OWL'S FAIR

Owl's Fair by Leanne Leeds
Book 2 in the Owl Star Witch Mysteries
Narrated by Naomi Rose-Mock
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Owl's Fair:

I get the divine talking owl bit. I understand the part about star magic. But if the “goddess” knows someone’s going to die, couldn’t she send a file with information on how to stop it instead of a sparkly card?

As a witch who was used to being told where to go and what to do for the greater good — after all, that’s how the witch military worked — being told what to do with the rest of my life by a goddess I didn’t believe in and a talking owl with a chip on his shoulder wasn’t all that far-fetched. The military prepared me to accept all sorts of things that make no sense.

But at least in the military, I had a manual.

During Alice Windrow’s card reading with my sister Ami, the glowing star card announces she is marked for death by someone and marked for rescue by the “goddess Athena.” Mom tells me the cheerful girl is known throughout Forkbridge for her philanthropy (funded by a distant relative’s substantial inheritance.) Alice claims she only wanted assurance that the marathon she sponsored will come off without a hitch. Nothing crazy going on in her life.

And yet someone wants her dead.

Can we unravel the plot in time to stop Alice’s murder? Or will the generous girl find that her marathon is officially over — for good?

Source: Info in the "About Owl's Fair" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60560022-owl-s-fair on 14/05/2022.

Buy Link(s):

 

Pistachio

My Thoughts:

Like the first book, this one has more than just from A to B plot. For an urban fantasy, this series sure is good in the plot department! It is also good in the character development department. None of that "too stupid to live" (TSTL) nonsense where the protagonist acts out of character to create a dilemma in the story to the point of unrecognizability. Take Pistachio for example... beautifully crafted character! I recommend this book to all urban fantasy readers!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (6 hrs and 24 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries


Books In Owl Star Witch Mysteries:

 

Meet The Author

About Leanne Leeds:

Leanne Leeds writes witty, funny, and exciting paranormal cozy mysteries that are light-hearted explorations of offbeat small-town America. With a cast of quirky characters inhabiting her fictional world, Leanne provides a unique blend of comedy, clues, and twisty action — all with a touch of magic that keeps readers turning pages.

You can also visit her at leanneleeds.com for free stories, to join her newsletter.

leanneleeds.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | bookbub | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Naomi Rose-Mock:

Hi! I have recorded 100 plus audiobooks, I specialize in fiction with large casts of distinct characters. I am also an acting/dialect coach with over a decade of professional experience.

website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

HEARTWOOD MAGE

Heartwood Mage by James Haddock
Narrated by Daniel Wisniewski
Book 1 in the Heart Mage series
Genre: fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Heartwood Mage:

When they hanged mage Baron Homburg and his family for treason, they missed one of his sons. The fourth son, ten-year-old Dale, witnessed the execution of his family, and something inside him broke. Two things happened that day: one, Dale became a borderline sociopath, and two, his mage abilities manifested at almost full strength, especially his wood or forest magic. That night he used his new wood magic to hang the earl who ordered the killing of his family.

Now he has only one thing on his mind, killing all those involved in killing his family or seeing them brought to justice. But he also wants the inheritance of his father’s title and lands. The only person who can give him that is the king, so he must petition the king for restitution.

Before he can petition the king, he finds out that the king plans to kill him. Because if the kingdom finds out who’s responsible for the murder of the Homburg family, the minor nobles and landowners would revolt against the crown screaming for justice. Those guilty are the king’s greatest supporters, which he would have to hang. The king cannot allow that to happen.

Seeing that the nobility is against him, Dale goes into hiding and changes his name to Eric Heartwood. Eric begins killing his enemies rather than negotiating a peaceful settlement. Eric decides that since nobility doesn’t play by the rules or laws, neither will he.

But Eric has a lot to learn about people and their motives. It seems almost everyone will lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to get ahead in the world. So Eric follows suit, killing those who oppose him, until he meets a kindly merchant and his wife. They show him kindness, which tempers his blood lust, but not by much. Follow mage Eric Heartwood as his powers grow and he is confronted by enemies at every turn. He tries to reconcile what he feels is just and what society says is just. He finds that most times, it’s just easier to kill your enemies.

Source: Info in the "About Heartwood Mage" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199056952-heartwood-mag on 05/04/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

I like the story. I like the premise. And the story telling quality is compelling. I know the story is a bit blasé. But this is a fiction book. I'm an escapist reader. I like my reads to take me away from reality. So they do not have to be totally truthful.

There are little plots and resolutions along the story. It follows our main protagonist as he adventures on to find love and betrayal. Happiness and pain. I think that the author is wrong in calling him a psychopath because he is capable of empathy. He is just neurodivergent.

Louise in A Game Of Ghosts by John Connolly is a sociopath. Bill in Tuesday's Child by Dale Mayer is a psychopath. And I think our hero is none of those.

Daniel Wisniewski has a deep bass of a voice and it suits our hero.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (8 hrs and 17 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Heart Mage Series:

 

Meet The Author

About James Haddock:

My first career was as a Warrant Officer in the US Army, I am now retired with 22 years of service under my belt. Moving into the next phase of my life, I am a full-time author and RV'er. After seeing everyone else's Country during my first career, we decided to see our own. My wife and I enjoy traveling to see the wonders of America.

I love reading and watching Sci-Fi books, television shows, and movies. To think, "what if" and "why not." I am a pantser writer, I'll get an idea, or see a photo and think, "that would make a great story!". Writing as a pantser, to me, is like reading a new story. I have no idea where the story is going to end up. Writing the way gets me excited to pick up a pen; I look forward to writing each time, and can't wait to write many more.

www.jameshaddock.us | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Daniel Wisniewski:

Audio book Narrator, Character Voices, Baritone, Bass, Tenor, Heroes, Villains, Dark, Bright, Young, Old, Comedy, Tragedy, Accents, Dialects.

I am a New York based actor who has performed across a variety of platforms both domestically and internationally. I am also a graduate of Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre, have studied and worked as a dialect coach, have access to a professional grade studio, and am an experienced editor. When not performing, I can usually be found either leading my friends on a DnD campaign or playing in one myself (usually as a dashing Half-Elf bard or brazen Half-Orc fighter).

www.danielwisniewskiactor.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | youtube | linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

MAGIC SIGHT

Magic Sight by Leia Stone and Lucía Ashta
Book 2 of the Supernatural Bounty Hunter series
Narrated by Kate Marcin
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Magic Sight:

When Evie found out she was knocked up with the alpha's baby and a rare Kitsune with untold power, she thought life couldn't get anymore complicated.

Then she was told she was also the guardian of the gate to the underworld and that her dad was still alive. Now she has 48 hours to bring in the Siren who started this whole fiasco in the first place.

What could go wrong?

*18 and up recommended reading age. Sexy times and cussing are sure to be found in this series.

Source: Info in the About Magic Sight was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43384275-magic-sight on 14/08/2019.

Buy Link(s):

My Thoughts:

The story started right where the first book left off and ended right in the middle of the story. So this one is more like a chapter of a bigger book. The start was began in Maigc Bite and the continuation will be in the subsequent installments in the series. Therefore, plot-wise this book hasn't got much. In fact, if one reads Magic Sight on its own, the reader will be mightily confused because a lot of the explanations are in the previous book. I really like the premise of this book so the poor plot building and the cliffhanger ending is really a downer! And I don't like cliffhangers, so I probably wouldn't be reading further into this series...

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 3.5
Story itself = 1.5
Writing Style = 3
Ending = 1
World building = 4
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 2
Plot = 1
Narration = 4

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Supernatural Bounty Hunter Series:

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Meet The Authors

About Leia Stone:

Leia Stone is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Matefinder series which is optioned for flim, and the Hive Trilogy. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two kids and her dog. When she is not chasing around her twin son and daughter, or writing, she has her nose shoved in a book. She wrote her first book when she was 23 years old. Keep reading and live with purpose.

www.leiastone.com | twitter | instagram | facebook | bookbub | linkedin | amazon | goodreads

About Lucía Ashta:

I'm Lucía Ashta, creator of alternate realities and the kind of stories I like to get lost in as a reader. I love magical adventures (the more magical, the better!) that fascinate me with their twists, turns, and wild characters, both human and otherwise, so that's what I write. Fresh stories that move beyond the ordinary to explore what's possible when we suspend disbelief.

A former architect and attorney, I now get to dedicate myself full-time to bringing life to worlds I wish existed. Since I get to live in these other worlds through my writing much of the time, i consider myself pretty lucky.

Sign up for my newsletter to find out about new releases, giveaways, and sales and to receive a free book at: http://luciaashta.com/newsletter.

www.luciaashta.com | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Kate Marcin:

I do voiceover so that I can help bring my client’s projects to life with a voice that sounds real and relatable. I absolutely love it. Since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with the performing arts. Now working for clients like Google, Dell and Skechers, I feel most comfortable embodying that relaxed, conversational, down-to-earth millennial spirit. Why am I telling you all this? Because I want to make your choice of who you hire as easy as possible so that your boss gives you the keys to her brand new Tesla and let’s you take over her corner office on the same day she’s come down with measles and has almost been pecked to death by a pigeon. Seriously, I’m here to help.

katemarcin.com | twitter | linkedin

FTC Disclosure:
The different formats of this book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.