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Relic
After a raging fire consumes her town and kills her parents, Maggie Davis is on her own to protect her younger sister and survive best she can in the Colorado town of Burning Mesa. In Maggie’s world, the bones of long-extinct magical creatures such as dragons and sirens are mined and traded for their residual magical elements, and harnessing these relics’ powers allows the user to wield fire, turn invisible, or heal even the worst of injuries.
Working in a local saloon, Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide and falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But when she proves to have a particular skill at harnessing the relics’ powers, Maggie is whisked away to the glamorous hacienda of Álvar Castilla, the wealthy young relic baron who runs Burning Mesa. Though his intentions aren’t always clear, Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.
Relic is a thrilling adventure set in a wholly unique world, and a spell-binding story of love, trust, and the power of good.
Working in a local saloon, Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide and falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But when she proves to have a particular skill at harnessing the relics’ powers, Maggie is whisked away to the glamorous hacienda of Álvar Castilla, the wealthy young relic baron who runs Burning Mesa. Though his intentions aren’t always clear, Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.
Relic is a thrilling adventure set in a wholly unique world, and a spell-binding story of love, trust, and the power of good.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2013
20 people are currently reading
3456 people want to read
About the author
Renee Collins
3 books321 followersI'm the author of Relic, Until We Meet Again, and Remember Me Always. I love historical settings, magic, and semi-tragic romance. I am represented by Jessica Regel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
September 10, 2013
Maggie Davis is all on her own after a raging fire decimated her town and killed her parents. Now she must protect and younger sister and persevere in the Colorado town of Burning Mesa. In her world, long-extinct magical creatures such as dragons and sirens exist. Their bones are mined and traded for their residual magical elements. Harnessing these relic's powers will allow the user to wield fire, turn invisible, or to even heal the worst of injuries.
Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide while working at a local saloon and soon falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But she has a gift. Maggie has the particular skill of being able to harness the relics' powers. When the wealthy young relic baron Álvar Castilla catches sight of Maggie he whisks her away to his glamorous hacienda. As Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic, his intentions aren't always clear. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.
Honestly, that synopsis made me think I would enjoy this book more than I actually did. It really surprised me because I love magical creatures and the idea of relics. But in the end I struggled quite a bit and kept putting this book down. I never truly connected to this novel and the characters within. Relic just did not captivate my attention at all.
I think my main criticism is the lack of explanation. There is enough action to keep the pace plodding along, but aside from that, the characterization is lackadaisical. The secondary characters are rather mediocre and don't get enough face time. Add to that a meager love interest that results in insta-love, my frustrations with this book left me disenchanted.
I would classify Relic as more of a lighter fantasy novel and I really had hoped for more of a high fantasy read. With creatures and relic magic set in the western US, I expect a well rounded and fleshed out concept. Reading a slew of excellent reviews for Relic, I feel like the odd one out. This may just be the case of 'it's just me' and what my expectations were leading up to this read. But it came down to my overall enjoyment while reading this book, and in the end, I just couldn't force it.
*eARC provided for an honest review
Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide while working at a local saloon and soon falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But she has a gift. Maggie has the particular skill of being able to harness the relics' powers. When the wealthy young relic baron Álvar Castilla catches sight of Maggie he whisks her away to his glamorous hacienda. As Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic, his intentions aren't always clear. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.
Honestly, that synopsis made me think I would enjoy this book more than I actually did. It really surprised me because I love magical creatures and the idea of relics. But in the end I struggled quite a bit and kept putting this book down. I never truly connected to this novel and the characters within. Relic just did not captivate my attention at all.
I think my main criticism is the lack of explanation. There is enough action to keep the pace plodding along, but aside from that, the characterization is lackadaisical. The secondary characters are rather mediocre and don't get enough face time. Add to that a meager love interest that results in insta-love, my frustrations with this book left me disenchanted.
I would classify Relic as more of a lighter fantasy novel and I really had hoped for more of a high fantasy read. With creatures and relic magic set in the western US, I expect a well rounded and fleshed out concept. Reading a slew of excellent reviews for Relic, I feel like the odd one out. This may just be the case of 'it's just me' and what my expectations were leading up to this read. But it came down to my overall enjoyment while reading this book, and in the end, I just couldn't force it.
*eARC provided for an honest review
October 11, 2012
Breathtakingly original and absolutely gripping! Renee creates a gritty, magical Western world that will make you want to start digging in your backyard for relics. I cannot rave enough about this book -- the characters, the setting, the plot, the magic, the romance. OH THE ROMANCE. The entire story is a flame of magic in and of itself!
October 15, 2012
Relic is a true favorite of mine. The description and worldbuiliding are breathtaking. I love the concept of the magic remaining in relics of extinct magical creatures. The wild west feel comes through with vivid clarity and I adore the characters. Maggie is loyal, smart and fantastic. Love, love, love!
July 10, 2013
After Maggie’s parents and brother are killed in a fire, she finds work at a scandalous saloon – but she’s soon whisked away by a rich relic baron. Can she trust him? And who's responsible for setting fires like the ones that killed her family? Honestly, I’d been dying to read RELIC since I read the deal announcement, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s peopled with Old West prototypes – spunky orphan girl, handsome cowboy, whore with a heart of gold, cruel brothel owner – who come alive on the page. What really stood out for me was the amazing, imaginative worldbuilding – an Old West in which people mine not for gold but for relics imbued with ancient magic – bits of siren and vampire and dragon bone. Some relics are innocent enough (a water-based relic could help farmers get through a drought) while others are dark and twisted, but they all give their users power – and Maggie finds she can wield them better than most. Completely fascinating premise, no? There's a creepy scene in the caverns with ghost coyotes that I loved, and another where Maggie falls under the spell of a dangerous relic, and the one where she meets her cowboy while swimming in a creek and is scandalized and...well, I could go on. I loved this book so much I blurbed it: RELIC is like nothing else I've read - a historical fantasy teeming with ghost coyotes, duplicitous Haciendos, sexy cowboys, and dangerous relic magic. I loved spending time in Collins' magnificent reimagining of the Old West! (read in ms; will buy for sure; obviously recommend)
August 19, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Fast paced western with a unique paranormal twist. Amazing characters, interesting setting, and a fascinating plot makes this a must read for all YA fans.
Opening Sentence: We were home alone the night that Haydenville burned.
The Review:
Maggie Davis is 16 years old and lives in a small town in Colorado, with her family. Then one night a terrible fire burns her home and kills everyone but her and her little sister. She travels to the town of Burning Mesa where she looks for work. Maggie is lucky to find work at the local saloon as a hostess. She tries to survive and take care of her little sister the best she can. She makes some unlikely friends and meets the dashing cowboy Landon Black. But Maggie also has unusual magical skills that don’t go unnoticed for long.
In Maggie’s world there are talismans known as relics, which are the bones of paranormal creatures. These bones posses magic and depending on what they came from they all hold a different kind of power. For example, dragon bones contain the power of fire, goblin bones can make you invisible, and siren bones can make you very persuasive. Maggie has always been fascinated by relics and it turns out she has a special skill when it comes to harnessing their powers. Soon the very influential Álvar Castilla takes notice and employs Maggie to help him. At first Maggie is swept away in his world of finery and magic, but soon reality seeps in and she starts to wonder if she can really trust Álvar. Then another town is burned and Maggie has to try and figure out who is behind it all.
Maggie is an awesome heroine. I instantly connected with her and loved everything about her. She is strong, independent, and sticks to her beliefs. She is thrown into an impossible situation and while she does make some mistakes she tries the best she can. She has a feisty personality and doesn’t like to be told what to do. Much of the things she goes through are heartbreaking, but instead of letting her problems defeat her she comes out on top. You get to experience so many first with her and I enjoyed every minute of it. She was an amazing character that you couldn’t help but love and respect.
Okay, I have to confess something here; I am a total sucker for sexy cowboys and Landon Black is one very sexy cowboy. With beautiful blue eyes, straw colored hair and a sweet cowboy accent he pretty much had me at hello. Of course he is also the upmost gentleman like all cowboys should be and he treats Maggie with complete respect. He shows his sweet vulnerable side at times, but he is also tough and protective. He isn’t perfect by all means but his faults just made him more real and desirable. His relationship with Maggie is so sweet and developed perfectly. The only thing I can complain about with Landon is that I wanted even more scenes with him in the book.
If you can’t already tell, I absolutely loved this book. The setting was so much fun and the plot had some very surprising good twists. The characters were awesome and so easy to connect with. The paranormal element in the story was very unique and different from anything else I have ever read. The romance was done perfectly and the mystery kept me guessing the whole way through. This is a debut novel for Renee Collins and she has gained a fan for life from me. At the moment there isn’t anything about a sequel, but with the slight cliffhanger ending, I really hope there is one. I would honestly recommend this to anyone that enjoys YA books, it has so many unique elements that will please a wide range of fans.
Notable Scene:
“Lovely evenin’.”
The voice jarred me out of my thoughts, nearly making me
fling the pan of broken glass from my hand.
It was a male’s voice. Sounded like a young buck, about my age. He stepped from the dark into a panel of orange light the windows had cast on the dirt. He was tall and lean with fair hair and a wide smile.
As he came closer, however, the smile faded. “Say, what’s wrong?”
I realized that tears still wet my cheeks, and I swiftly wiped them away. “Nothing.”
“You were crying. Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
He made a look of playful, exaggerated distress. “Did some varmint trample on your heart? Tell me where he is, and I’ll give him a what for.”
This made me laugh a little. “It’s nothing like that. But thanks, anyway.”
He grinned, and I felt a flicker of heat in my face. I didn’t recognize him; he certainly wasn’t one of the regulars. And I’d never seen him around town. He was probably one of those railroad workers, and would be leaving for Tucson at first light.
“Did you break something important?” he asked, motioning to my pan. “Is that why you’re upset?”
“You really want to figure this out, don’t you?” I said, both amused and exasperated.
He stepped closer. “A man doesn’t like the sight of a pretty girl crying.”
I tried to laugh dismissively, though it sounded more like a cough.
“I’m Landon,” he said, bending his head to try and meet my eye. “Landon Black. What’s your name?”
FTC Advisory: Entangled Teen provided me with a copy of Relic. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Fast paced western with a unique paranormal twist. Amazing characters, interesting setting, and a fascinating plot makes this a must read for all YA fans.
Opening Sentence: We were home alone the night that Haydenville burned.
The Review:
Maggie Davis is 16 years old and lives in a small town in Colorado, with her family. Then one night a terrible fire burns her home and kills everyone but her and her little sister. She travels to the town of Burning Mesa where she looks for work. Maggie is lucky to find work at the local saloon as a hostess. She tries to survive and take care of her little sister the best she can. She makes some unlikely friends and meets the dashing cowboy Landon Black. But Maggie also has unusual magical skills that don’t go unnoticed for long.
In Maggie’s world there are talismans known as relics, which are the bones of paranormal creatures. These bones posses magic and depending on what they came from they all hold a different kind of power. For example, dragon bones contain the power of fire, goblin bones can make you invisible, and siren bones can make you very persuasive. Maggie has always been fascinated by relics and it turns out she has a special skill when it comes to harnessing their powers. Soon the very influential Álvar Castilla takes notice and employs Maggie to help him. At first Maggie is swept away in his world of finery and magic, but soon reality seeps in and she starts to wonder if she can really trust Álvar. Then another town is burned and Maggie has to try and figure out who is behind it all.
Maggie is an awesome heroine. I instantly connected with her and loved everything about her. She is strong, independent, and sticks to her beliefs. She is thrown into an impossible situation and while she does make some mistakes she tries the best she can. She has a feisty personality and doesn’t like to be told what to do. Much of the things she goes through are heartbreaking, but instead of letting her problems defeat her she comes out on top. You get to experience so many first with her and I enjoyed every minute of it. She was an amazing character that you couldn’t help but love and respect.
Okay, I have to confess something here; I am a total sucker for sexy cowboys and Landon Black is one very sexy cowboy. With beautiful blue eyes, straw colored hair and a sweet cowboy accent he pretty much had me at hello. Of course he is also the upmost gentleman like all cowboys should be and he treats Maggie with complete respect. He shows his sweet vulnerable side at times, but he is also tough and protective. He isn’t perfect by all means but his faults just made him more real and desirable. His relationship with Maggie is so sweet and developed perfectly. The only thing I can complain about with Landon is that I wanted even more scenes with him in the book.
If you can’t already tell, I absolutely loved this book. The setting was so much fun and the plot had some very surprising good twists. The characters were awesome and so easy to connect with. The paranormal element in the story was very unique and different from anything else I have ever read. The romance was done perfectly and the mystery kept me guessing the whole way through. This is a debut novel for Renee Collins and she has gained a fan for life from me. At the moment there isn’t anything about a sequel, but with the slight cliffhanger ending, I really hope there is one. I would honestly recommend this to anyone that enjoys YA books, it has so many unique elements that will please a wide range of fans.
Notable Scene:
“Lovely evenin’.”
The voice jarred me out of my thoughts, nearly making me
fling the pan of broken glass from my hand.
It was a male’s voice. Sounded like a young buck, about my age. He stepped from the dark into a panel of orange light the windows had cast on the dirt. He was tall and lean with fair hair and a wide smile.
As he came closer, however, the smile faded. “Say, what’s wrong?”
I realized that tears still wet my cheeks, and I swiftly wiped them away. “Nothing.”
“You were crying. Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
He made a look of playful, exaggerated distress. “Did some varmint trample on your heart? Tell me where he is, and I’ll give him a what for.”
This made me laugh a little. “It’s nothing like that. But thanks, anyway.”
He grinned, and I felt a flicker of heat in my face. I didn’t recognize him; he certainly wasn’t one of the regulars. And I’d never seen him around town. He was probably one of those railroad workers, and would be leaving for Tucson at first light.
“Did you break something important?” he asked, motioning to my pan. “Is that why you’re upset?”
“You really want to figure this out, don’t you?” I said, both amused and exasperated.
He stepped closer. “A man doesn’t like the sight of a pretty girl crying.”
I tried to laugh dismissively, though it sounded more like a cough.
“I’m Landon,” he said, bending his head to try and meet my eye. “Landon Black. What’s your name?”
FTC Advisory: Entangled Teen provided me with a copy of Relic. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
August 7, 2013
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my opinion of the book.
So, I did my regular old milarky of accepting a review book without even reading the blurb again. However, there is nothing quite like the feeling when you know you’ve opened the pages into a land of something pretty special. Because Relic just seemed so fresh to me. It’s unique to other books I’ve read lately. It’s original. And the characters? Man, the characters are great.
Young Maggie leads the way in Relic, and from the off we connect with her—how can one not as she witnesses a fire destroy her home, followed by her brother’s sacrifice so she and her sister can be rescued by an Apache and live, and she suspects her parents are ravaged by the same fire that has stolen her life. And all this happens within the first few pages. This is such a powerful opening, ensuring young Maggie has our attention, our empathy, and our hearts, and demands we sit up and want to fight her corner. And she does a great job of clinging tight to us the entire way through. From one catastrophe to another, Maggie faces challenge after challenge and trial after trial, the overcoming of each one seeming to lead her to the next. Even when a potential love interest is woven in, Maggie is challenged—though that’s mostly by herself, her naivety and insecurities.
Landon is an AWESOME cowboy. He’s cute. He’s flawed. He’s pretty ‘real’, and I enjoyed his company easily as much as Maggie did—and possibly more. However, he’s not the only male on the scene, and the reader is left confused about that—not so much who she might be wooed by, but with whom she’s meant to end up.
Because there’s the Apache, who is equally as awesome as Landon, and with a much deeper and meaningful connection to Maggie, which the reader has a tough time trying to interpret. I mean, even once it all comes to light and that element of the story unfolds, it’s difficult to tell just how ‘deep’ a connection there is between Maggie and him, and on what level they’re meant to be drawn together.
And then we also have rich dude, who shouldn’t even pay the likes of Maggie any mind but is being ‘charitable’ to her from the off: Alvar. From the get-go, the reader doesn’t quite know what to make of him. Is he genuine? Isn’t he? Does he want more from Maggie? Or is he honest in his intents? He sends off so many mixed signals—for good reason—that I don’t think even he knows whether he’s coming or going. And Alvar keeps you guessing right up to the very end—because he is one of the best mysteries to be unfolded within this book.
Which brings us to the plot. It was, in a nutshell, great. The intricate weavings and tightly tucked in threads, and the twists and turns and surprises, and betrayals and lies and deceit, and the so-greatly-portrayed characters that anybody could be behind the burnings—all of this keeps the reader turning those pages with an eagerness to discover exactly where we’re all being taken.
My only complaints regarding Relic are: 1) I wasn’t sure completely of the world building. Like: is it set in an evolved version of our own world? Because it appears to be (though I’m not from the US to recognise if the places were real). But, then, if it’s set in our world, what time period is it set in. Or has the author taken complete creative license on this front? Although not knowing this didn’t really stop me enjoying the story, I did keep pondering from time to time, and it would have been better if that was completely clear. And 2) I wasn’t wholly sure for a little while on Maggie’s age. By the time I noticed her age mentioned, I’d been reading a while. If it was mentioned prior to that, it wasn’t done so prominently enough to embed in my brain. And I had trouble grasping her age. In parts, she seemed a little older than she was meant to be. I understand that dramatic circumstances in a life can force a person into maturity, but she seemed mature from the off, rather than growing into that. I think I wanted a little more of her naivety to show through—especially regarding certain aspects of the book that would be considered inappropriate, in this day and age even, for a 16 year old to be around (because it was like none of the laws of our world today applied in this created version of it). But, again, this only stalled me for minor ponderings and didn’t exactly mar my reading pleasure.
Anyway, those small gripes aside, I truly am greatly looking forward to the second instalment. I mean, more cowboys, and Wild West type scenery, and action, and legacy, love, loss, and betrayal, and magic, PLUS a fantasy-like feel to the writing that flows with little trouble? Dude, sign me up.
So, I did my regular old milarky of accepting a review book without even reading the blurb again. However, there is nothing quite like the feeling when you know you’ve opened the pages into a land of something pretty special. Because Relic just seemed so fresh to me. It’s unique to other books I’ve read lately. It’s original. And the characters? Man, the characters are great.
Young Maggie leads the way in Relic, and from the off we connect with her—how can one not as she witnesses a fire destroy her home, followed by her brother’s sacrifice so she and her sister can be rescued by an Apache and live, and she suspects her parents are ravaged by the same fire that has stolen her life. And all this happens within the first few pages. This is such a powerful opening, ensuring young Maggie has our attention, our empathy, and our hearts, and demands we sit up and want to fight her corner. And she does a great job of clinging tight to us the entire way through. From one catastrophe to another, Maggie faces challenge after challenge and trial after trial, the overcoming of each one seeming to lead her to the next. Even when a potential love interest is woven in, Maggie is challenged—though that’s mostly by herself, her naivety and insecurities.
Landon is an AWESOME cowboy. He’s cute. He’s flawed. He’s pretty ‘real’, and I enjoyed his company easily as much as Maggie did—and possibly more. However, he’s not the only male on the scene, and the reader is left confused about that—not so much who she might be wooed by, but with whom she’s meant to end up.
Because there’s the Apache, who is equally as awesome as Landon, and with a much deeper and meaningful connection to Maggie, which the reader has a tough time trying to interpret. I mean, even once it all comes to light and that element of the story unfolds, it’s difficult to tell just how ‘deep’ a connection there is between Maggie and him, and on what level they’re meant to be drawn together.
And then we also have rich dude, who shouldn’t even pay the likes of Maggie any mind but is being ‘charitable’ to her from the off: Alvar. From the get-go, the reader doesn’t quite know what to make of him. Is he genuine? Isn’t he? Does he want more from Maggie? Or is he honest in his intents? He sends off so many mixed signals—for good reason—that I don’t think even he knows whether he’s coming or going. And Alvar keeps you guessing right up to the very end—because he is one of the best mysteries to be unfolded within this book.
Which brings us to the plot. It was, in a nutshell, great. The intricate weavings and tightly tucked in threads, and the twists and turns and surprises, and betrayals and lies and deceit, and the so-greatly-portrayed characters that anybody could be behind the burnings—all of this keeps the reader turning those pages with an eagerness to discover exactly where we’re all being taken.
My only complaints regarding Relic are: 1) I wasn’t sure completely of the world building. Like: is it set in an evolved version of our own world? Because it appears to be (though I’m not from the US to recognise if the places were real). But, then, if it’s set in our world, what time period is it set in. Or has the author taken complete creative license on this front? Although not knowing this didn’t really stop me enjoying the story, I did keep pondering from time to time, and it would have been better if that was completely clear. And 2) I wasn’t wholly sure for a little while on Maggie’s age. By the time I noticed her age mentioned, I’d been reading a while. If it was mentioned prior to that, it wasn’t done so prominently enough to embed in my brain. And I had trouble grasping her age. In parts, she seemed a little older than she was meant to be. I understand that dramatic circumstances in a life can force a person into maturity, but she seemed mature from the off, rather than growing into that. I think I wanted a little more of her naivety to show through—especially regarding certain aspects of the book that would be considered inappropriate, in this day and age even, for a 16 year old to be around (because it was like none of the laws of our world today applied in this created version of it). But, again, this only stalled me for minor ponderings and didn’t exactly mar my reading pleasure.
Anyway, those small gripes aside, I truly am greatly looking forward to the second instalment. I mean, more cowboys, and Wild West type scenery, and action, and legacy, love, loss, and betrayal, and magic, PLUS a fantasy-like feel to the writing that flows with little trouble? Dude, sign me up.
March 5, 2015
I loved this story. It isn't often you find a western were old magic influences what goes on in the lives of the people. Plus it's a true page turner. There's hardly a dull moment. The scenes flow together well with characters that you find your self rooting for. Well done Ms. Collins. I wish she'd written another.
November 5, 2013
Relic is a fantastic debut about cowboys, magic, and the lengths to which people go for family.
Maggie flees from the fire that razes her hometown and kills her family. She takes a job in a saloon to try to support herself and her little sister Ella. All she wants is to survive, but when her friend Yahn, an Apache, is falsely accused of causing the fire, she has to investigate. She stumbles into a world where wealth can buy everything: endless food and beautiful parties, magical relics (the bones of long-dead mystical beasts)… and potentially Maggie herself.
The mixture of magic and history was amazing. Relics are fossils of unicorns, sirens, goblins, and other creatures that carry bits of magic. People who who wield them can create fire, manipulate water, or commit more insidious acts. To add realism to the story, relics are mined like ores, traded, catalogued, and counterfeited.
The novel also builds a beautiful setting of the Old West with white folks, Apaches, Haciendos, and East Asian immigrants. I can count on one hand the number of Westerns I’ve read, so for me this was fresh and entertaining. The magic is woven in to feel natural and unobtrusive; think Daughter of the Empire. A good theme that runs throughout the novel is that the white folks are trying to kick the Apaches off their land (sound familiar?) to mine the magical relics that the Apaches hold sacred (wait, what?). And since it's the wild west, there is action. No shoot outs but plenty of horse chases, bar fights, and fire.
Maggie is very Little House on the Prairie, if the prairie were full of basilisk bones. She buttons the top button, wouldn’t flirt unless the man called on her properly, and doesn’t know a single four lettered word. At the same time, she slaps a man who offends her, stands up to a sheriff, and rides horses across the desert. Some people will think her prudish, but I think she had character without making everyone around her feel guilty. In one scene, Maggie's friend Adelaide pour shots for Maggie, Adelaide, and another friend to soothe their frayed nerves. While her friends take the shots, Maggie leaves the drink sitting on the table. She doesn’t preach against their sins or make herself out to be better than them; she is who she is and she lets others be who they are.
The other characters aren’t as fleshed out as Maggie, but they are unique in their own ways. The villains of the book were particularly well-crafted, and as the mystery of the fires unfolded, I enjoyed guessing who was to blame. The love interest Landon is a good complement to Maggie and not an annoying insta-love. If you want hot and heavy, look to showgirl/prostitute Adelaide and cowboy Bobby.
There are a few negatives. The book has some happy coincidences, particularly in the second half. Maggie suffers from right place, right time syndrome. I also think the book gets off to a good start (Fire! Flight! Rescue!) but slows down in the middle third. Maggie doesn’t have a clear goal, and she seems to get sidetracked once she falls in with Alvar. The story picks up again in the last third. Finally, the ending itself. I was a little disappointed that Maggie did get preachy after all, and there were a few jumps in logic to make the ends tie up neat. Still, for the most part I was satisfied and would definitely read a sequel.
One final thought… When I was a teenager, I ran out of books to read. I loved fantasy, but YA fantasies could be short or childish and adult fantasies could be… well, “adult fantasies”. I wanted something exciting, magical, long enough to last a summer afternoon, and not rated X. (I stumbled on Sharon Green's Convergence when I was twelve. Not good.) Relic fits these requirements. It’s an entertaining, rich story that’s not smutty or squirting demon blood on every page.
Highly recommended.
[Read for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-challenge/]
Maggie flees from the fire that razes her hometown and kills her family. She takes a job in a saloon to try to support herself and her little sister Ella. All she wants is to survive, but when her friend Yahn, an Apache, is falsely accused of causing the fire, she has to investigate. She stumbles into a world where wealth can buy everything: endless food and beautiful parties, magical relics (the bones of long-dead mystical beasts)… and potentially Maggie herself.
The mixture of magic and history was amazing. Relics are fossils of unicorns, sirens, goblins, and other creatures that carry bits of magic. People who who wield them can create fire, manipulate water, or commit more insidious acts. To add realism to the story, relics are mined like ores, traded, catalogued, and counterfeited.
The novel also builds a beautiful setting of the Old West with white folks, Apaches, Haciendos, and East Asian immigrants. I can count on one hand the number of Westerns I’ve read, so for me this was fresh and entertaining. The magic is woven in to feel natural and unobtrusive; think Daughter of the Empire. A good theme that runs throughout the novel is that the white folks are trying to kick the Apaches off their land (sound familiar?) to mine the magical relics that the Apaches hold sacred (wait, what?). And since it's the wild west, there is action. No shoot outs but plenty of horse chases, bar fights, and fire.
Maggie is very Little House on the Prairie, if the prairie were full of basilisk bones. She buttons the top button, wouldn’t flirt unless the man called on her properly, and doesn’t know a single four lettered word. At the same time, she slaps a man who offends her, stands up to a sheriff, and rides horses across the desert. Some people will think her prudish, but I think she had character without making everyone around her feel guilty. In one scene, Maggie's friend Adelaide pour shots for Maggie, Adelaide, and another friend to soothe their frayed nerves. While her friends take the shots, Maggie leaves the drink sitting on the table. She doesn’t preach against their sins or make herself out to be better than them; she is who she is and she lets others be who they are.
The other characters aren’t as fleshed out as Maggie, but they are unique in their own ways. The villains of the book were particularly well-crafted, and as the mystery of the fires unfolded, I enjoyed guessing who was to blame. The love interest Landon is a good complement to Maggie and not an annoying insta-love. If you want hot and heavy, look to showgirl/prostitute Adelaide and cowboy Bobby.
There are a few negatives. The book has some happy coincidences, particularly in the second half. Maggie suffers from right place, right time syndrome. I also think the book gets off to a good start (Fire! Flight! Rescue!) but slows down in the middle third. Maggie doesn’t have a clear goal, and she seems to get sidetracked once she falls in with Alvar. The story picks up again in the last third. Finally, the ending itself. I was a little disappointed that Maggie did get preachy after all, and there were a few jumps in logic to make the ends tie up neat. Still, for the most part I was satisfied and would definitely read a sequel.
One final thought… When I was a teenager, I ran out of books to read. I loved fantasy, but YA fantasies could be short or childish and adult fantasies could be… well, “adult fantasies”. I wanted something exciting, magical, long enough to last a summer afternoon, and not rated X. (I stumbled on Sharon Green's Convergence when I was twelve. Not good.) Relic fits these requirements. It’s an entertaining, rich story that’s not smutty or squirting demon blood on every page.
Highly recommended.
[Read for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-challenge/]
August 27, 2013
Relic is a first person account of the early life of Maggie Davis, a sixteen-year-old girl, and her baby sister Ella, who live in a world very loosely based on the old west of America. Maggie and Ella have a rough start in the book as the first chapter introduces us to them through the death of their family and destruction of their hometown. The story follows the girls as they find a way to survive in the harsh world of that day and get wrapped up in a web of magic, deception and intrigue.
Maggie is a genuinely likable main character who starts off as your typical teenage girl with no special powers or skills, just a love for information about relics. She struggles with the conservative values her family has tried to instill into her while making friends who are decidedly less conservative in their values. Her main goal in the story is to take care of her baby sister, at any cost, but she is pulled into a situation that is far larger then either of them.
The novel is well written with clean and well-edited prose. I did not notice any issues with typos, or grammar, so if there are any they were not enough to kick me out of the story. Relic is written at an easy to read level, which should be easily approachable by the vast majority of readers. I did not come across any words that I needed to use the dictionary for, nor were any of the grammar constructions hard to follow. I would guess it to be at a sixth grade level of difficulty in reading. I would put the level of reading difficultly as similar to my own books.
As far as the content goes, the book should be safe read for any teenager and up. There is a little bit of language and some very suggestive scenes, but nothing that would give me as a parent pause before letting a teenager read the novel. I would be careful of a pre-teen reading this novel, and suggest that parents pre-read this book and decide based on the maturity of their children.
Over all I enjoyed the book, but there were two weaknesses with the telling of Maggie’s story. The first issue has to do with the first chapter. It felt too contrived, almost like the author was forcing it in just to give a back-story to main character. In my opinion the book would be stronger if the first chapter was dropped completely. It would take very little editing to get the backstory into the story, and nothing would be lost.
The second weakness is that the ending felt a bit like a rushed wrap up. It was a good ending, and one that definitely leaves the door open for a sequel, but still it felt a bit rushed. I do not want to spoil the ending for anyone, so I will not give any details. You will just have to read it to find out what I mean. It was a good ending, but not a great one. It did not end on a cliffhanger, but there were definitely loose ends that lay the groundwork for a sequel.
As I mentioned, over all it is a good story and it is told well. I think teenagers and up who enjoy YA fantasy with a strong romantic under current will enjoy this book.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy (aka ARC) of Relic for the purpose of this review via an online promotion.
Maggie is a genuinely likable main character who starts off as your typical teenage girl with no special powers or skills, just a love for information about relics. She struggles with the conservative values her family has tried to instill into her while making friends who are decidedly less conservative in their values. Her main goal in the story is to take care of her baby sister, at any cost, but she is pulled into a situation that is far larger then either of them.
The novel is well written with clean and well-edited prose. I did not notice any issues with typos, or grammar, so if there are any they were not enough to kick me out of the story. Relic is written at an easy to read level, which should be easily approachable by the vast majority of readers. I did not come across any words that I needed to use the dictionary for, nor were any of the grammar constructions hard to follow. I would guess it to be at a sixth grade level of difficulty in reading. I would put the level of reading difficultly as similar to my own books.
As far as the content goes, the book should be safe read for any teenager and up. There is a little bit of language and some very suggestive scenes, but nothing that would give me as a parent pause before letting a teenager read the novel. I would be careful of a pre-teen reading this novel, and suggest that parents pre-read this book and decide based on the maturity of their children.
Over all I enjoyed the book, but there were two weaknesses with the telling of Maggie’s story. The first issue has to do with the first chapter. It felt too contrived, almost like the author was forcing it in just to give a back-story to main character. In my opinion the book would be stronger if the first chapter was dropped completely. It would take very little editing to get the backstory into the story, and nothing would be lost.
The second weakness is that the ending felt a bit like a rushed wrap up. It was a good ending, and one that definitely leaves the door open for a sequel, but still it felt a bit rushed. I do not want to spoil the ending for anyone, so I will not give any details. You will just have to read it to find out what I mean. It was a good ending, but not a great one. It did not end on a cliffhanger, but there were definitely loose ends that lay the groundwork for a sequel.
As I mentioned, over all it is a good story and it is told well. I think teenagers and up who enjoy YA fantasy with a strong romantic under current will enjoy this book.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy (aka ARC) of Relic for the purpose of this review via an online promotion.
January 18, 2017
This has been on my TBR for quite some time, mostly because umm I love the cover so honestly when I was given a chance to review it for Entangled I jumped onboard with zero hesitation.
Maggie and her siblings notice a fire in the town, and their parents just so happen to be at the town. So she makes the choice for them to run, however as the fire spreads they find themselves trapped until Maggie notices an Apache watching them. She recognizes him for her time at school and he helps them escape except her brother is not able to get rescued.
After staying at her old school for awhile Maggie goes to the town of Burning Mesa to find a job, she runs into an important man trying to escape the clutches of a rather nasty man and he offers her a job at the local saloon. Soon she makes friends with Adelaide and starts falling for a rather handsome cowboy named Landon.
But then another town burns and her Apache friend Yahn is arrested she sets out to prove his innocence. Then when Ella is injured and she runs to Alvar for help because of all the relics he owns she suddenly finds herself stuck at his house and he teaches her about relics. It turns out that Maggie has the talent to use the relics.
As she gets draw deeper and deeper into the mystery of the relics and more towns are burning Maggie begins to wonder if she will be able to find out who is burning the towns and will she be able to save Yahn and possibly Burning Mesa when the time comes?
This was a totally interesting twist on a western. Relics being exactly what you might think they are bones of powerful creatures like dragons or goblins, or unicorns and they each do different things. Like goblin relics allow you to be invisible and unicorns heal totally cool twist. I loved every minute of it even though Maggie was a bit flaky at times. Landon was great and Yahn was swoon worthy and not in the book enough.
Maggie and her siblings notice a fire in the town, and their parents just so happen to be at the town. So she makes the choice for them to run, however as the fire spreads they find themselves trapped until Maggie notices an Apache watching them. She recognizes him for her time at school and he helps them escape except her brother is not able to get rescued.
After staying at her old school for awhile Maggie goes to the town of Burning Mesa to find a job, she runs into an important man trying to escape the clutches of a rather nasty man and he offers her a job at the local saloon. Soon she makes friends with Adelaide and starts falling for a rather handsome cowboy named Landon.
But then another town burns and her Apache friend Yahn is arrested she sets out to prove his innocence. Then when Ella is injured and she runs to Alvar for help because of all the relics he owns she suddenly finds herself stuck at his house and he teaches her about relics. It turns out that Maggie has the talent to use the relics.
As she gets draw deeper and deeper into the mystery of the relics and more towns are burning Maggie begins to wonder if she will be able to find out who is burning the towns and will she be able to save Yahn and possibly Burning Mesa when the time comes?
This was a totally interesting twist on a western. Relics being exactly what you might think they are bones of powerful creatures like dragons or goblins, or unicorns and they each do different things. Like goblin relics allow you to be invisible and unicorns heal totally cool twist. I loved every minute of it even though Maggie was a bit flaky at times. Landon was great and Yahn was swoon worthy and not in the book enough.
September 2, 2013
Relic has been on my radar for quite some time now! I first discovered it while I was working on a Waiting on Wednesday post and decided to scroll through the GR list for upcoming debuts of 2013. I stumbled upon Relic, read the synopsis and was instantly hooked. A story set in the West of course would have your cowboys, native Indians, and rich settlers. But to add relic magic in there? Freaking awesome!
I really enjoyed Relic. From the very first page I was engaged and immediately drawn into the absolute horror that was occurring so early on in the novel. You cannot help but feel overwhelming sorrow for the main character, Maggie. Tragedy strikes her right away and at 16, she is left to take care of her younger sister, Ella. After fleeing to a nearby monastery, Maggie knows she cannot take advantage of their hospitality forever, as times are tough all around. She ventures out into the closest town and starts looking for work. She comes across Alvar Castilla, a haciendo who is both wealthy and influential. I wasn't sure what to make of Alvar first. My spidey sense was tingling and I didn't feel I could completely trust him. I think it was all of the 'flicker of expressions' that made me doubt his intentions. However, he did swoop in and save the day, providing Maggie with a job at a local saloon cleaning floors and serving drinks.
It is here she meets Adelaide, who is a showgirl, and Landon, a cowboy who works for Castilla. I really liked Adelaide, even though she was a minor character. Her situation as a showgirl is less than desirable, but she makes it work- having fallen for a cowboy named Bobby. However, Collins really shows us how little rights women have at this time and how they are controlled and manipulated by power-hungry men. Adelaide is certainly a victim of this and you can't help but just hurt for her because she longs to be with Bobby and live their lives separate from Castilla's men's power.
Landon Black, a cowboy working for Castilla, meets Maggie and you can tell he's a fun-loving, flirty character, who also has a sensitive side. He has known loss also and initially connects with Maggie that way, but he is persistent in his attentions to her. The scenes with Maggie and Landon made me laugh, because she is so proper and a bit naïve. Yet, she feels a longing for Landon she's never experienced before. I did like that Collins didn't make their relationship the primary element in the book. She did a great job of weaving it into the background to where it was present, but not overwhelming. (I will say Collins did have me flying through the pages at one point because she gave us a plot twist that I just couldn't deal with. The mantra, 'No, no, no, no- it can't be true' kept repeating through my head.)
The heart of the story is the action. Towns are being burned and no one knows who is doing it or why. They believe the Apaches are the ones burning and razing towns, but they have no solid proof. Having been rescued by a young Apache, Maggie does not believe it is them and is determined to find out who is behind it before letting innocent men die. However, after almost losing her sister, Maggie's purpose shifts to taking care of her and making sure she is happy and healthy. Alvar Castilla is there to save the day yet again and offers room and board for both Maggie and her sister at his estate. She accepts as she is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to keep her sister cared for. However, everything comes at a price and Maggie must decide whether or not a comfortable lifestyle is worth that.
The magical aspect of the novel was really interesting for me. I like the idea of relic magic and learning about the different kinds and how it worked. Maggie is drawn to the relic renery and it is there she first meets Alvar Castilla. She is drawn to the energy of the relics and after an incident, Castilla realizes she may be more than meets the eye when it comes to relic magic. After providing her a job at the saloon and after saving her sister, Castilla insists she begin training with him, as he knows she has a gift and he intends to discover it. Even though Castilla has shown nothing but the most utmost care and kindness, you can't help but wonder if his motives are pure. Typically men like Castilla do nothing but for their own gain and power, so I was definitely flying through the pages to find out what really was going on.
Overall, I found this to be a compelling, enjoyable read. I loved how Collins used the Western setting and mentality and weaved in magic and fantasy. I do feel Collins left herself room for a sequel if she so chooses and I certainly wouldn't mind reading another book about this world and seeing how the characters fare after everything they go through in this novel. It certainly is no picnic! Maggie and her sister, Ella, have been through a lot and watching them struggle to accept their losses and move forward in a world where respectable work is scarce, is really fascinating. The two are forced to grow up faster than two girls should, but when survival is on the line, the question isn't what to do- it's what wouldn't you do for the one you have sworn to protect?
*Received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
I really enjoyed Relic. From the very first page I was engaged and immediately drawn into the absolute horror that was occurring so early on in the novel. You cannot help but feel overwhelming sorrow for the main character, Maggie. Tragedy strikes her right away and at 16, she is left to take care of her younger sister, Ella. After fleeing to a nearby monastery, Maggie knows she cannot take advantage of their hospitality forever, as times are tough all around. She ventures out into the closest town and starts looking for work. She comes across Alvar Castilla, a haciendo who is both wealthy and influential. I wasn't sure what to make of Alvar first. My spidey sense was tingling and I didn't feel I could completely trust him. I think it was all of the 'flicker of expressions' that made me doubt his intentions. However, he did swoop in and save the day, providing Maggie with a job at a local saloon cleaning floors and serving drinks.
It is here she meets Adelaide, who is a showgirl, and Landon, a cowboy who works for Castilla. I really liked Adelaide, even though she was a minor character. Her situation as a showgirl is less than desirable, but she makes it work- having fallen for a cowboy named Bobby. However, Collins really shows us how little rights women have at this time and how they are controlled and manipulated by power-hungry men. Adelaide is certainly a victim of this and you can't help but just hurt for her because she longs to be with Bobby and live their lives separate from Castilla's men's power.
Landon Black, a cowboy working for Castilla, meets Maggie and you can tell he's a fun-loving, flirty character, who also has a sensitive side. He has known loss also and initially connects with Maggie that way, but he is persistent in his attentions to her. The scenes with Maggie and Landon made me laugh, because she is so proper and a bit naïve. Yet, she feels a longing for Landon she's never experienced before. I did like that Collins didn't make their relationship the primary element in the book. She did a great job of weaving it into the background to where it was present, but not overwhelming. (I will say Collins did have me flying through the pages at one point because she gave us a plot twist that I just couldn't deal with. The mantra, 'No, no, no, no- it can't be true' kept repeating through my head.)
The heart of the story is the action. Towns are being burned and no one knows who is doing it or why. They believe the Apaches are the ones burning and razing towns, but they have no solid proof. Having been rescued by a young Apache, Maggie does not believe it is them and is determined to find out who is behind it before letting innocent men die. However, after almost losing her sister, Maggie's purpose shifts to taking care of her and making sure she is happy and healthy. Alvar Castilla is there to save the day yet again and offers room and board for both Maggie and her sister at his estate. She accepts as she is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to keep her sister cared for. However, everything comes at a price and Maggie must decide whether or not a comfortable lifestyle is worth that.
The magical aspect of the novel was really interesting for me. I like the idea of relic magic and learning about the different kinds and how it worked. Maggie is drawn to the relic renery and it is there she first meets Alvar Castilla. She is drawn to the energy of the relics and after an incident, Castilla realizes she may be more than meets the eye when it comes to relic magic. After providing her a job at the saloon and after saving her sister, Castilla insists she begin training with him, as he knows she has a gift and he intends to discover it. Even though Castilla has shown nothing but the most utmost care and kindness, you can't help but wonder if his motives are pure. Typically men like Castilla do nothing but for their own gain and power, so I was definitely flying through the pages to find out what really was going on.
Overall, I found this to be a compelling, enjoyable read. I loved how Collins used the Western setting and mentality and weaved in magic and fantasy. I do feel Collins left herself room for a sequel if she so chooses and I certainly wouldn't mind reading another book about this world and seeing how the characters fare after everything they go through in this novel. It certainly is no picnic! Maggie and her sister, Ella, have been through a lot and watching them struggle to accept their losses and move forward in a world where respectable work is scarce, is really fascinating. The two are forced to grow up faster than two girls should, but when survival is on the line, the question isn't what to do- it's what wouldn't you do for the one you have sworn to protect?
*Received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
August 27, 2013
Relic Renee Collins.
ARC provided by publisher.
Wow – what a book!! It totally blew me away. I wasn't sure what to expect, I knew the book was in the paranormal genre, and thought I recalled in being classed as romance too. I hoped so because I do love a good romantic angle in my reading.
It begins with Maggi,e at home in what seems to be a small shack, with her brother and young sister. There's a smell of burning and they realise that they have to run to safety before their home is burned, and not wait for their parents to return from the town. There's mention of the family relic, a sort of mystical gem/fossil that has magical powers and Maggie takes it with them as its the family's most precious possession.
We learn a bit more about Maggies' background and the Relics. The world it's set in is a sort of 17-1800's wild west type scenario, with Maggie and her family scraping a living from the land, and mention of the neighbouring Apache Indians. The relics are remnants of a time in history long gone, where magic and mystical creatures lived and roamed the earth. After the biblical flood they were all wiped out, and all that remains are bones that are ground and polished and carry residuals of the magic from the original creatures. This part was fascinating, Renee manages to weave it into what reads like a slice of history as we know it, but where everyone accepts that magic is real. There are books written about relics, their different types and purpose, and there are specialists who buy and sell them. The Relics command a high price and Maggies' family paid dearly for their precious water relic, hoping it would enable them to keep growing things on their lands despite the droughts.
Quickly the main people emerge in the story, Maggie and her little sister Ella, the Indian Yahn, Alvar, a rich landowner and Landon, the cowboy Maggie is very close to. Then there are her friends Moon John, relic specialist, and Adelaide, showgirl and reluctant whore at the Desert Rose, who befriends her when she works as barkeep/cleaner there. There are others of course, but these characters make up the bulk of the story. There's magic in the way Renee weaves the legends about the Relics, the way they are mined and sought after, the way power and money control so much and cause such corruption in the search for more. We can't work out who is good and who is bad, I kept thinking I'd grasped something, and then an incident would change my mind. I loved the way Renee describes how the relics work, the horse with ties back to Pegasus, the fire, air and water Relics, the Goblin stones that allow people to move unseen. Then there's the strange creatures, the Ghost coyote and the fierce poison spitting Rock Devils, and the banned shadow Relics which are used for eveil intents. There's so much detail to take in throughout this book its one that I know I'll enjoy even more on second reading. I just love the idea of these pieces of magic from history that are used in the present. The fairy dance at the Hacienda was wonderful, where the dancers were sprinkled with fairy dust which allowed them to float in the ballroom. The descriptions of the costumes too were wonderful, and all contrasting with the poverty in which Maggie and so many others were living in most of the time.
Its like reading a slice of the wild west with the addition of magic turning reality as we know it into something entirely different. Of course as well as the way the relics are used for good magic, there's the other side, the way its used for power and control, used to kill and hide evil doings. The book covers how its involved in the burning of not just Maggies' home-town but other towns, the way the Indians are always an easy target to blame. Then throughout the story there's the thread of potential romance for Maggie, but with Landon, Alvar or Yahn? Its a close run event and just when I think one is in the running for favourite, something happens to overturn that and leave it wide again.
Its a wonderful story, lovely and long at 400 pages in paperback which means Renee really gets the chance to let us know the characters in some depth, their emotions and motives, and the constant struggle for Maggie of what is the right thing to do. Its a gem of a book, weaving history, reality and magic into a seamless blend of a magical, wondrous story that will remain with the reader long after its finished. One of my favourite types of books, the type where we really get to feel for the characters and even some of the “bad” ones have had excuses and motives for what they did. I loved it and that ending! Just superb, I really didn't expect that. Its a book to read to escape into another world for a few hours.
Its pretty clear the story of the Relics and Maggie can continue and I'd love to read more of them once its done.
Stars: well, its a cracking magical story with that gentle thread of romance twisting throughout and for me its a five star gem.
ARC provided by publisher.
Wow – what a book!! It totally blew me away. I wasn't sure what to expect, I knew the book was in the paranormal genre, and thought I recalled in being classed as romance too. I hoped so because I do love a good romantic angle in my reading.
It begins with Maggi,e at home in what seems to be a small shack, with her brother and young sister. There's a smell of burning and they realise that they have to run to safety before their home is burned, and not wait for their parents to return from the town. There's mention of the family relic, a sort of mystical gem/fossil that has magical powers and Maggie takes it with them as its the family's most precious possession.
We learn a bit more about Maggies' background and the Relics. The world it's set in is a sort of 17-1800's wild west type scenario, with Maggie and her family scraping a living from the land, and mention of the neighbouring Apache Indians. The relics are remnants of a time in history long gone, where magic and mystical creatures lived and roamed the earth. After the biblical flood they were all wiped out, and all that remains are bones that are ground and polished and carry residuals of the magic from the original creatures. This part was fascinating, Renee manages to weave it into what reads like a slice of history as we know it, but where everyone accepts that magic is real. There are books written about relics, their different types and purpose, and there are specialists who buy and sell them. The Relics command a high price and Maggies' family paid dearly for their precious water relic, hoping it would enable them to keep growing things on their lands despite the droughts.
Quickly the main people emerge in the story, Maggie and her little sister Ella, the Indian Yahn, Alvar, a rich landowner and Landon, the cowboy Maggie is very close to. Then there are her friends Moon John, relic specialist, and Adelaide, showgirl and reluctant whore at the Desert Rose, who befriends her when she works as barkeep/cleaner there. There are others of course, but these characters make up the bulk of the story. There's magic in the way Renee weaves the legends about the Relics, the way they are mined and sought after, the way power and money control so much and cause such corruption in the search for more. We can't work out who is good and who is bad, I kept thinking I'd grasped something, and then an incident would change my mind. I loved the way Renee describes how the relics work, the horse with ties back to Pegasus, the fire, air and water Relics, the Goblin stones that allow people to move unseen. Then there's the strange creatures, the Ghost coyote and the fierce poison spitting Rock Devils, and the banned shadow Relics which are used for eveil intents. There's so much detail to take in throughout this book its one that I know I'll enjoy even more on second reading. I just love the idea of these pieces of magic from history that are used in the present. The fairy dance at the Hacienda was wonderful, where the dancers were sprinkled with fairy dust which allowed them to float in the ballroom. The descriptions of the costumes too were wonderful, and all contrasting with the poverty in which Maggie and so many others were living in most of the time.
Its like reading a slice of the wild west with the addition of magic turning reality as we know it into something entirely different. Of course as well as the way the relics are used for good magic, there's the other side, the way its used for power and control, used to kill and hide evil doings. The book covers how its involved in the burning of not just Maggies' home-town but other towns, the way the Indians are always an easy target to blame. Then throughout the story there's the thread of potential romance for Maggie, but with Landon, Alvar or Yahn? Its a close run event and just when I think one is in the running for favourite, something happens to overturn that and leave it wide again.
Its a wonderful story, lovely and long at 400 pages in paperback which means Renee really gets the chance to let us know the characters in some depth, their emotions and motives, and the constant struggle for Maggie of what is the right thing to do. Its a gem of a book, weaving history, reality and magic into a seamless blend of a magical, wondrous story that will remain with the reader long after its finished. One of my favourite types of books, the type where we really get to feel for the characters and even some of the “bad” ones have had excuses and motives for what they did. I loved it and that ending! Just superb, I really didn't expect that. Its a book to read to escape into another world for a few hours.
Its pretty clear the story of the Relics and Maggie can continue and I'd love to read more of them once its done.
Stars: well, its a cracking magical story with that gentle thread of romance twisting throughout and for me its a five star gem.
Read
September 2, 2013RELIC is unlike any fantasy novel I've read before. For one thing, it takes place in the Wild West. I've never read any fantasy novel from this time period before. The use of relics composed of the bones of extinct fantastic beasts is also innovative and new, at least to me. The book is just the right length, too. I prefer my fantasy novels longer, because I lose something when they're too short. Characters, setting, world-building...something is always underdeveloped. RELIC clocks in at 400 pages, but it reads so fast that I could easily believe I read half that in the time it took me to devour this book. When it came to the end, I wanted more. Despite a full-circle ending, there's enough room for a sequel should Renee Collins choose to write one, and I already want it if she does!
Collins chooses to throw readers straight into the action from page one. Maggie has been left at home in charge of her two younger siblings while her parents went to a political meeting. The only problem? They never come home. Maggie sees fire on the horizon and riders with torches heading her way. She rounds up her brother and sister, and together they flee to their safe place. Even that is no longer safe, though, and right when they're about to be devoured by fire, a young Apache warrior,Yahn, swoops in to save the day. Maggie loses so much that fateful night, but is determined to live and survive. She goes to Burning Mesa, a local town, looking for work in a relic refinery, only to be propositioned by a shady man looking for a new girl for The Desert Rose, his seedy saloon. She refuses to degrade herself in such a place, and manages to get a job on the wait staff instead. Her visit at the relic refinery doesn't go unnoticed, however, and more eyes are watching her than she can imagine. Maggie has a way with relics, a way that people will go to great lengths to control. She finds herself in a dangerous game of survival as towns continue to burn and the truth behind her abilities begins to come out.
I love the use of relics in Collins' debut novel. Relics are created from the bones of deceased mystical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, mermaids, vampires, etc. Different shards give unique properties and abilities to their human users, and are often contained in pieces of jewelry. They are hard to come by and extremely expensive. Relic bones can also be liquified or turned into powder. There's a even a scene where it is mentioned that champagne has been shipped from France paced with yeti relic ice. There's a beautiful scene about halfway through the book where Maggie is dusted in sky magic, or fairy relic powder, which enables her and other guests to float in the air for a stunning, imaginative relic waltz. Only the very rich can afford to be so impractical and laissez-faire with relics. How can I better describe relics and what they can do, since they're such a foreign concept?
Here's a quick excerpt of one of Maggie's first brushes with relics and their nature:
{Excerpt found exclusively on my blog A Backwards Story)
I've never seen a spin quite like this in fantasy before, where relics work in this fashion. I'm also a big fan of the unique setting. Who would think to weld fantasy to the Wild West? It took me a while to figure out the setting since I'd forgotten much of the book's summary going into it, and I like going into books blind. The book had a very "old" feel to it, but mentioned US cities, so I wasn't sure what time period we were in until I encountered saloons and cowboys and sheriffs. I loved the way all these historical components welded together and created a unique story. There was also a bit of a Spanish flavor mixed in, which reminds me of Rae Carson's stellar Girl of Fire and Thorns Trilogy, of which the final book, THE BITTER KINGDOM, actually shares a book birthday with RELIC this week. There's also the inclusion of the Apache, or the Natives, and what could have quickly become a racist inclusion was handled well and delicately in a way that gives character to this intriguing group. I hope to see a lot more of the Apache in the future, especially if those scenes include the intriguing Yahn! Yahn is a prospective romantic possibility for Maggie, as is the cowboy Landon. Romance doesn't play a huge role in RELIC, since the focus is on fantasy and the relics, which is a nice change of pace from other YA books out there that lose the fantasy in favor of the romance. Maggie has a good head on her shoulders, and I'm glad to see that she doesn't take boys lightly. It will be interesting to watch her grow up and evolve should Collins write more novels!
Collins chooses to throw readers straight into the action from page one. Maggie has been left at home in charge of her two younger siblings while her parents went to a political meeting. The only problem? They never come home. Maggie sees fire on the horizon and riders with torches heading her way. She rounds up her brother and sister, and together they flee to their safe place. Even that is no longer safe, though, and right when they're about to be devoured by fire, a young Apache warrior,Yahn, swoops in to save the day. Maggie loses so much that fateful night, but is determined to live and survive. She goes to Burning Mesa, a local town, looking for work in a relic refinery, only to be propositioned by a shady man looking for a new girl for The Desert Rose, his seedy saloon. She refuses to degrade herself in such a place, and manages to get a job on the wait staff instead. Her visit at the relic refinery doesn't go unnoticed, however, and more eyes are watching her than she can imagine. Maggie has a way with relics, a way that people will go to great lengths to control. She finds herself in a dangerous game of survival as towns continue to burn and the truth behind her abilities begins to come out.
I love the use of relics in Collins' debut novel. Relics are created from the bones of deceased mystical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, mermaids, vampires, etc. Different shards give unique properties and abilities to their human users, and are often contained in pieces of jewelry. They are hard to come by and extremely expensive. Relic bones can also be liquified or turned into powder. There's a even a scene where it is mentioned that champagne has been shipped from France paced with yeti relic ice. There's a beautiful scene about halfway through the book where Maggie is dusted in sky magic, or fairy relic powder, which enables her and other guests to float in the air for a stunning, imaginative relic waltz. Only the very rich can afford to be so impractical and laissez-faire with relics. How can I better describe relics and what they can do, since they're such a foreign concept?
Here's a quick excerpt of one of Maggie's first brushes with relics and their nature:
{Excerpt found exclusively on my blog A Backwards Story)
I've never seen a spin quite like this in fantasy before, where relics work in this fashion. I'm also a big fan of the unique setting. Who would think to weld fantasy to the Wild West? It took me a while to figure out the setting since I'd forgotten much of the book's summary going into it, and I like going into books blind. The book had a very "old" feel to it, but mentioned US cities, so I wasn't sure what time period we were in until I encountered saloons and cowboys and sheriffs. I loved the way all these historical components welded together and created a unique story. There was also a bit of a Spanish flavor mixed in, which reminds me of Rae Carson's stellar Girl of Fire and Thorns Trilogy, of which the final book, THE BITTER KINGDOM, actually shares a book birthday with RELIC this week. There's also the inclusion of the Apache, or the Natives, and what could have quickly become a racist inclusion was handled well and delicately in a way that gives character to this intriguing group. I hope to see a lot more of the Apache in the future, especially if those scenes include the intriguing Yahn! Yahn is a prospective romantic possibility for Maggie, as is the cowboy Landon. Romance doesn't play a huge role in RELIC, since the focus is on fantasy and the relics, which is a nice change of pace from other YA books out there that lose the fantasy in favor of the romance. Maggie has a good head on her shoulders, and I'm glad to see that she doesn't take boys lightly. It will be interesting to watch her grow up and evolve should Collins write more novels!
July 1, 2013
*I received an ARC ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Maggie Davis led a fairly normal life until the fire. At 16, she had a younger brother and sister and parents who loved them all. She passed time by reading about relics, the pieces of long-ago magical creatures that everyone wanted. Some were common ones, ones to help with water needs in case of a drought. But others were so powerful they could manipulate minds. Maggie dreamed of one day working with these relics when the fire took everyone in her family away but her younger sister, Ella. Forced to work in a more-than-slightly scandalous saloon, Maggie is shocked when a rich relic baron tells her he thinks she has a gift with relics and offers to take care of her and Ella. Throw in Landon, a cowboy who may understand Maggie more than she thinks, Adelaide, a show girl at the saloon, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, you have this wonderful fantasy/historical novel.
I started off with this book with mixed feelings. I LOVED the unique idea of relics, but I usually stay away from historical fiction with Western-y stuff in it, like cowboys and Indians. Nothing wrong with either one, they just don't usually appeal to me. But I still thought the story sounded too good to pass up, so I gave it a shot, and I am so, so glad I did. This story had my attention from the first page and it kept it till the very end. Maggie's world is one of the most original worlds I've ever read. The combination of fantasy, history, romance, and mystery was superb. It was something new and exciting, and I can only hope we learn even more about it in the next book (There is a next one, right?).
Maggie was a wonderful character. She isn't ready to be a mother to her sister, but she gives it all she has. She's a girl with a backbone and isn't afraid to stick up for herself, but sometimes she doesn't recognize when she needs to do that. She makes mistakes, but she never gives up on protecting the people she loves and she knows what it right and wrong. She still has the innocence of her youth and tries to see the best in people, but she is far from naive when she sees someone she knows is evil. I liked that about her a lot. She fit her age very well, while also fitting the position a young woman without parents or a husband would be in at the time, giving her a maturity that will appeal to older readers.
There is romance in this, and it is not the main part of the book. Though I love the swoon-worthy YA love interests we have been seeing a lot and their tragic/heart-breaking/wonderful relationships, I was glad this story wasn't it. It gave way to the real focus of the story, Maggie herself, her struggle to do what is best and how to figure out what is best when she never expected she had to know so soon. It's about how friendships and family will impact you and change your life. It's about what you do when evil is going on so strongly around you and you have to be brave enough to fight back, even if you are the only one doing so. The romance in here is great and real and makes an excellent sort of background to showcase how Maggie is growing. Though having said that, I would really like to see more of it in a sequel (again, please tell me there will be a sequel) so we can see how Maggie will handle it now that her character has developed so far.
Though I adored Maggie, I think my favorite character was Adelaide. She was an unexpected best friend to Maggie with her own tragedy going on, a tragedy I don't think we have seen the last of. She has a dark past and a dark present. But even so, she tries her hardest to be a good friend and to keep fighting, even though she doesn't know how. She does have weak moments, but I think there is a strength in her that we are only beginning to see. Though they have very different backgrounds, Maggie and her make a strong friendship.
The only negative (and this is NOT a big negative, just one I think should be mentioned) I had was with Ella and Landon. I thought their characters were great, but I wanted to see more of them. Ella is such a big part of Maggie, and though she is mentioned regularly, I would've liked more dialogue with her to get to know her character better. The same goes for Landon. I felt there were excellent glimpses of who these two are, but I was eager to get more than a glimpse. Of course, you can't fit every detail of every character in one book, and I completely understand that. Just feel free to tell me more about them in the future books (There has to be a sequel....right?!).
Great read, loved it, 5/5 stars.
Maggie Davis led a fairly normal life until the fire. At 16, she had a younger brother and sister and parents who loved them all. She passed time by reading about relics, the pieces of long-ago magical creatures that everyone wanted. Some were common ones, ones to help with water needs in case of a drought. But others were so powerful they could manipulate minds. Maggie dreamed of one day working with these relics when the fire took everyone in her family away but her younger sister, Ella. Forced to work in a more-than-slightly scandalous saloon, Maggie is shocked when a rich relic baron tells her he thinks she has a gift with relics and offers to take care of her and Ella. Throw in Landon, a cowboy who may understand Maggie more than she thinks, Adelaide, a show girl at the saloon, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, you have this wonderful fantasy/historical novel.
I started off with this book with mixed feelings. I LOVED the unique idea of relics, but I usually stay away from historical fiction with Western-y stuff in it, like cowboys and Indians. Nothing wrong with either one, they just don't usually appeal to me. But I still thought the story sounded too good to pass up, so I gave it a shot, and I am so, so glad I did. This story had my attention from the first page and it kept it till the very end. Maggie's world is one of the most original worlds I've ever read. The combination of fantasy, history, romance, and mystery was superb. It was something new and exciting, and I can only hope we learn even more about it in the next book (There is a next one, right?).
Maggie was a wonderful character. She isn't ready to be a mother to her sister, but she gives it all she has. She's a girl with a backbone and isn't afraid to stick up for herself, but sometimes she doesn't recognize when she needs to do that. She makes mistakes, but she never gives up on protecting the people she loves and she knows what it right and wrong. She still has the innocence of her youth and tries to see the best in people, but she is far from naive when she sees someone she knows is evil. I liked that about her a lot. She fit her age very well, while also fitting the position a young woman without parents or a husband would be in at the time, giving her a maturity that will appeal to older readers.
There is romance in this, and it is not the main part of the book. Though I love the swoon-worthy YA love interests we have been seeing a lot and their tragic/heart-breaking/wonderful relationships, I was glad this story wasn't it. It gave way to the real focus of the story, Maggie herself, her struggle to do what is best and how to figure out what is best when she never expected she had to know so soon. It's about how friendships and family will impact you and change your life. It's about what you do when evil is going on so strongly around you and you have to be brave enough to fight back, even if you are the only one doing so. The romance in here is great and real and makes an excellent sort of background to showcase how Maggie is growing. Though having said that, I would really like to see more of it in a sequel (again, please tell me there will be a sequel) so we can see how Maggie will handle it now that her character has developed so far.
Though I adored Maggie, I think my favorite character was Adelaide. She was an unexpected best friend to Maggie with her own tragedy going on, a tragedy I don't think we have seen the last of. She has a dark past and a dark present. But even so, she tries her hardest to be a good friend and to keep fighting, even though she doesn't know how. She does have weak moments, but I think there is a strength in her that we are only beginning to see. Though they have very different backgrounds, Maggie and her make a strong friendship.
The only negative (and this is NOT a big negative, just one I think should be mentioned) I had was with Ella and Landon. I thought their characters were great, but I wanted to see more of them. Ella is such a big part of Maggie, and though she is mentioned regularly, I would've liked more dialogue with her to get to know her character better. The same goes for Landon. I felt there were excellent glimpses of who these two are, but I was eager to get more than a glimpse. Of course, you can't fit every detail of every character in one book, and I completely understand that. Just feel free to tell me more about them in the future books (There has to be a sequel....right?!).
Great read, loved it, 5/5 stars.
August 31, 2013
You can read this and many other reviews on my YA book blog The White Unicorn!
What can I say? I thoroughly adore this book! Is it odd to adore a book with so much death and magic and craziness going on? Well, if it is, I don't care, I still adore this book! Relic is the perfect book that shows when the right person puts weird elements together and mixes them up in a blender, it can turn into something magical. And yes, for your information that was a pun and it was totally intended. (the magical part, not the blender part) Collins has created something that is completely unique, pulling inspiration from so many different things and making it all work together.
All in all Relic is a western. It's got horses and guns and hunky cowboys and rich Spanish ranchers and Indians. It's got bars and small towns and sheriffs. It has dance hall girls and people fighting for justice and every other thing that makes a really good western. It has the feeling of a John Wayne movie. It's a story that makes you want to climb up on the back of your own trusty steed and jump into it's well rounded, seemingly historically accurate pages.
But on the flip side there is this whole other thing going on. Magic and weird creatures lurk in the darkest corners of the open lands. People don't dig up gold and silver, they dig up the old bones of mythical creatures and use the magic that has been horded by the familiar beings of myth. Collins also plays with the animals that we know, tweaking them, molding them into the living ancestors of the dead things, long gone and buried in the ground.
I guess what I'm saying is that Collins' world building is fantastic and even though none of the relic magic is real, she still makes it all believable. I think that this is brought on by the mixture of a story that is easy to relate to and characters that have you rooting for them the whole time. She doesn't go easy on any of the cast that she has assembled in the pages. No one is safe from being drug through hell, but it makes the story that more interesting.
Maggie, Adelaide, Landon and Alvar only scratch the surface of the awesome characters that bring this story to life. They might be the main characters, but it's some of the smaller roles that really propel the smaller story lines. Basically there are no throw away characters to be found. And even when you think you've found one, they jump up and laugh in your face while doing something extraordinary.
Maggie is one hell of a protagonist. She was so strong and sad and brave. Things happen to her that should never happen to someone so young and yet she pulls herself back up and keeps fighting even when most people would give up. She had spunk and really knew what she stood for, even when the people around her doubted her motives. Her convictions and strengths made her someone to look up to and someone that you wanted to win.
As corny as it sounds Relic wasn't just a book, but an experience. Honestly it was an experience that I didn't think I'd be getting, but I'm so glad that I did. In my opinion you can never go wrong with a good old fashioned good vs. evil story. And who am I kidding, that's what this book was. I can't wait to return to the world of Relic, can I get the sequel now?
*book was provided by publisher for honest review*
What can I say? I thoroughly adore this book! Is it odd to adore a book with so much death and magic and craziness going on? Well, if it is, I don't care, I still adore this book! Relic is the perfect book that shows when the right person puts weird elements together and mixes them up in a blender, it can turn into something magical. And yes, for your information that was a pun and it was totally intended. (the magical part, not the blender part) Collins has created something that is completely unique, pulling inspiration from so many different things and making it all work together.
All in all Relic is a western. It's got horses and guns and hunky cowboys and rich Spanish ranchers and Indians. It's got bars and small towns and sheriffs. It has dance hall girls and people fighting for justice and every other thing that makes a really good western. It has the feeling of a John Wayne movie. It's a story that makes you want to climb up on the back of your own trusty steed and jump into it's well rounded, seemingly historically accurate pages.
But on the flip side there is this whole other thing going on. Magic and weird creatures lurk in the darkest corners of the open lands. People don't dig up gold and silver, they dig up the old bones of mythical creatures and use the magic that has been horded by the familiar beings of myth. Collins also plays with the animals that we know, tweaking them, molding them into the living ancestors of the dead things, long gone and buried in the ground.
I guess what I'm saying is that Collins' world building is fantastic and even though none of the relic magic is real, she still makes it all believable. I think that this is brought on by the mixture of a story that is easy to relate to and characters that have you rooting for them the whole time. She doesn't go easy on any of the cast that she has assembled in the pages. No one is safe from being drug through hell, but it makes the story that more interesting.
Maggie, Adelaide, Landon and Alvar only scratch the surface of the awesome characters that bring this story to life. They might be the main characters, but it's some of the smaller roles that really propel the smaller story lines. Basically there are no throw away characters to be found. And even when you think you've found one, they jump up and laugh in your face while doing something extraordinary.
Maggie is one hell of a protagonist. She was so strong and sad and brave. Things happen to her that should never happen to someone so young and yet she pulls herself back up and keeps fighting even when most people would give up. She had spunk and really knew what she stood for, even when the people around her doubted her motives. Her convictions and strengths made her someone to look up to and someone that you wanted to win.
As corny as it sounds Relic wasn't just a book, but an experience. Honestly it was an experience that I didn't think I'd be getting, but I'm so glad that I did. In my opinion you can never go wrong with a good old fashioned good vs. evil story. And who am I kidding, that's what this book was. I can't wait to return to the world of Relic, can I get the sequel now?
*book was provided by publisher for honest review*
August 30, 2013
I received this as an ARC
When I first started this book I wasn’t sure what to expect and I’m not going to lie it took me a little bit to figure everything out. Have you ever watched a T.V. show where it takes like 8 or 9 episodes of the 12 episode show to figure out what the heck is going on? And you are just so intrigued that you have to continue to find out and understand. Well this book was like that for me, but in a good way.
The book takes please out in the 1700-1800ish Wild West era. Maggie Davis is our wonderful main character and I love everything about her. Her wonderful way to attract the wrong attention, they way she stands out and up for herself and others. The protectiveness that she shows those closest to her, and her fierce undying fire to follow her dreams.
After tragedy strikes Maggie’s home town, Maggie tries to start over in Burning Mesa with her little sister Ella. I have mixed emotions about Ella and her bratiness, on one hand I understand it, but on the other suck it up. So as Maggie earns her keep and money working at a local saloon she ends up making friends with the last person in the world Maggie ever though she would, Adelaid the show girl at the saloon. I should mention that Maggie is very conservative during this time frame and Adelaid is pretty much the exact opposite.
The richest man in the area is Alvar Castilla and when he finds out about Maggie’s special talent with relics he immediately becomes interested in her. He invests a lot into all different types of relics, especially rare ones. One of my favorite scenes involves, Fairy Relic Powder, and when I read about the vals vuelo de Espana I was so involved and taken with the story that it was all I could do to not imagine myself being there during that time.
There is a lot that goes on in this book. We learn a lot about the Apaches, especially Maggie’s friend Yahn, and their rising revolts on the towns. We also get to learn about Landon. OMG I love Landon. He is the perfect mix of cowboy/western/gentlemen/ladies man/sweet talking/smooth shooting/riding man of my dreams. If I could go back in time to be in this era, it would be worth it to just get a chance at being with Landon.
So if you haven’t picked up yet relics are the main gist of this story. The way the history of relics and their uses is described just pulls the reader in to want to know more. It’s pure magical and one of the greatest forms of imagination I’ve ever seen. Two things that get me more than anything else is any form of magic and love. Adding some awesome history to that and AMAZING writing only makes this book so much better. I loved that this book wasn’t cut short and fully explained everything it needed.
Of course there are a lot of plot twists that keep the reader guessing until the end about what is going to happen. Although at one point Maggie got pretty mad (which doesn’t really happen) and all I kept envisioning in my head was that she was going to have flames shooting out of her arms and destroying everything in sight to get to her destination.
I’ve never quite read a book like this and I’m so excited that as a new author I was able to get the chance to read this amazing book and help promote it. I can’t wait to see what will happen next for Maggie.
When I first started this book I wasn’t sure what to expect and I’m not going to lie it took me a little bit to figure everything out. Have you ever watched a T.V. show where it takes like 8 or 9 episodes of the 12 episode show to figure out what the heck is going on? And you are just so intrigued that you have to continue to find out and understand. Well this book was like that for me, but in a good way.
The book takes please out in the 1700-1800ish Wild West era. Maggie Davis is our wonderful main character and I love everything about her. Her wonderful way to attract the wrong attention, they way she stands out and up for herself and others. The protectiveness that she shows those closest to her, and her fierce undying fire to follow her dreams.
After tragedy strikes Maggie’s home town, Maggie tries to start over in Burning Mesa with her little sister Ella. I have mixed emotions about Ella and her bratiness, on one hand I understand it, but on the other suck it up. So as Maggie earns her keep and money working at a local saloon she ends up making friends with the last person in the world Maggie ever though she would, Adelaid the show girl at the saloon. I should mention that Maggie is very conservative during this time frame and Adelaid is pretty much the exact opposite.
The richest man in the area is Alvar Castilla and when he finds out about Maggie’s special talent with relics he immediately becomes interested in her. He invests a lot into all different types of relics, especially rare ones. One of my favorite scenes involves, Fairy Relic Powder, and when I read about the vals vuelo de Espana I was so involved and taken with the story that it was all I could do to not imagine myself being there during that time.
There is a lot that goes on in this book. We learn a lot about the Apaches, especially Maggie’s friend Yahn, and their rising revolts on the towns. We also get to learn about Landon. OMG I love Landon. He is the perfect mix of cowboy/western/gentlemen/ladies man/sweet talking/smooth shooting/riding man of my dreams. If I could go back in time to be in this era, it would be worth it to just get a chance at being with Landon.
So if you haven’t picked up yet relics are the main gist of this story. The way the history of relics and their uses is described just pulls the reader in to want to know more. It’s pure magical and one of the greatest forms of imagination I’ve ever seen. Two things that get me more than anything else is any form of magic and love. Adding some awesome history to that and AMAZING writing only makes this book so much better. I loved that this book wasn’t cut short and fully explained everything it needed.
Of course there are a lot of plot twists that keep the reader guessing until the end about what is going to happen. Although at one point Maggie got pretty mad (which doesn’t really happen) and all I kept envisioning in my head was that she was going to have flames shooting out of her arms and destroying everything in sight to get to her destination.
I’ve never quite read a book like this and I’m so excited that as a new author I was able to get the chance to read this amazing book and help promote it. I can’t wait to see what will happen next for Maggie.
August 19, 2013
Oh my goodness, where do I start? Well, I was truly and utterly captivated by RELIC. This book truly had it all. A smart and fierce heroine, a sexy cowboy, a mysterious Apache boy, magic, mystery, and intrigue! All thrown into in a brilliantly imagined world, set in an alternate Wild West where anything can happen, and magic comes from the bones of some of our favorote paranormal creatures!
The book takes off with a tension filled scene. Our heroine Maggie Davis's entire town, including her parents, is razed to the ground by a raging fire. She is then forced to find a way to support herself and her young sister Ella. This is not an easy thing to do for a sixteen year old girl in the 1800's Wild West! What she must do for them to survive catapults her into a world of danger and mystery, all surrounding the coveted "relics".
The charaters in this story were extremely well written. Love them or hate them, you definitely FEEL something for every single character in RELIC. There was not one important character in this book that I was not heavily invested in. I truly love when an author writes characters that evoke true emotion(whatever that emotion may be) in me while reading them, and this was definitely the case here.
The plot and pacing were spot-on! Every part of the story was perfectly developed, without causing any part of the story to drag whatsoever. I always felt that urgent need to keep flipping pages, well at the same time wanting to savor every word and moment.
The relationship between Landon(the cowbow) and Maggie was perfectly written. I don't want to give anything away, so I will just say that there is PLENTY of romance in Relic. I also loved the friendship between Maggie and Adelaide(the showgirl). Adelaide has such a hard life in the story, but she is also super funny and I really enjoyed reading the scenes she appeared in.
The writing is lush, descriptive, thrilling, and fit perfectly with the time period. Since this book is written in a first-person POV, not only the dialogue, but the writing as a whole has to sound like someone from the 1800's Wild West would speak. This is where I find that some writers of historical fantasy flop, but Renee Collins got it just right.
I am so glad that I got the chance to read an early copy of this book. It was magical in every sense of the word. You will be amazed by the way Collins creates a wholly new and exciting world of fantasy. Though I would LOVE a sequel or companion to RELIC, I will most definitely be picking up whatever Renee Collins writes next!
Check out my other reviews, giveaways, author interviews, & more at my blog Jessabella Reads
The book takes off with a tension filled scene. Our heroine Maggie Davis's entire town, including her parents, is razed to the ground by a raging fire. She is then forced to find a way to support herself and her young sister Ella. This is not an easy thing to do for a sixteen year old girl in the 1800's Wild West! What she must do for them to survive catapults her into a world of danger and mystery, all surrounding the coveted "relics".
The charaters in this story were extremely well written. Love them or hate them, you definitely FEEL something for every single character in RELIC. There was not one important character in this book that I was not heavily invested in. I truly love when an author writes characters that evoke true emotion(whatever that emotion may be) in me while reading them, and this was definitely the case here.
The plot and pacing were spot-on! Every part of the story was perfectly developed, without causing any part of the story to drag whatsoever. I always felt that urgent need to keep flipping pages, well at the same time wanting to savor every word and moment.
The relationship between Landon(the cowbow) and Maggie was perfectly written. I don't want to give anything away, so I will just say that there is PLENTY of romance in Relic. I also loved the friendship between Maggie and Adelaide(the showgirl). Adelaide has such a hard life in the story, but she is also super funny and I really enjoyed reading the scenes she appeared in.
The writing is lush, descriptive, thrilling, and fit perfectly with the time period. Since this book is written in a first-person POV, not only the dialogue, but the writing as a whole has to sound like someone from the 1800's Wild West would speak. This is where I find that some writers of historical fantasy flop, but Renee Collins got it just right.
I am so glad that I got the chance to read an early copy of this book. It was magical in every sense of the word. You will be amazed by the way Collins creates a wholly new and exciting world of fantasy. Though I would LOVE a sequel or companion to RELIC, I will most definitely be picking up whatever Renee Collins writes next!
Check out my other reviews, giveaways, author interviews, & more at my blog Jessabella Reads
March 19, 2016
Relic is a fantastic, fun read from a talented new author, Renee Collins. The plot is fast-paced from the first page, and there wasn't a moment that dragged. For the most part the characters are vivid and realistically written, and the dialogue was western-flavored without being overwhelming. In fact, it was a serious contender for my best-of-2013 shelf.
One of the strongest aspects of Relic was the setting. The Western spin is an angle that's not too common in fantasy, and it provided a rich backdrop for the action of the novel. I loved the atmosphere of the book - Collins did a great job.
I was also glad to see a premise/magic system that hasn't been done before. The idea of Relics (bones of magical creatures) providing people with magical abilities is - as far as I know- unique. Considering how much they featured in the plot, however, I would have liked a little more explanation as to how exactly they worked - it seems to vary based on what's needed for the plot. Individual relics seem to work on contact, or by ingestion, but there are also guns which are somehow powered by relics, and that's never really explained at all.
Considering he was the major love interest, I would have liked to have seen more of Landon. I also would have liked him to be a bit more involved in the investigation of the burnings/mystery of the unknown relic/something! There's a scene were he chastises Maggie for getting caught up with Alvar and life at the hacienda, but it's not like he's doing much of anything either...plus, his relationship with Maggie felt a bit rushed.
There were a few hints that Maggie might see Yahn as a potential love interest as well, which I thought was silly and unneeded, but that's probably just my bias (I strongly dislike multiple love interests).
I liked that I couldn't figure Alvar out - one moment he was kind, the next entitled and demanding. There were some moments where I felt his characterization was a bit too inconsistent...somewhat vindicated by the fact that , but I found that a bit of a cop-out.
I prefer my villains not to be 'evil'...to have some sort of motivation, however twisted, for what they are doing. And while that was true of , it doesn't appear to be the case for the ultimate antagonist.
Despite these nitpicks, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Relic, and if there is a sequel - the ending seems well set up for one - I will certainly read it!
Full disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
One of the strongest aspects of Relic was the setting. The Western spin is an angle that's not too common in fantasy, and it provided a rich backdrop for the action of the novel. I loved the atmosphere of the book - Collins did a great job.
I was also glad to see a premise/magic system that hasn't been done before. The idea of Relics (bones of magical creatures) providing people with magical abilities is - as far as I know- unique. Considering how much they featured in the plot, however, I would have liked a little more explanation as to how exactly they worked - it seems to vary based on what's needed for the plot. Individual relics seem to work on contact, or by ingestion, but there are also guns which are somehow powered by relics, and that's never really explained at all.
Considering he was the major love interest, I would have liked to have seen more of Landon. I also would have liked him to be a bit more involved in the investigation of the burnings/mystery of the unknown relic/something! There's a scene were he chastises Maggie for getting caught up with Alvar and life at the hacienda, but it's not like he's doing much of anything either...plus, his relationship with Maggie felt a bit rushed.
There were a few hints that Maggie might see Yahn as a potential love interest as well, which I thought was silly and unneeded, but that's probably just my bias (I strongly dislike multiple love interests).
I liked that I couldn't figure Alvar out - one moment he was kind, the next entitled and demanding. There were some moments where I felt his characterization was a bit too inconsistent...somewhat vindicated by the fact that , but I found that a bit of a cop-out.
I prefer my villains not to be 'evil'...to have some sort of motivation, however twisted, for what they are doing. And while that was true of , it doesn't appear to be the case for the ultimate antagonist.
Despite these nitpicks, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Relic, and if there is a sequel - the ending seems well set up for one - I will certainly read it!
Full disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2013
Unique, and breath taking!
I'm not going to lie, this is nothing like what I was expecting, which is a good thing. As my first line states unique, that word fits this book like a glove. Blending a genuine old west setting with a magical element that keeps every character on their toes, really kept me into this book until the absolute end.
Maggie, to me, was a great heroine. Attempting to find balance after such a life shattering event is hard, but she does what is necessary while maintaining moral, values and a good head on her should. Taking a job, making an honest living....that is until the very handsome Mr. Castilla makes her an offer she finds that not even she can turn down.
No she doesn't turn into his mistress (I thought that's where it was going), she starts learning about the different degrees of relics. From standard Sirens, to deadly Banshee, even the ultra rare - and outlawed - vampire relics. There isn't a single one that Mr. Castilla hasn't obtained. Maggie starts to realize there's something extremely special within her. The way she can feel a relic is unlike any other, and of course Mr. Castilla wants to collect her rare ability like he collects rare relics!
There was a part, about 85% of the way through that I felt was a tad bit rushed....and unveiling of sort, if you wish to call it that....I wish that a little more time could had been spent digging into that secret, but I understand how the story line & side plots must all run their own course.
So now I HAVE to talk about Landon, I swoon! <3333333
Imagine wranglers, boots and a cowboy hat....mmmmmm...you get the picture. This boy stole my heart, and still hasn't given it back. The gentleness he holds for Maggie, the lengths that he'll go to just to ensure her safety, well being & dignity gives me chills. Every man should take notes from him!
Overall I really enjoyed this book! Relic was a deep breath of fresh air for me, it took any expectations that I had & morphed them into my wildest dreams. Take you favorite myths, splash them with magic, now add a dash of mystery, shake it all up & that will give you Relic!
I'm not going to lie, this is nothing like what I was expecting, which is a good thing. As my first line states unique, that word fits this book like a glove. Blending a genuine old west setting with a magical element that keeps every character on their toes, really kept me into this book until the absolute end.
Maggie, to me, was a great heroine. Attempting to find balance after such a life shattering event is hard, but she does what is necessary while maintaining moral, values and a good head on her should. Taking a job, making an honest living....that is until the very handsome Mr. Castilla makes her an offer she finds that not even she can turn down.
No she doesn't turn into his mistress (I thought that's where it was going), she starts learning about the different degrees of relics. From standard Sirens, to deadly Banshee, even the ultra rare - and outlawed - vampire relics. There isn't a single one that Mr. Castilla hasn't obtained. Maggie starts to realize there's something extremely special within her. The way she can feel a relic is unlike any other, and of course Mr. Castilla wants to collect her rare ability like he collects rare relics!
There was a part, about 85% of the way through that I felt was a tad bit rushed....and unveiling of sort, if you wish to call it that....I wish that a little more time could had been spent digging into that secret, but I understand how the story line & side plots must all run their own course.
So now I HAVE to talk about Landon, I swoon! <3333333
Imagine wranglers, boots and a cowboy hat....mmmmmm...you get the picture. This boy stole my heart, and still hasn't given it back. The gentleness he holds for Maggie, the lengths that he'll go to just to ensure her safety, well being & dignity gives me chills. Every man should take notes from him!
Overall I really enjoyed this book! Relic was a deep breath of fresh air for me, it took any expectations that I had & morphed them into my wildest dreams. Take you favorite myths, splash them with magic, now add a dash of mystery, shake it all up & that will give you Relic!
Read
August 27, 2013With a setting of the Old West, Relic already starts out unique. Add in the bones of mythical beings--unicorns, people--, Native Americans, magic, and a mystery well you have truly unusual book recipe, but one that works. At least it did for me.
When mysterious fires destroy her home, Maggie and her sister are left to fend for themselves. Maggie is able to find work as a maid of sorts in a saloon/brothel. But there is something special about Maggie. She has a strange affinity with the relics (bones) and their magical properties and the wealthy, young relic baron Alvar takes notice.
Soon Maggie is whisked away to his hacienda, separating her from her friend Adelaide and new love Landon, to learn more about her gift and how to use the Relics. But not everything is as it seems at the hacienda and Maggie is drawn into a mystery that could cost her more than she is willing to risk.
While there is enough action to keep the novel moving forward, I wouldn't call Relic fast-paced. The focus is definitely more on the characters and their development, and I really enjoyed watching Maggie's confidence and personality bloom and change. Adelaide was a thoroughly enjoyable compliment to Maggie and her quick-tongue provided for several laugh out loud moments. The romance between Maggie and Landon develops slowly, taking back burner to the mystery surrounding the fires, and seemed to come as a bit of a surprise to Maggie. Landon is a sweet and funny cowboy but there is another character I actually preferred over him. (No spoilers here :D)
Throw in a couple surprise plot twists, and you have the makings of a very enjoyable, unique read.
Fans of Firefly and Charmed should like this book.
When mysterious fires destroy her home, Maggie and her sister are left to fend for themselves. Maggie is able to find work as a maid of sorts in a saloon/brothel. But there is something special about Maggie. She has a strange affinity with the relics (bones) and their magical properties and the wealthy, young relic baron Alvar takes notice.
Soon Maggie is whisked away to his hacienda, separating her from her friend Adelaide and new love Landon, to learn more about her gift and how to use the Relics. But not everything is as it seems at the hacienda and Maggie is drawn into a mystery that could cost her more than she is willing to risk.
While there is enough action to keep the novel moving forward, I wouldn't call Relic fast-paced. The focus is definitely more on the characters and their development, and I really enjoyed watching Maggie's confidence and personality bloom and change. Adelaide was a thoroughly enjoyable compliment to Maggie and her quick-tongue provided for several laugh out loud moments. The romance between Maggie and Landon develops slowly, taking back burner to the mystery surrounding the fires, and seemed to come as a bit of a surprise to Maggie. Landon is a sweet and funny cowboy but there is another character I actually preferred over him. (No spoilers here :D)
Throw in a couple surprise plot twists, and you have the makings of a very enjoyable, unique read.
Fans of Firefly and Charmed should like this book.
June 27, 2013
Get ready to dive into one of the most intriguing and tantalizing reads of the summer! There is nothing RELIC can't offer you if you like a good ol' twist of magic, charming and sexy cowboys, a young and gorgeous Indian warrior with a flair for saving a damsel in distress, a sleazy boss who makes your skin crawl, a young wealthy gentlemen ready to make you an offer you can't refuse, a witty best friend with all the right moves, and the sizzling heat of the old Wild West.
Every page reveals a new twist that promises you an action packed, edge of your seat read! Filled with gripping emotions, RELIC promises a heart that flutters with anticipation and sweaty palms that become slick under the grip of your e-reader as you hold on for dear life in this roller coaster of plots, devotion, heartbreak, excitement, intrigue, love and betrayal.
Who doesn't love and want that?
Lurking around every corner RELIC is a haunting read that will rope you in and keep you up late into the night until you have reached the end, and even then you will be screaming in hope, anticipation and desperation of needing more!
Hands down, RELIC is by far my new favorite and I won't be surprised if it becomes your new obsession too. Be warned though, clear your schedule. Once you crack the spine of this epic fantasy, you will be hooked and won't be able to shake it until the very last page...and even than it will cast a spell on you and haunt you in your sleep.
Thank you Renee Collins and Entangled Teen for the ARC!
Every page reveals a new twist that promises you an action packed, edge of your seat read! Filled with gripping emotions, RELIC promises a heart that flutters with anticipation and sweaty palms that become slick under the grip of your e-reader as you hold on for dear life in this roller coaster of plots, devotion, heartbreak, excitement, intrigue, love and betrayal.
Who doesn't love and want that?
Lurking around every corner RELIC is a haunting read that will rope you in and keep you up late into the night until you have reached the end, and even then you will be screaming in hope, anticipation and desperation of needing more!
Hands down, RELIC is by far my new favorite and I won't be surprised if it becomes your new obsession too. Be warned though, clear your schedule. Once you crack the spine of this epic fantasy, you will be hooked and won't be able to shake it until the very last page...and even than it will cast a spell on you and haunt you in your sleep.
Thank you Renee Collins and Entangled Teen for the ARC!
August 28, 2013
‘Relic’ is a book that is magical, exciting, and unique. It completely stands on its own, not reminding me of anything I've read before. ‘Relic’ is a Western style fantasy, an alternate history that contains magical relics, which are the bones of long dead magical creatures. There’s the cowboys and saloons you would expect in a Western, but there’s also magic and magical predators.
The book is also a mystery, with Maggie trying to figure out who is burning towns and why. Maggie’s parents and her brother were killed in the razing of her village, so she has a personal stake in figuring out who the culprit is and making sure they pay. ‘Relic’ also has a romantic element, though it’s a light part of the story, and there’s some chemistry with other characters. Landon is the swoony cowboy character, while Álvar is a mysterious benefactor who has a dangerous sexiness to him. That being said, this book doesn’t contain a love triangle at all, which I appreciated.
Maggie is a great main character. She’s bright, brave, and totally competent. She wants justice and will work hard for it, but she’s also not afraid to ask for help and admit when she's in over her head. I loved reading her story, and I found ‘Relic’ to be a completely fascinating novel. It’s intense with action and magic, and the story line is incredibly interesting. I appreciated how there was a full conclusion to the mystery element with just enough larger plot dangling to make you want to read more in this world. I fully enjoyed this fantastical debut, and I can’t wait to read more from Renee Collins.
The book is also a mystery, with Maggie trying to figure out who is burning towns and why. Maggie’s parents and her brother were killed in the razing of her village, so she has a personal stake in figuring out who the culprit is and making sure they pay. ‘Relic’ also has a romantic element, though it’s a light part of the story, and there’s some chemistry with other characters. Landon is the swoony cowboy character, while Álvar is a mysterious benefactor who has a dangerous sexiness to him. That being said, this book doesn’t contain a love triangle at all, which I appreciated.
Maggie is a great main character. She’s bright, brave, and totally competent. She wants justice and will work hard for it, but she’s also not afraid to ask for help and admit when she's in over her head. I loved reading her story, and I found ‘Relic’ to be a completely fascinating novel. It’s intense with action and magic, and the story line is incredibly interesting. I appreciated how there was a full conclusion to the mystery element with just enough larger plot dangling to make you want to read more in this world. I fully enjoyed this fantastical debut, and I can’t wait to read more from Renee Collins.
July 16, 2013
~~Relic will be released by Entangled Teen on August 27~~
I love just about everything that Entangled Teen brings out, which is why despite my lack of interest in cowboy/wild west themed novels, I chose to read Relic.
Within the first couple of pages, the story of Maggie Davis, drew me in. Right from the start, I saw the strength of this young girl and how determined she was to take care of her family.
Once I began the first sentence, I was glued to my iPad. I just couldn't bring myself to take a break. The concept of the magical relics really intrigued me. I was captivated by their origination from extinct creatures. There were non-stop twists that kept me filled with suspense throughout the entire book.
Renee did a beautiful job of adding so many different elements, yet not one overpowered the other.
Renee Collins has created a spellbinding, magical world that you'll never want to leave!
Relic was hands down, my favorite YA read of the year. Perhaps even in general. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys young adult books with strong female leads, historical fantasy, magic, and the wild west!
*An eARC copy of this book was provided by Entangled Publishing for an honest review
I love just about everything that Entangled Teen brings out, which is why despite my lack of interest in cowboy/wild west themed novels, I chose to read Relic.
Within the first couple of pages, the story of Maggie Davis, drew me in. Right from the start, I saw the strength of this young girl and how determined she was to take care of her family.
Once I began the first sentence, I was glued to my iPad. I just couldn't bring myself to take a break. The concept of the magical relics really intrigued me. I was captivated by their origination from extinct creatures. There were non-stop twists that kept me filled with suspense throughout the entire book.
Renee did a beautiful job of adding so many different elements, yet not one overpowered the other.
Renee Collins has created a spellbinding, magical world that you'll never want to leave!
Relic was hands down, my favorite YA read of the year. Perhaps even in general. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys young adult books with strong female leads, historical fantasy, magic, and the wild west!
*An eARC copy of this book was provided by Entangled Publishing for an honest review
August 28, 2013
Relic is a very powerful story. Maggie and her sister, Ella, are the only ones to escape the burning of Haydenville. Maggie is a survivor. She will protect and care for her little sister, but her powerful connection to the ancient Relics becomes the driving force in her life. When the most powerful man in the county, Alvar Castilla, offers her his protection, Maggie takes his help. She knows there are strings attached. Will she be willing to pay the price? What is his true intention? Maggie is a multi-dimensional character. As the story unfolds, you see her grow into a strong, powerful woman. She fights for what is just and right. Life may knock her down but it won't defeat her. The western setting adds to the dark beauty of the story. Renee Collins handles difficult topics with a deft yet realistic touch. She creates a world that may be dark but also has love and redemption. This book will appeal to all ages with it's perfect mix of romance, suspense and magic. A great story by a very talented author.
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2013
Relic is a historical fantasy western - definitely not your average book genre, yet somehow it works, really well. I had heard about the book and was intrigued but wasn't too sold on the setting. After reading Relic, I'm eating my thoughts on that completely.
This book works wonderfully. The fantasy-western setting is truly breathtaking and is a great backdrop for the characters that Collins has created.
There are great scenes in this book that really move the story along and keep the reader engaged and entertained. But at the same time, I felt as though there were just as many that were somewhat of filler scenes. I realize that not all scenes in a book can be action but I felt the ups were very up and the downs were very down.
Relic is a great read. Surely the only novel, that I know of, in this genre. And well worth the read.
I received an ARC ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book works wonderfully. The fantasy-western setting is truly breathtaking and is a great backdrop for the characters that Collins has created.
There are great scenes in this book that really move the story along and keep the reader engaged and entertained. But at the same time, I felt as though there were just as many that were somewhat of filler scenes. I realize that not all scenes in a book can be action but I felt the ups were very up and the downs were very down.
Relic is a great read. Surely the only novel, that I know of, in this genre. And well worth the read.
I received an ARC ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2014
Woot! RELIC has been nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award in Young Adult Urban Fantasy/Paranormal!!
YAY!! It's here!!!! True Grit meets The Prestige. A seriously amazing Wild West historical fantasy. Plus, a very sexy cowboy.
Renee has a big pre-order contest going on. Lots of prizes, including a chance to win a gorgeous illustrated page from Maggie's relic almanac. Dragons, Mermaids, oh my! http://midnightmeditations.blogspot.c...
And like the fb page to get updates and exclusive Relic news. https://www.facebook.com/relicseries?...
YAY!! It's here!!!! True Grit meets The Prestige. A seriously amazing Wild West historical fantasy. Plus, a very sexy cowboy.
Renee has a big pre-order contest going on. Lots of prizes, including a chance to win a gorgeous illustrated page from Maggie's relic almanac. Dragons, Mermaids, oh my! http://midnightmeditations.blogspot.c...
And like the fb page to get updates and exclusive Relic news. https://www.facebook.com/relicseries?...
October 11, 2012
LOVE love LOOOOVE this book. Add it to your TBR pile asap!
June 27, 2013
I absolutely loved this book, I loved the setting and the magic mixed in it. I hope there will be a second and a third...
July 27, 2013
EDIT: Video review here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ9pc0...
I NEED THE NEXT ONE!!!
Coherent review coming soon
Edit: VIDEO REVIEW IS CURRENTLY UPLOADING (finally) :D
I NEED THE NEXT ONE!!!
Coherent review coming soon
Edit: VIDEO REVIEW IS CURRENTLY UPLOADING (finally) :D
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