Review: Realms of Magic: A Spellcasters Short Story Collection by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

Realms of Magic: A Spellcasters Short Story Collection by Ashley McLeo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice collection of short stories that will whet your appetite to read the series they are connected to.

The Nutcracker Curse Prequel by Margo Ryerkerk

Philip is the guard to Princess Clara and has been warned that he needs to remember his place and keep his distance from her even though they are best friends. This tells of a fantastical tale from when he goe along with Clara on a strange odyssey into a magical realm to help a mermaid via a key and an old trunk.

This story certainly helps me understand the relationship between Philip and Clara in the main series but is also a little off the wall and strange. It is however well written and easy to understand.

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Review: Kingdom of Sand and Wishes: A limited edition of Aladdin retellings by J.A. Armitage by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

Kingdom of Sand and Wishes: A limited edition of Aladdin retellings by J.A. Armitage by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Djinn Curse by Margo Ryerkerk - 4*

Roxelana was forced to become a Djinn 100 years ago and has been waiting for her shot at freedom. However to do that she needs to sacrifice the sultan prince to the djinn king however she hesitates after observing the care that he takes with his people. Who will she choose - herself or him?

Nice story with a great reason for her torment over the decision. Well written and very pleasant to read.

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Review: Phoenix Unleashed by Margo Ryerkerk 5 of 5 stars

Phoenix Unleashed by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With Bahadur awake Sierra is determined to stop him but her impulsiveness backfires and they are all in a worse position. So she travels across the world to find a magical object which will give her a fighting chance against him. However, he is several steps ahead of her and makes a very surprising move. Will she still find a way to defeat him or is all lost?

Wow, this was an explosive final book in the series where Sierra and the rest of the team struggled with setback after setback in their attempts to defeat Bahadur and save the world. Intermingled with that was the story of Sierra and Gavin's relationship and how it was developing, how duty sometimes came in the way as they struggled to find a way to defeat such a very clever and well-prepared enemy. Well written it was definitely a fitting ending to the series that kept me guessing right up to the end as to whether they would defeat Bahadur and if Gavin and Sierra would have the time to work on their relationship. A great read.

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Review: The Hansel and Gretel Curse by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

The Hansel and Gretel Curse by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On their 17th birthday Hansel disappears with a mysterious and wicked witch who steals the will power of humans in order to turn them in slaves. Gretel is determined to rescue him and either leave with him or die trying. Stefan's kingdom is currently under an evil force as an evil witch is poisoning the royal family and the country as a whole so he determines to try to bring her to justice. Not an easy task as an enchantment only allows one soldier in to the forest at a time. However it becomes apparent he does not have to fight this battle alone when he meets Gretel who becomes he unlikely partner and ally. Can they overcome all the obstacles and trials as well as untangle the romantic feelings they are developing for each other. Can thy outsmart the witch and free Hansel?

This is a charming spin on the Hansel and Gretel fairy-tale featuring a witch and a slow burn love story. I enjoyed the way the story developed and the relationship development for the characters which ended up being both determined and sweet. Well written it was very enjoyable to read.

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Review: The Bluebeard Curse: Cursed Fairy Tale: Book 2 by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

The Bluebeard Curse: Cursed Fairy Tale: Book 2 by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nolan Bluebeard fled after finding his sister with a knife over his parents' dead bodies and so after his life gets more complicated when girls last seen with him drown. Instead he makes a fortune importing goods but after five years he has to return and take over his title and responsibilities. However friends treat him with suspicion, the town has not forgotten and so life becomes very complicated. Jolie knows all the rules about interaction with the nobility but she finds she cannot stay away from him even if being close to him could risk everything she has worked hard for. Can she help Nolan to rebuild his reputation and break the curse even when women around him start dying again?

This was a lovely second instalment in the Cursed Fairytales series. I loved the way they were described in detail so that I could imagine them in my mind. It was a lovely story that centred around hate and evilness and how love and purity could enable their survival. It was sensitively told and it was easy to feel the thoughts and emotions of the characters. A good read that definitely tempts me to read the next one in the series.

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Review: The Nutcracker Curse by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

The Nutcracker Curse by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clara is the Crown Princess of Austria and her father has decreed that she must marry one of the foreign Princes visiting the kingdom - something she is not ready to do - she enjoys her freedom. However the choice of Princes becomes the least of her worries when she picks up a spelled nutcracker and a deadly curse on her is released. She has twelve days to find and feed a special nut called the Crackatook to the nutcracker or her soul will be trapped in the toy and she will be turned to wood. She decides that she cannot (and will not) rely on the Princes but will depart on her unicorn and solve it herself. However her childhood best friend Phillip intercepts her and gives her a stark choice - return to the castle or let him come along and help her. So she agrees to have him go on the journey with her across different realms with mythical creatures. Can they survive and can the find the Crackatook before Clara's soul is trapped and she turns to wood?

This is a charming story that is a lovely fantasy spin on the fairy-tale that had a very happily ever after ending to it. I loved the determination in Clara to not only get to the bottom of the curse to save her life but also to do the right thing and be kind to everyone too. Well written and easy to read it became quite addictive wanting to know what is going to happen next.

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Review: Phoenix Call by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

Phoenix Call by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sierra might have removed many of her uncle's generals but he is determined to keep on and get more power. Unfortunately what he is planing on doing will destroy the planet - the Phoenix Emblem was broken into two pieces 300 years ago and if the pieces are reunited a great evil will be unleashed and the world and everything Sierra holds dear would be destroyed. However half of the emblem is now found and so Sierra has to work out how to destroy it before her uncle gets anywhere near it.

Lots of drama, danger and politics in this part of the story. There were a number of blind avenues and wrong turns as they tried to destroy half of the Phoenix Emblem and then try to find the other half. There were points when I felt quite sorry for the bad guys when they were double crossed and killed. I found the story clear and easy to understand even though I did find some of the developments a little strange - maybe it will fit in with the next book when I will understand why some things happened.

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Review: Spirit Snatcher by Margo Ryerkerk 5 of 5 stars

Spirit Snatcher by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As Sierra is getting used to her family's secrets Culpatus ratchets up the pressure and starts to abduct Guardians from the streets. So she has to work with Gavin even though she is dating Cooper. The resulting mission will test all three of them as it takes them into the Culpatus lair. Can they free everyone or end up prisons themselves? Can Sierra and Gavin sort out their emotions and come to some sort of liveable solution to their current relationship?

This story was full of so many twists, turns and drama it was addictive and impossible to put down. Everything happened for a reason and added to the overall story. It was all very clear and easy to understand. I feel even more addicted to the story now than I was before and I'm really looking forward to what happens next.

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Review: Mirror Sacrifice: The Ardere Series Book 2 by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

Mirror Sacrifice: A YA Urban Fantasy Novel: The Ardere Series Book 2 by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sierra Reeves and Gavin McLoughlin travel together to London so that she can start training and he can work on a case. However life is not so simple as she has to deal with a snobbish crowd of elites while Gavin is becoming distant working on his case with his ex. The only positive in the situation is
Cooper who is always there for her helping with her training. She wonders if it can become something more but has to push it to the side as the Culpatus is back on the scene with some unexpected allies.

The book started well with the scene setting after the previous book and the journey to London. I did find the use of the surname Windsor a little cliche but that is a personal thing as an English person. The training was interesting and it was nice to experience the process of her coming into her skills and the knowledge that are needed going forward. As the story developed it went through a number of twists and turns some that could have been anticipated and some were definitely a complete surprise. I liked the build up at the end even though I might not have completely enjoyed the way some parts of the story ended. It was all well written and clear and easy to understand. Wondering how it is going to develop in the next book now.

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Review: Fluidus Rising: A YA Paranormal Novel: by Margo Ryerkerk 5 of 5 stars

Fluidus Rising: A YA Paranormal Novel: by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sierra Reeves lives with her gran and is graduating high school when something happens and she is torn away by her gran where she is told that everything she knew up to now is a lie and she is actually a rare supernatural with special powers called a Fluidus. Suddenly they are on the run and trying to stay away from the Ardere Regency and a rebel group called Culpatus. They arrive in Savannah, Georgia and hide out with the help and protection of handsome Ardere marshal Gavin McLoughlin. She starts to explore her powers under Gavin's guidance when her location is discovered and a murderer strikes. Sierra will have to use all her skills just to stay alive.

I loved the idea behind this story and the world of the supernaturals created by the author. Everything seemed to sit together well and made sense. I liked the relationship between Sierra and Gavin and the various complications and events involved in the way it developed. I could feel the emotions involved in some of the events described in the story and was able to have empathy for the characters involved. It was a great start to the series and I can only hope it carries on being this good as the story develops.

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