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Review: All Her Lies by Matt McGregor

★★★☆☆ Review: First, I would like to thank Inkubator Books for providing me with a free advanced reader copy of this book. This is my honest review. Fiction or rehearsal? Taking a job on a homestead owned by a thriller author and her husband seems like the ideal fresh start for Brie, who is escaping a controlling relationship. But being barred from using internet-enabled devices is unsettling, and is the author contemplating new twists for her next novel, or something more sinister? Brie’s entanglement in the couple’s lives leaves her questioning who can be trusted. All Her Lies starts out strong, and I quickly became engrossed in the plot. Brie is an unlikeable protagonist, but it’s hard not to root for her. As the novel progressed, though, I began to lose interest. Not only was the romantic subplot rushed and unbelievable, but the twists began to feel overdone. The story has good bones but lacks depth. Audience : adult Trigger warnings : violence Recommend...
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Review: The Bone Key by Mary Rajotte


★★★☆☆

Review:

First, I would like to thank the author and Book Sirens for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Valeria is the daughter of the High Priestess of her coven, but she lacks the ability to shapeshift into an owl and fly. Doubting herself leads to her position as the High Priestess’s Maiden being given to another witch, Olivia. When her best friend dies as a result of her actions, Valeria runs south to San Diego to her late father’s coven. Still, Los Cazardores track her, seeking access to the Elixir that gives the witches the ability to shapeshift. Valeria must find the power within herself to protect her covens and discover why Los Cazadores have broken the treaty after so many years of peace.

Being from San Diego made this book so much more real for me. It was fun to imagine all of this magic happening in my hometown. Unfortunately, this book, in my opinion, was too predictable. I understand that it has a basis in folklore, but it was very formulaic overall and lacked the spark necessary to make it a standout read. The imagery was great and Valeria’s growth is uplifting, but I failed to connect with the book as a whole.

Audience: adult
Trigger warnings: violence, animal death, death
Recommended for fans of: fantasy, witches, magical realism, folklore

Publisher's Synopsis:

Centuries ago, the First Witch of the Aquelarre Buho coven conjured the ability to transform into an owl. Since then, a faction of hunters known as Los Cazadores has been intent on stealing that magic for their own...

As Valeria hones her craft, her hopes of being granted the power to shape-shift are disrupted by a terrifying vision. A haunting woman appears in the shadows as she did when Valeria was a child, a foreboding omen that culminates in the murder of her best friend, Gwen. Seeking solace, Valeria flees south to reconnect to her roots. Still, her journey turns bittersweet when painful memories of her father’s death resurface and fuel her determination to protect those she loves.

As Valeria delves into darker magic, she discovers her abilities are stronger than anyone knew. But just as her confidence soars, the hunters return intent on stealing the Elixir the witches rely upon for their transformative powers.

Can Valeria invoke the bravery needed to protect her coven’s legacy for future generations of owl witches? Or will Los Cazadores finally take the very thing they’ve spent centuries pursuing?

Source:

 Book Sirens

©Quill & Crow Publishing House: October 20, 2024
Edition: Digital ARC
299 pages

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