Now in My Bookbag: The Secrets of Dargon, by Ciara Knight

It took a while for me to get caught up in this story, and it therefore took me longer to read. The previous book of this series, The Curse of Gremdon, captivated my imagination from the very first word.

The beginning of The Secrets of Dargon felt a bit sluggish, but the story began drawing me in about a fourth of the way through. Once it grabbed my attention, it began to reel me in. About halfway through, I was completely hooked.

From that point on, the story developed a better flow. The characters were strong, and became more complex as the rest of the story unfolded. Author Ciara Knight did a fantastic job of world building. She used descriptive words wisely without overdoing it. I felt a part of the story without feeling smothered by too many details.

The book was edited, and proofed, well. That certainly helped me stay within the story’s flow. I definitely appreciated that.

I enjoyed all of the action at the end. However, my favorite thing about the book was the major twist at the end. I did not see that coming, at all!

Overall the book was good, and I liked it. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: The Trouble with Spells by Lacey Weatherford (Of Witches and Warlocks #1)

This is a rather enchanting book with an unexpected mix of Wiccan and Christian doctrines. Vance, a troubled warlock, has been waiting patiently for Portia, the main character, to turn sixteen. That is when she discovers she is a witch and part of a strong coven. This genealogical revelation changes the course of her life, but not her beliefs.

Author Lacey Weatherford is a great storyteller. She does a good job weaving plot and characters together to create an engaging and enjoyable read. Her character development is well done, and the story becomes more and more exciting as the plot unfolds.

The only real problem with the book is the number of typos, from misspelled words to extra words thrown into sentences. It takes away from the story’s flow and is very distracting.

Other than the need for more editing, this book is very good. 4 1/4 stars

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Now in My Bookbag: Deceit (A Beastly Tale Part 2) by M.J. Haag

Deceit is a beautifully written, heartwarming, heart breaking read. Haag is a magnificent storyteller. The result of her skill is a magical tale and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Benella’s choices are almost always based in logic. She realizes that to free herself, she must first free The Beast. The Beast’s decisions are purely tied to his emotions. He has, after all, been cursed to live in the body of an animal for fifty years. The beauty of the story lies in the complex relationship between the two.

Deceit is intelligent, enticing and a wonderful treat for the imagination. The cliffhanger is shocking, heartbreaking and well thought out.  It is a 5 star book and a must read.