Memory Charmer

The Stregoni Sequence #2

by Christine E. Schulze

An enchanter who feeds on memories. The girl he holds captive, and the girl who dares to unravel his mystery. A lonely Cloud Elemental watching their lives from the sky above, only to abandon all duty to find love and create the life she craves.

Cheryl is an ex-vampire learning how to have a "normal" life among humans, fairies, and elves. On a summer trip to the world of Bienvinette, she soon finds herself falling in love with a mysterious magician with a dark secret.

Elissa is a prisoner of a notorious enchanter living deep in the woods. She lives a painful existence as the enchanter feeds daily on both her energy and her memories. But then a strange boy appears from the Stars and offers Elissa a way of escape into the heavens.

Cloud is a lonely Elemental guardian who breaks the most important rule of her kind by leaving her home and travelling to the Below. There she finds love with a feline anamorph, but she also finds danger, not only for herself, but for all Bienvinette. The Elements are out of balance and the only way for Cloud to return to restore that balance requires unimaginable sacrifice.

Three forbidden romances weave together into one epic fantasy in this second installment of Schulze’s magical trilogy.

ebook

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Hullo there, dear reader! Christine E. Schulze here, author of YA fantasy, as well as a few kids’ books about special needs. I’ve been living in castles, exploring magical worlds, and creating fantastical romances and adventures since I was too young to even write of such stories. My collection of YA and children's fantasy books, The Amielian Legacy, is comprised of series and stand-alone books that can all be read separately but also weave together to create a single, amazing fantasy.

One of my main aspirations for The Amielian Legacy is to create grand fantasy adventures with characters that connect with readers from diverse backgrounds. My current focus is to include racially diverse characters, as well as those with disabilities. The latter is inspired by my day job working with adults who have autism and other developmental disabilities at Trinity Services in Southern Illinois.

I draw much of my inspiration from favorite authors like Tolkien and Diana Wynne Jones, favorite games like The Legend of Zelda, and especially from the people in my life. Some of my exciting ventures include the publication of my award-winning Bloodmaiden, as well as The Gailean Quartet, my first series with Words Matter Publishing. My books for younger readers include In the Land of Giants and The Amazing Captain K.

I love connecting with new raeders! Come find me on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or at my author website: http://authorchristineschulze.com

On that note, God bless, happy reading, and may you be truly inspired! I’ll see you in my next book.

- Christine E. Schulze

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off I’d like to thank the author for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! Now let’s get into it!

This book was a WILD ride start to finish, I never knew what was coming next because all the decisions made by every character was so out of left field I didn’t know what to do with myself.

First of all the story did not flow at all and it also couldn’t decide who it’s main character was, it starts out with a kidnapped girl named Elissa then goes to a familiar face in Cheryl from book 1 and then VERY abruptly goes to a female character who is literally the clouds in the sky and she also ends up being a kidnapped girl but is chill with it cause she’s so desperate for love.

When we switch to Cloud (which her story is happening at the same time as Cheryl’s story) we go through Cloud’s ENTIRE story with a very big time jump before coming back to Cheryl and finishing off her story with her love interest who just so happens to be THE KIDNAPPER FROM THE BEGINNING but don’t worry he’s good now because her love changed him 🙃

The premise of this book was very intriguing but it was not executed very well, the sentence structure was not very good, the story should’ve flowed between the two main girls povs instead of starting with one, completely abandoning her in the middle to focus on this other girl only to circle back to her for the end of the book.

I don’t DNF books if I can help it and this was short so I pushed through and finished it but I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you’re super into elemental beings and can look past girls being kidnapped and their kidnappers low key being let off the hook for doing so

Also very annoyed that a certain family reunion didn’t happen when it was RIGHT THERE

[Kay Cobbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Memory Charmer”, the second installment in “The Stregoni Sequence,” weaves together three interlinked tales of forbidden love, each exploring the profound costs and transformative power of destiny.
The first story follows Elissa, whose story begins in fear but culminates in liberation. Her escape from the cruel Musician leads her to a new life of love with James-Star and her ascension as the Elemental, Night. In contrast, Cloud’s narrative is a poignant study of loneliness. She willingly forsakes her celestial role as an Elemental to seek love in the world Below. While she finds her true companion, her desertion of the sky inadvertently jeopardizes the very future of the Earth.
The final thread belongs to Cheryl, whose path tragically converges with Elissa’s past. She falls for the same Musician, a man cursed to drain the life and memories from those he encounters. Yet in Cheryl, he finds a love that compels him toward an unenviable decision: to embrace his own death to secure her survival.
These separate stories are deeply enriched by their shared characters and intersecting lore, creating a layered tapestry where knowledge of one narrative deepens the resonance of the others. With compelling emotional stakes and intricate world-building, “Memory Charmer” proves this trilogy is indeed going from strength to strength.

[Marissa Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me a little longer to read than the first one due to personal life but I also wanted to make sure to keep stories straight before they came together as one. I do like having different stories going at the same time that lead to the true one story.

[MaryClaire Crisp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book had me on my toes!

This was such a complex and layered story with a wonderful cast of characters!

I've truly never read anything like it, and I loved every second of this book!

[Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great story. I found the second storyline really interesting and I really would like to hear more about those characters. This is such a great YA read for younger readers. I know my children will really enjoy this series when they're a little older. I loved the Christian themes as well.

[Emma Stuwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hoping it only got better from the first and it absolutely did! This book made me feel so many things and to me that’s what matters when reading. I loved the intertwining stories, the passion written into the characters and the love that it was written with. Ugh, I can’t wait to read the last book in this series.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning is captivating, but the way the stories are grouped together is confusing and feels disjointed. Would have been better as separate short stories

[Felicia Hunting · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this one!! Definitely was not what I was expecting, but it kept me hooked all the way through!!

[Jewel Carrie Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, my favorite aspect of this book is the way that the chapters highlight different characters' experiences and POVs, but then everything comes together in the end. I love the introduction of new characters, and I especially enjoyed learning about the Elementals. Cloud is my favorite!

[Chelsey Bixler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this! she's. Christian author, but doesn't throw it in your face constantly. . great books!

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way this book was written as a series of journal entries. It is a short, easy read with action from the beginning. The book is centered around Cheryl and Logan, the memory charmer, but also brings the elemental spirits into play, especially Cloud when she comes to Earth. I need to go back and read the first book in this series, not needed to understand this one, and look forward to the next.

[Steven Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these stories. They were each unique and entertaining in their own right. If you have not read anything by Christine Schulze, you are missing out. Each story she comes up with is engaging and enjoyable.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the sequence is unbelievably enough even better than the first, and in this tale of love, heartbreak, romance and of course faith, we get to read about three couples and their love stories. My favourite being that of Cloud, the elemental who left her duties in the sky above to go to the below because of her extreme lonliness. She gets to meet mother earth and a man to love her, but at what cost! Elissa is held prisoner by a wizard who stole her energy and her memories living continually in fear of being killed, until a young boy comes to save her and he is none other than James-Star who needs her help, and she willingly gives this. Finally we meet Cheryl an ex-vampire who falls in love with a wizard, the same memory charmer called Logan, who this time around falls in love too to his detriment. This book is so full of whimsy, it is charming though has its very sad moments together with those full of hope, where Amiel does all he can to relieve the pain of loss and sacrifice. I love that we get to see characters from the previous book in this one too, but mostly I love the fantasy and imagination of Ms. Schulze which completely takes the reader over into the realm she weaves for us. I cannot wait to read the 3rd book.

[Mrs. Beady P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memory Charmer is a beautifully layered fantasy that combines magic with themes of faith and redemption. Christine E. Schulze creates a world where elemental guardians, memory-stealing enchanters, and conflicted magic users navigate challenges that test their morality, choices, and relationships. The story explores how grace, forgiveness, and commitment to the greater good shape each character’s journey.

Cloud’s arc is especially moving. She experiences freedom, connection, and love but must reconcile her choices with her responsibilities. When she asks Amiel for forgiveness, he restores her child to the sky and calls her Vapor, symbolizing her ability to bridge the worlds and find balance.

Amiel’s name, meaning “My people are God,” reflects his role as a spiritual guide and reinforces the story’s biblical undertones.

The arcs of Cheryl and Elissa complement this theme of redemption as they face their own pasts and challenges. The pacing slows at times due to multiple POVs, but the emotional depth, moral reflection, and imaginative worldbuilding make it a rewarding read. Fans of fantasy with spiritual undertones will find much to enjoy in this book.

[Beth West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I finished this maybe faster than the first book in the trilogy. I really like how it had multiple stories that tied together with new characters and still mentioned the characters from the previous story. This is the first series I've been able to read quickly and finish since having my son about a year ago. I stay busy as a mom and working full time and I have missed my hobby of reading. These books hold my attention and have reignited my passion for reading as much as possible. I cant wait to read the next story