lovely detailed vision of Panong, the city where Apiya lives and barbers. The east Asian influence is evident in many ways: food, dress, transportation and, most importantly, in the folklore – the magical creatures, also known as the Mayak.  Many of the terms were not not familiar to me, prompting me to do a little research.  But the story gives plenty of definition and context so you will not need to do that research.  The Mayak is comprised of many different magical beings, each with their own agenda.  Those Mayak agendas will play into the story not only in this first book, but in the ongoing story.

Apiya is, as the title says, touched by magic.  That means she is not very magical but seems to be very lucky around things that are familiar to her.  Which explains why Hunter, the dog she loves, mostly sheds outside.  All this animal lover can say is Wow! What a great idea.  As a touched human, Apiya is also aware of all the other more powerful magical beings.  And while most of the Mayak believe Apiya to be beneath notice, a few do notice her.  Which is how she gets into a sticky situation.

Along for the adventure are Mr. Sangong, her magical mentor, her touched friend Chai, and businessman/Mayak Sarroch.  I found Mr. Sangong to be mysterious and not yet worthy of my loyalty because I’m not sure of his loyalty.  Chai is an artist with a talent for shaping any type of metal into whatever he wants.  And he is a great friend to Apiya, so, good guy.  Sarroch is the big question.  Is he good?  Is he evil? Will he help Apiya or eat her?  He is, I must admit, interesting.

I enjoyed Apiya’s relationship with her with parents.  They live in London, so she talks to them by phone.  Dad is a geeky scholar who barely knows how to use a phone and Mom is the calming voice of reason in the family.  Their family sense of humor is delightful!  Humor also comes in the form of a cat.  Timothy is a magical cockney cat, who doesn’t take orders from ‘inferiors’ (humans).  As Apiya says: ‘But that’s cats for you — tiny animals with enough arrogance to think they rule the world.”

The book ends on what I consider to be a cliffhanger.  That is, a major part of the storyline concluded and then the story continued, without the word ‘epilogue’ in between.  So I was a truly disappointed when it ended somewhat abruptly.  Touched by Magic is just 195 pages long and it was over too fast.  The next book is out next month though, so the wait is not long.  I am looking forward to more of Apiya’s adventures!

Thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

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The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson – Review

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5 stars, Abigail Wilson, Book Review, gothic, historical, mystery, Regency, romance

About The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson

Haunted by the assault she’s kept hidden over the past four years, Charity Halliwell finally has a chance to return home to the quaint village she left more than five years before and the happy life she wants so badly to reclaim. All she needs is good conversation with her old friend and an opportunity to find a governess position, and she can leave the fear and guilt behind. But the family who agrees to her yearlong visit turns out to be a far cry from the one she thought she knew, particularly when her friend disappears and the one man she made certain would not be at the house is forced to return. How can she possibly heal and claim her independence when day in, day out she must face the only gentleman who ever held a piece of her heart?

Piers Cavanagh was branded a coward when he failed to show up for a duel he arranged. He had his reasons, of course, but disclosing them would hurt far more than continuing life as an outcast. And worse, with the mysterious departure of his sister, the strange nightly occurrences in the ruins of an old abbey, and the uncomfortable whispers of a secret organization, Piers must overcome his aversion to society and work with the last person he ever thought he would get the chance to speak to again—the girl whose heart he had no choice but to break.

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Review of The Vanishing at Loxby Manor

Abigail Wilson has perfected the historical mystery/romance formula.  The Vanishing at Loxby Manor  has all the elements that are required: a strong heroine who must overcome her 19th century restrictions, a hero who must overcome his own obstacles, a missing friend, and a secret society.  These elements combined with an atmospheric setting, a country manor with it’s own haunted ruins, imbue the tale with a gothic aura.

Piers Cavanaugh’s family is an eclectic group of characters.  Each seems to be hiding something, but you don’t know if what they are hiding is sinister or harmless.  The same can be said of the group of friends that includes Piers’ brother Avery.   Which means, when Seline Cavanaugh goes missing, there is no lack of questionable characters to suspect.   And there is no easy answer to the mystery.  So many clues, so many plots and sub-plots.  Expect to not solve the mystery until very near the end!

As Charity Halliwell tries to find her missing friend, Piers seems to be the only one she feels she can trust.  These two have a past which should keep them apart.  It is a testament to what can only be described as love that they do trust each other.  However, they both have secrets, so trust may be tested.

Heroine Charity Halliwell has impaired hearing, something rarely seen in romance novels.  Having someone in my life that suffers some of the same crowed-room hearing issues, I was immediately drawn to Charity and also to Piers, who understands Charity’s difficulties and goes out of his way to make sure she can hear him.

The Vanishing at Loxby Manor takes place in the same era as Ms. Wilson’s other books.  There is a teeny bit of overlap between novels – from an historical perspective. But they are completely standalone stories.

I am a fan of Ms. Wilson.  I’ve now read 3 of her 4 Regency mystery romances.  They are all wonderful!

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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The Rising Rooks (The Viper and the Urchin, #9) by Celine Jeanjean – Review

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5 stars, Adventure, Book Review, Celine Jeanjean, fantasy, favorite series, series, Steampunk

In 2016, on January 16th my very first Whiskey With My Book review was for The Viper and the Urchin. The name of the book was later been changed to The Bloodless Assassin with the original title becoming the series name. Today, on the 5th anniversary of my first blog post, my review is for The Rising Rooks, the last book in the series. It has been a very fun and entertaining journey with Rory, Longinus and the rest of the crew. Hopefully, you have had a chance to read about their adventures.

About The Rising Rooks by Celine Jeanjean

The Rising Rooks, the Rookery rebels, are mounting an attack against Garrata that they hope will destabilise her enough to weaken her grip on Damsport.

But not only does the mission fail, its failure causes a rift between the Rising Rooks and the rest of Damsport.

Rory and Longinus find themselves retreating to the Rookery without support from the rest of the city and without resources. They’ll have to use all their ingenuity and inimitable style to somehow get to Garrata.

Whether it’s cutting Rory’s hair, robbing a post office, or creating dastardly poisons, Rory and Longinus fight with everything they’ve got.

Will they succeed, or will they fail to free Damsport? If they go down, at least they’ll be going down in style…

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Review of The Rising Rooks

Finale’s are hard to read.  When the characters have become near and dear to your heart, the last adventure is approached with trepidation.  Will everyone get their HEA?  Are you happy with the ending?  Do you wish there were more?  I’ve read my fair share of series finales of series that I loved, only to find the author totally messed up the ending. 

And then there is The Rising Rooks.   This book is really just another Viper and Urchin story.  It includes all the usual wonderful, endearing characters, Rory, Longinus, Rafe, Cruikshank, Adelma, the Marchioness and all their colorful and varied associates: Susie the restaraunteer , Mercy the miopic horder/analyst, Tess the ever-patient, sweet-tempered maid, Kriss the owner of the Old Girls Arms, Rafe’s father Lord Standarr and children Tommy, Pip and Alice.  Also, old friends from Azyr: Urzo, Reheeme, and Tabir.

The usual suspects make their appearance also:  Myran, Garata, Voynia.  Though Myran is less a suspect now.

The Rising Rooks also bring together elements of the overall story arc that remind you have where you have been on this journey.  The Rookery, Damsport, the trolley, the shipyards, the palace, the underground, Azyr, Airnia, The Old Girl’s Arms, and Susie’s coffeehouse.  

Rory has always been a heroine.  Whether it is her astute observations, her connections, or her unwavering support for her friends, Rory is the shining light in these stories.  In Rising Rooks, Rory’s mysterious history is revealed.  Longinus is the unflappable fashion plate who’s observations have been an unending source of both wisdom and hilarity.  In Rising Rooks, Longinus comes face to face with what he has been searching for.

With the amazing characters, and colorful settings combined with the current plot that began with The Veiled War, the finale is a glorious climax to a wonderful series.  I am sad to see it end, but I am also very happy with how it ended!

Thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

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