Morgan's Musings
Just my rambling, plus whatever book I've recently read!
#BookoftheMonth - After the Summerland (The Witches of Spring Hill, #1) by Patricia A. Proctor28/11/2022 Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Blurb: Teen triplets are shocked to discover they are the reincarnation of three witches living on sacred land. The land magnifies their abilities, making them more powerful witches – and targets. They aren’t the only ones aware of the power the land gives . . . Chloe, Kaiden, and Rowan Alexander can’t wait to meet the new triplets that have just arrived in town. They are determined to find out if they are anything alike. The attraction is instant, though they soon discover they share more than just being fraternal triplets – in fact, Brianna, Cian, and Xavier Silvan are also witches with a secret of their own. They must overcome their distrust of each other and join together to fight a much stronger witch, who wants the sacred land for more than the power it gives. It’s a paranormal coming of age story where the teens discover the purpose of their existence, explore their new powers, new relationships, and overcome family secrets, all while becoming stronger witches. They must learn quickly so they can protect themselves and the people they love from the force of dark magic bearing down on them. My Thoughts: AFTER THE SUMMERLAND is the first book in The Witches of Spring Hill series and we start off in the past. That gives us a little history before we come back to the present, with the triplets now sixteen, and new witches moving into town. This was an enjoyable story with mystery and mayhem aplenty. The big bad was there causing trouble and without any hook to make you feel sorry for them. That went to Xavier as he tried to protect his siblings and figure out just what was right. If I had one complaint, it would be when they talked about their powers. I like it when it's spelled out for me, so I don't have to guess what those powers are. For Kaiden just to tell me his are coming in didn't really help. I went back a few pages just to make sure I hadn't missed anything, only to find out a couple of pages later just what those powers were. And why was it "Rowan, of all people," at the end? I enjoyed watching the teens grow during this book although I personally think they had it a touch too easy. If only coming into power was that easy and straightforward for everyone. All in all, an easy Young Adult story that wraps up nicely. I've always loved the written word, and in my heart, I knew I wanted to spend my life surrounded by books. My first series, The Witches of Spring Hill was born from a vivid dream that came to life in unimaginable ways.
My intention as a writer is to evoke in my readers that same gratification and pleasure that I have after reading an amazing book. By the end of my books, I hope that readers feel that same connection to my characters as I did when I wrote them to life.
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Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Literary Fiction Blurb: France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name. My Thoughts: This book was recommended to me by a very good friend, so thank you, Julia! Starting off in historical France, we meet Adeline LaRue, or Addie as she prefers to be known. Trapped in the times and the restraints of being a woman, Addie hopes to become an old spinster, or live out in the woods the same as her friend, Estelle, who tells her of the Old Ways. One warning she gives to Addie is to never pray to the Gods after dark, as the ones who answer will not be the ones you want. When she is forced to marry, she makes a desperate plea, not realising the sun has gone down. Her plea is answered but the cost is high. We stay with Addie as she learns to be a corporeal ghost, disappearing from people's memories the minute she is out of sight. The only constants in her life are a leather jacket, a wooden ring, and Luc. She travels through time, unable to write her name, text on a phone, send an email, be on a photograph - you get the idea. She figures out a way to make her mark on the world in different ways. I found this story to be very intriguing and loved the hints of the way the story was going that were dropped throughout. The writing is lyrical and very descriptive, full of emotions. However, in places, the story seemed to drag. And the 'romance' between Addie and Henry was about as exciting as watching paint dry. I don't believe she was in love with him at all, rather being in love with the idea of being with someone who remembered her. Addie herself is a confusing character. I liked parts of her, but not all, so just as in real life, I guess. I imagine wandering through the years as a ghost would turn the most optimistic of people dour, but she was too conniving, too sly, at times. Machinations for no apparent reason apart from just because. A thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing story that I have no hesitation in recommending. You may have to stick with it through the slower parts though. VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, the Villains series, the Cassidy Blake series and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her work has received critical acclaim, translated into over two dozen languages, and optioned for television and film. First Kill – a YA vampire series based on Schwab’s short story of the same name – is currently in the works at Netflix with Emma Roberts’ Belletrist Productions producing. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
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