Cecaelians & Secrets: An Antigone D'Angelo Novel

by Angela Kern

Antigone D’Angelo knows she's lucky, despite living with chronic pain and blackout spells that the doctors can’t explain. She's got her cat, Samson, for cuddles and company. A fun job at a cute little bookstore. A cozy new apartment, with a sexy landlord who makes Ant feel things that, at the very least, she doesn’t mind fantasizing about.

Everything seems to be going great…until Antigone comes across someone in trouble. When she tries to intervene, the truth of a magical world is revealed. Her encounter with a fae creature starts Antigone on an adventure that will fundamentally change her life. Can she navigate the nuanced rules of the magical world in time to save the future of the Cecaelians as well as her own life?

300 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

Angela Kern has been writing and editing for over two decades. Currently, she contracts with independent authors to provide developmental and copy editing services.
Cecaelians & Secrets is Ms. Kern’s first novel.

Angela considers herself a pop-culture nerd and constantly makes bad puns. For fun, she hikes, kayaks, paints, and reads, mostly in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her cat, Tang.

Reviews

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in a small bookshop on the coast of Oregon. Intrigued by "romance and fantasy" and that it was signed. The owner knew the author too and said it was her last copy. I looked up Angela Kern and later that day saw her dropping off books at the Inn I was staying at. This made reading the book and the fact it centers around the PNW a fun experience.

It was cute, short, and sweet. A little more on the YA fantasy side IMO, with a little spice, but I was curious to see what Antigone was getting up to, and still curious what's to come in the rest of her journey. There's certainly more magic and secrets she needs to uncover.

[Heather Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up in a book shop by the Oregon coast. She let me know it would be spicy. The book was good and didnt disappoint. It was funny too. It drew me in and I finished it quickly because I wanted to know what would happen next. I look forward to reading the next one and hope it comes out soon.

[Cha0tic.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to start with the representation of unknown disability/ chronic illness, which is phenomenal here. As someone actively going through a lot of these issues (sadly, mine isn't quite the same as Antigone's), it was wonderful to see representation. Obviously, well thought out and a lot of attention to detail was put in. Especially in a world where such things are common, it was refreshing to see it portrayed in such a way that reflects reality.

I will say I do really love the setting. This may be the PNW girly in me, but it feels so beautiful and natural to me. If you aren't well-versed with the PNW, the weather and settings described are a very everyday experience. While this setting is obviously mirroring my current setting, I still felt an escape into the world. Ahhh, the magic of it all strikes again, the Pacific Northwest is a magic of its own, and it was written wonderfully.

Antigone is a very complex and intriguing character. With my obvious mention of disability and chronic illness issues, she would have to have depth. It takes a warrior to go through a lot of these things. Seeing her inner thoughts and struggles really built her out. Yet she still has intrigue (like everyone does) to her without her health issues. Maeve is also a very fun character. I do really love the small developments we get of her. Jack, on the other hand, had me stressed a bit. But we are chill, for now.

The magic system was really fun and felt refreshing. Magic made sense (where it is supposed to, we are still learning things as the story builds). The biggest thing I am excited to see more about is how witches' magic works and the limits to their power. Overall, I am excited to see more of how magic works in this world. We met some really interesting characters already.

This book did have a decent amount of spice throughout the story. I did like how it was put in and didn't feel rushed. Ant is just a girl, and I get her. If you know what I mean. There is a decent amount of sexual tension happening. Oddly enough, this is my favorite part of spicy books, so I am pleased.

I am excited to read book two! You are awesome Angela, cannot wait to see where this story takes us.

[Mae Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little spicier than my usual selections, but as a book and music lover, I particularly liked all the literary and music references. The characters were relatable and quirky, capturing the culture of the Pacific Northwest perfectly. This book had me checking Google more than once! I love learning new and interesting facts from reading. It makes the recreation feel like education. I have a thing for cephalopods; particularly octopi. I am absolutely enchanted by them and after reading Remarkably Bright Creatures, I love them even more. Looking forward to book two in the series.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more young adult feeling other than a couple of erotic moments in the story. I like the underlying idea but this book didn’t really build to any big moment. And it feels unfinished with how it ends. I understand that can motivate readers to buy the sequel but it felt abrupt. And a few chapters in the middle lulled with very similar writing and no real action happening. I do what to know how Antigone’s story concludes but it was a bit disappointing.

[Jennifer Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot, wonderful use of fantasy, very intrigued how the story will unfold but sadly too spicy for me to continue. Loved the music references, made me want to make a Playlist for the book. I definitely wouldn't want my kids to read this, it looks more YA but I'd definitely put it in the Adult section.

[Sara Muñoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this entire story has me hooked. The writing was extremely fast paced, straight to the point, and there is some spice. I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted too, but I can see why so many people connect and fall deeply in love with this world. I LOVE that it’s set in the PNW as an Oregon girly myself.