Ghost Light (Ivy Granger, #2) by E.J. Stevens – Audiobook Review

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5 stars, audiobook, Book Review, E.J. Stevens, fae, ghosts, paranormal, series, Tracy Odom, wisp, witches

About Ghost Light by E.J. Stevens, Narrated by Tracy Odom

Ivy Granger, psychic detective, thought she’d seen it all…until now.

With a vengeful lamia that only she can see on the city streets, reports of specters walking Harborsmouth cemeteries, and an angry mob of faerie clients at her office door, it’s bound to be a long night. Add in an offense against the faerie courts and a few foolish bargains and one thing is clear – Ivy Granger is in some seriously deep trouble.

Ivy Granger is back, gathering clues in the darkest shadows of downtown Harborsmouth. With the lives of multiple clients on the line, she’s in a race against time. Ivy finally has a lead to the whereabouts of the one person who can help her control her wisp abilities, but will she put the needs of her clients above her own?

If Ivy doesn’t find a solution soon, she could wind up a ghost herself.

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Review of Ghost Light

Yes, I’ve been reading and/or listening to this series out of order.  But it works for me.  So it can work for you. 

Ivy Granger is a psychic/fae/princess/wisp/human/ detective.  Don’t worry, the book tells you about all of these aspects of Ivy’s DNA.  In Ghost Light, Ivy and Jinx take on a case to find a host of missing children.  In the meantime, the ex-wife of Ivy’s boyfriend, Ceff, King of the Kelpies, plots revenge while the happy couple get to know each other.  Also, Ivy begins the search for her father after announcing her princessship to the fae world.  The plot winds around several storylines and relationships but comes together nicely at the end, with hints of future events. 

I listened to the audiobook, nicely narrated by Tracy Odom.  Thanks to the author who gave away some audiobooks – I was lucky enough get this one.   My review is my honest opinion.

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The Vanished Days (Scottish/Slains, #3) Susanna Kearsley – Review

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5 stars, Book Review, favorite series, historical, Jacobites, romance, Scotland, series, Susanna Kearsley

About The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley

There are many who believe they know what happened, but they do not know the whole of it. The rumours spread, and grow, and take their hold, and so to end them I have been persuaded now to take my pen in hand and tell the story as it should be told…
 
Autumn, 1707. Old enemies from the Highlands to the Borders are finding common ground as they join to protest the new Union with England, the French are preparing to launch an invasion to carry the young exiled Jacobite king back to Scotland to reclaim his throne, and in Edinburgh the streets are filled with discontent and danger.
 
Queen Anne’s commissioners, seeking to calm the situation, have begun settling the losses and wages owed to those Scots who took part in the disastrous Darien expedition eight years earlier.
 
When Lily, the young widow of a Darien sailor, comes forward to collect her husband’s wages, her claim is challenged, and one of the men who’s assigned to examine her has only days to decide if she’s honest, or if his own feelings are making him blind to the truth, and if he’s being used as a pawn in an even more treacherous game.

A story of intrigue, adventure, endurance, romance…and the courage to hope.

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Review of The Vanished Days

The Vanished Days is told through the narrator, Sergeant Adam Williamson, as he investigates the claim of Lily Aitcheson.  The first person viewpoint tells the reader that Williamson is telling his personal tale.  The third person perspective means that Williamson is telling someone else’s tale with details provided by the many witness he questioned.  The effect is to create a dual storyline, a method often used by Susanna Kearsley, as her readers will be aware.

The book centers on Lily’s story:  from her childhood with its happy, memorable moments to the days when it appears the world is against her.  Lily perseveres through many trials using her own grit and sometimes getting help from friends and family.  Ultimately, there are terrible men using their power over women.  But there are also good men who will do what is right.  The Vanished Days has a few characters to boo and curse at, but even more to hope for, weep for and cheer for. 

There is a great deal of withholding of information by the narrator (or by the author).  One of the characters, Robert Moray, said “All men do leave pieces out when they tell tales.”   This is evident in the way the characters lives intersect in ways the reader does not imagine they will intersect.  When the facts are revealed, the revelations are pleasantly surprising and may even bring tears of joy.  If you have read Ms. Kearsley’s books, you are familiar with the path she likes to take.

Slains and Scottish are the two series names that now appear to be attached to this book.  Whatever you call it, The Vanished Days is pure Kearsley storytelling magic.  If you enjoyed The Winter Sea and/or The Firebird, I recommend you check out The Vanished Days.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book so I could bring you my honest review.

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A Song of Flight (Warrior Bards, #) by Juliet Marillier

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5 stars, Book Review, fantasy, favorite, Ireland, Juliet Marillier, music, series

About A Song of Flight by Juliet Marillier

Two warriors. One wields the power of music, one the strength of her sword. Both face a grave threat in this enthralling historical fantasy.

After a violent encounter with masked men and the sinister Crow Folk, Prince Aolu of Dalriada disappears without a trace, and his companion Galen is seriously injured.

Liobhan and the Swan Island warriors seek answers to the prince’s abduction. For Liobhan this mission is personal, as Galen is her beloved brother.

While she and her team investigate, Liobhan’s younger brother Brocc is in serious trouble. Brocc’s secret attempt to communicate with the Crow Folk triggers a shocking incident, and sends him on a path which endangers the one he loves above all else.

What brought the Crow Folk to Erin? And who plots to use them in an unscrupulous bid for power? As Liobhan and Brocc seek the truth, it becomes clear the two missions are connected – and an extraordinary mystery unfolds.

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Review of A Song of Flight

I am such a sucker.  I prefer to project a life of easy happiness on my favorite characters.  But this author pulls that rug out from under me every time. This time Brocc and his baby daughter are kicked out of their home all because he was trying to bridge a very wide communication gap with the Crow Folk. 

At the same time, the Prince of Aolu disappears while in the company of Galen (Brocc’s brother.)  It is up to the Swan Island Warriors, to find the prince.  Galen and Brocc’s sister Liobhan is one such warrior as is her lover Dau.  So, as you can see, this story will be a story of family. 

And much more.  As these adventures go, paths will cross.  Old enemies will emerge, new enemies will arise.  The Crow Folk, will begin to be understood.  An old tale reveals a curse that may explain much.  A Song of Flight has so many things going on.  Master storyteller Juliet Marillier does a very fine job of weaving all the threads together. 

Blackthorn and Grimm (parents of Galen, Brocc and Liobhan) have small roles in this story, which I love because I am such a fan of the Blackthorn and Grimm series. 

Intrigue had me imagining all varieties of outcomes – terrible and wonderful!  And all through the story, the characters emotions tugged at my own heart.  I always want Liobhan and Dau to be together and Brocc needs his happy ending.  But as a reader of fantasy, I know they will have to overcome many challenges before they get to that point.  I love, love, love this enchanting story and the series!

Thanks to the publisher who provided a copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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