Spellmaker by Charlie Holmberg

Nice conclusion to the new duology from Charlie Holmberg that comes out next week! I have never read a Holmberg book that didn't keep my attention from page one. Many a time I have actually found myself cracking a novel open at breakfast, and then it's time for dinner and I haven't moved from my chair.

I am simply sticking with a rating of nice, though, because I felt like there was more story to eek out. Not necessarily an entire third novel, but there were some details I really missed. First Holmberg conclusion I wasn't really satisfied with.

Despite the missing finer points, the escapades of Elsie Camden are exactly the light, fluffy read when I want to be entertained. They are light-hearted but moving. There is some romance, but it's not saucy or loud. The magic system is intricate and completely fascinating. Bacchus, Ogden, Emmeline, et al, are completely charming. The villain is villainous. It all works the way it should in an alternate Victorian novel.

I'll be ordering my copy for sure and highly recommend everyone else do so as well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm such a Mopsies junkie!

Image
All right, let's get back on track here. I have resettled from my vacation euphoria to one of the best countries on the globe, completed my interview for the book tour of two amazing authors, and settled in my inherited chickens. Yes, you read me correctly. I am now the proud owner of seven chickens of varying breeds. My neighbors are moving and did not plan on relocating the chickens with them, so I am now the proud mama hen. As my title states I'm such a Mopsies junkie. And, I also now have time to give you this wonderful review. A Lady of Spirit by Shelley Adina This go around we get to delve into the back story for the other half of the Mopsies, Maggie de Maupassant... or is it? You will have to read to find out.  While we once again get a  delicate braid of Lizzie's (and possibly Tigg's) and the Lady's story within Maggie's , each novel is completely unique to fit the very unique identity of the girls. While they may have grown up attached at the hi...
Read more

Ga-ga-ga-gas-Lit City

Image
Welcome to February everyone. Hope you have all unburied from the snowmagedpocalypse readers in the Northeast. Just in time for some new powder to flurry down and send you back indoors to read my reviews on what to read to get you through the winter doldrums. Today we certainly have just that. The Custodian of Marvels by Rod Duncan And my world has been righted! We are back with Elizabeth Barnabus as she was in The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter. I'm all tingly. Not that Unseemly Science  was a complete let down; I just really feel that the magic (or circus dust?) wasn't there from the first novel. Apparently that is because it all built up and got swept to this novel.  We have the original troupe together for some Ocean's Eleven shenanigans as they attempt to rob the International Patent Office (gasp for dramatic effect). The humor and wit have returned to the original level because everyone knows all about best laid plans. While I like Julia, her relegation back to ...
Read more

The most mind-boggling book I've ever read

Image
... and the mind-boggled review to go with it. This book was the most unique reading experience I have ever had in decades of reading. Assassin Queen by Anna Kashina This week we have the final novel of the "Majat Code" trilogy. I previously reviewed the first and second novels and have read a short companion novella as well. Some may recall me raving about the first novel and being slightly disappointed about the turn of the second novel. The novella was more in tune with Blades of the Old Empire  and added to the hype for The Guild of Assassins . So with the letdown from the latter book, why did I get the third? More importantly, how did I feel about it? Redeemed and exacerbated. How can you feel both of those at once? That is the mystery of the third novel of the "Majat Code." There were some extremely awesome, butt-kicking scenes reminiscent of "Blades," and the romance from "Guild" was still included. I was excited and disappoint...
Read more