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The Lily Singer Adventures #9
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Avalon
Do not be deceived by masks. Not even your own.
Against all odds, Lily Singer and her friends have found the timeless isle that inspired the legends of Avalon. They are welcomed by the ancient wizards who dwell there and are given respite from the terrors they’ve been fighting for so long. Yet peace, like power, is always bought at a price.
Avalon is more than the idyllic refuge spoken of in myth. Ancient knowledge is hidden there, a lost history of apocalypse and its aftermath that changed the world forever. As Lily and her companions try to unravel Avalon’s secrets, they are plunged into the political games of powerful wizards who wear masks like second skins and think time is an infinite resource.
But Avalon’s time is running out.
Manipulative power games without. Confusion and betrayal within. An impossible task with a deadline looming ever closer.
When the final moment comes, will Lily and her friends find a way to save themselves—and Avalon? Or will the apocalypse of old finally consume them all?
With 3,000+ five star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads and nearly a million copies sold, this urban fantasy series full of adventure and snarky humor is guaranteed to cause loud snorts of laughter, tea cravings, and sleep loss. Don't start reading at night or you'll never go to bed! Great for fans of urban fantasy from Harry Potter to Harry Dresden. Grab Book 9 today and finally discover the ancient secrets of wizardkind.
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Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Universe
LILY SINGER ADVENTURE SERIES
Beginnings (#1)
Revelations (#2)
A Study In Mischief (#2.5) - FREE novella, can be read as a standalone
Allies (#3)
Legends (#4)
Cat Magic (#4.5) - novella, can be read as a standalone
Betrayal (#5)
Identity (#6)
A Study In Mischief and Other Tales of Magical Shenanigans - short story collection
Cat Mischief (#6.5) - novella, can be read as a standalone
Kindred (#7)
Odyssey (#8)
The Bath of Doom and Other Tales of Magical Shenanigans - short story collection
Avalon (#9)
More coming!
DARK ROADS TRILOGY
Accidental Witch (#1)
More coming! Subscribe to Lydia's newsletter for updates
Against all odds, Lily Singer and her friends have found the timeless isle that inspired the legends of Avalon. They are welcomed by the ancient wizards who dwell there and are given respite from the terrors they’ve been fighting for so long. Yet peace, like power, is always bought at a price.
Avalon is more than the idyllic refuge spoken of in myth. Ancient knowledge is hidden there, a lost history of apocalypse and its aftermath that changed the world forever. As Lily and her companions try to unravel Avalon’s secrets, they are plunged into the political games of powerful wizards who wear masks like second skins and think time is an infinite resource.
But Avalon’s time is running out.
Manipulative power games without. Confusion and betrayal within. An impossible task with a deadline looming ever closer.
When the final moment comes, will Lily and her friends find a way to save themselves—and Avalon? Or will the apocalypse of old finally consume them all?
With 3,000+ five star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads and nearly a million copies sold, this urban fantasy series full of adventure and snarky humor is guaranteed to cause loud snorts of laughter, tea cravings, and sleep loss. Don't start reading at night or you'll never go to bed! Great for fans of urban fantasy from Harry Potter to Harry Dresden. Grab Book 9 today and finally discover the ancient secrets of wizardkind.
--
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Universe
LILY SINGER ADVENTURE SERIES
Beginnings (#1)
Revelations (#2)
A Study In Mischief (#2.5) - FREE novella, can be read as a standalone
Allies (#3)
Legends (#4)
Cat Magic (#4.5) - novella, can be read as a standalone
Betrayal (#5)
Identity (#6)
A Study In Mischief and Other Tales of Magical Shenanigans - short story collection
Cat Mischief (#6.5) - novella, can be read as a standalone
Kindred (#7)
Odyssey (#8)
The Bath of Doom and Other Tales of Magical Shenanigans - short story collection
Avalon (#9)
More coming!
DARK ROADS TRILOGY
Accidental Witch (#1)
More coming! Subscribe to Lydia's newsletter for updates
775 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 1, 2026
4.3 Stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
Avalon is the mystic land said to be where King Arthur was taken after being struck down in his final battle, where his sword Excalibur was forged, and where Merlin, his advisor and friend is tightly bound. Of course this is just legends.
Unless you are in the Love, Lies and Hocus Pocus series where it has been found after thousands of years by Lily Singer and her friends. It opens with them being magically transported to the island where they receive healing and rest, though are kept under quarantine to ensure they do not bring anything harmful with them (like the unconscious body of Morgan Le Fay following the huge battle at the end of the previous volume).
Split into two parts (as are all the books in the series), the first deals with them learning about this ancient land the the nearly immortal wizards who live there. Having come to warn the residents about the demons that seek to find the hidden island, they find themselves involved in local politics and power plays.
It is a new and different take on the legends of Merlin and King Arthur, mixed in with legends of the fae, and all made better by the snark of Sir Edgar Allen Kipling (don't call him Lily's cat - she is in fact HIS human).
The political interplay of the wizards is a different type of conflict than the magical battles that were more central to the search for the portal in the previous book (not to worry however, the magical battles are in the second half!).
Relationships are a core part of this series and continue here. I enjoy seeing how some of these change (some getting worse, some improving) and how often it is simple communication that becomes the key.
I do have to remind myself that this series is intended for a YA (young adults) audience (which is why it Lily and Sebastian have barely admitted they are in love, and a kiss or two is the still as far as their relationship goes.
I really enjoy this type of story where the strongest are often not the ones to come out ahead, but instead the smartest (Lily is a librarian after all).
I wanted to continue this series so much that I paid for the pre-release version, and was not disappointed. The only disappointment is that the next volume isn't available yet.
Unless you are in the Love, Lies and Hocus Pocus series where it has been found after thousands of years by Lily Singer and her friends. It opens with them being magically transported to the island where they receive healing and rest, though are kept under quarantine to ensure they do not bring anything harmful with them (like the unconscious body of Morgan Le Fay following the huge battle at the end of the previous volume).
Split into two parts (as are all the books in the series), the first deals with them learning about this ancient land the the nearly immortal wizards who live there. Having come to warn the residents about the demons that seek to find the hidden island, they find themselves involved in local politics and power plays.
It is a new and different take on the legends of Merlin and King Arthur, mixed in with legends of the fae, and all made better by the snark of Sir Edgar Allen Kipling (don't call him Lily's cat - she is in fact HIS human).
The political interplay of the wizards is a different type of conflict than the magical battles that were more central to the search for the portal in the previous book (not to worry however, the magical battles are in the second half!).
Relationships are a core part of this series and continue here. I enjoy seeing how some of these change (some getting worse, some improving) and how often it is simple communication that becomes the key.
I do have to remind myself that this series is intended for a YA (young adults) audience (which is why it Lily and Sebastian have barely admitted they are in love, and a kiss or two is the still as far as their relationship goes.
I really enjoy this type of story where the strongest are often not the ones to come out ahead, but instead the smartest (Lily is a librarian after all).
I wanted to continue this series so much that I paid for the pre-release version, and was not disappointed. The only disappointment is that the next volume isn't available yet.
August 18, 2026
Overly long and frankly boring.
I really like Mrs. Sherrer and feel she has more hits than misses. However, this book, while not bad, is at best okay. When I keep taking breaks to read other things rather than this book, that is not a good sign.
Issues
1. They just keep talking.
These books have always been dialogue-heavy with long internal thoughts, but this book takes that to the next level. I feel like I’m being beaten to death with backstory. Backstory is great. However, what is the goal of the book?
2. Lily and Sebastian are still having relationship issues!
Halfway into the book, Lily and Sebastian fight again, and it’s cheap and redundant. I will give Mrs. Sherrer credit. I think she does a good job showing the real anxiety that many people feel, but it’s bad storytelling. We have seen this over and over and over. It’s really hard to keep reading when we’ve seen this in almost every previous book in the series.
3. It’s boring.
Cut this book down by half and up the pacing. If you look at the series, most of the books are under 400 pages. After book 5, the books start getting longer, with book 7 (the worst book in the series) also being the second longest. I get that some people love the lore and backstory, but sometimes you have to kill your darlings to make a good book.
Comparing the Lily Singer books to the Transdimensional Hunter books, those books’ shortest volume is only 150 pages, and they stay very consistent in length and pacing overall. Lynn does sound like Lily and her love interest sounds like Sebastian, but that seems to be how the author writes people in relationships.
What’s good
I think it’s clear that from writing the TD Hunter series, Mrs. Sherrer has gotten much better at writing action, and the pacing of her action in this book is as good as it’s been in the series so far.
Overall I will keep reading the series but its far from the high water mark for the series.
I really like Mrs. Sherrer and feel she has more hits than misses. However, this book, while not bad, is at best okay. When I keep taking breaks to read other things rather than this book, that is not a good sign.
Issues
1. They just keep talking.
These books have always been dialogue-heavy with long internal thoughts, but this book takes that to the next level. I feel like I’m being beaten to death with backstory. Backstory is great. However, what is the goal of the book?
2. Lily and Sebastian are still having relationship issues!
Halfway into the book, Lily and Sebastian fight again, and it’s cheap and redundant. I will give Mrs. Sherrer credit. I think she does a good job showing the real anxiety that many people feel, but it’s bad storytelling. We have seen this over and over and over. It’s really hard to keep reading when we’ve seen this in almost every previous book in the series.
3. It’s boring.
Cut this book down by half and up the pacing. If you look at the series, most of the books are under 400 pages. After book 5, the books start getting longer, with book 7 (the worst book in the series) also being the second longest. I get that some people love the lore and backstory, but sometimes you have to kill your darlings to make a good book.
Comparing the Lily Singer books to the Transdimensional Hunter books, those books’ shortest volume is only 150 pages, and they stay very consistent in length and pacing overall. Lynn does sound like Lily and her love interest sounds like Sebastian, but that seems to be how the author writes people in relationships.
What’s good
I think it’s clear that from writing the TD Hunter series, Mrs. Sherrer has gotten much better at writing action, and the pacing of her action in this book is as good as it’s been in the series so far.
Overall I will keep reading the series but its far from the high water mark for the series.
August 23, 2026
The thing with a long series is that by now (book 9) you are either invested in the series and you know you want to read this, you read earlier books and decided it wasn’t for you, or you are new to the series and need to start with book 1. I don’t feel like there is much I can say in a review that would change that.
Did I like it? Yes! Of course. I’m invested in the story and look forward to each new book in the series. It’s a good series, and I always love seeing how Sir Kip will steal the show.
I loved Sir Kipling’s recap at the beginning as it meant that I didn’t need to reread 8 books to refresh my memory of what’s happened so far.
My biggest complaint about this book is that the chapter illustrations aren’t included in the ebook. I find that very annoying and don’t understand how they would add enough size to make it unpublishable. And having a link to a website is not the same (and what happens 10 years from now when I reread the book and the website/link has changed - we all know that website urls aren’t permanent). Please update this book to include the illustrations.
Did I like it? Yes! Of course. I’m invested in the story and look forward to each new book in the series. It’s a good series, and I always love seeing how Sir Kip will steal the show.
I loved Sir Kipling’s recap at the beginning as it meant that I didn’t need to reread 8 books to refresh my memory of what’s happened so far.
My biggest complaint about this book is that the chapter illustrations aren’t included in the ebook. I find that very annoying and don’t understand how they would add enough size to make it unpublishable. And having a link to a website is not the same (and what happens 10 years from now when I reread the book and the website/link has changed - we all know that website urls aren’t permanent). Please update this book to include the illustrations.
Read
May 12, 2026I love this series (LLHP) and so purchased an advanced ebook copy of Avalon in order to read it in May instead of June! I’m so glad I did! This book introduced several new characters and their roles in the overarching story, yet Avalon could easily be enjoyed by someone who decided to start with book 9. (I’m so impressed how Lydia Sherrer does that!) I enjoyed the inevitable snark from the “magnanimous feline overlord” and the story was everything I hoped it would be! Now I plan to purchase the audiobook so I can enjoy it again as narrated by the talented Amy McFadden.
June 14, 2026
amazing
I started this series thinking it was a harmless little fantasy series but it’s so much more. This most recent episode defies summation by me but trust me when I tell you it’s epic storytelling and profound allegory all rolled into adventure and thrills. Start at book one and catch up so you have the whole story blocked out before you get here. Me, I’m pining for book 10 already because.. cliffhanger! You’re welcome.
I started this series thinking it was a harmless little fantasy series but it’s so much more. This most recent episode defies summation by me but trust me when I tell you it’s epic storytelling and profound allegory all rolled into adventure and thrills. Start at book one and catch up so you have the whole story blocked out before you get here. Me, I’m pining for book 10 already because.. cliffhanger! You’re welcome.
June 17, 2026
This book was amazing!! Which is especially good, considering the fact that I had high expectations and had been impatiently waiting for this book to come out since the day that I finished the previous book in the series. I'm in this author's facebook group for fans, and she repeatedly told us that the book was longer than expected and then asked us if she should shorten it. We repeatedly told her not to cut a thing out of the book. I'm so glad that she didn't. I got the audiobook version of this book, which was well-done (as usual for this series). The audiobook was 25 hours. It was such a (figurative) page-turner that at one point I was startled to see that I had less than two hours left! i was bummed when the book ended, but not because I have any complaints about the ending. Now I simply have to go back to impatiently waiting for the next book in the series to come out (while frequently rereading the whole series to tide me over). This story completely sucked me in.
July 6, 2026
Avalon is not a brief stroll in the park!
700+ pages flew by and I want more. Not at all what I anticipated.
What can be said that's spoiler-free? Arcturus is one I'd like to know more about. The island, its residents, their culture, is all so detailed that you'd think the author had vacationed there.
Lily and Sebastian... Sigh. Surprises from John Faust and Mallory! Kip steals the show several times.
When is Book 10 Melthalin coming out, Lydia?
700+ pages flew by and I want more. Not at all what I anticipated.
What can be said that's spoiler-free? Arcturus is one I'd like to know more about. The island, its residents, their culture, is all so detailed that you'd think the author had vacationed there.
Lily and Sebastian... Sigh. Surprises from John Faust and Mallory! Kip steals the show several times.
When is Book 10 Melthalin coming out, Lydia?
September 12, 2026
This book is a worthy successor to the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus series. It takes place entirely within Avalon, the legendary island to which Merlin took King Arthur to heal him after the wars of succession. There's lots of magic and lore and sharp light cast upon human nature and some of the consequences of unnaturally extending the human life span.
And--of course--there's a handle for the next book in the cycle. Don't touch that dial!
And--of course--there's a handle for the next book in the cycle. Don't touch that dial!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book so much I’ve read it 3 times already!! There’s some great story arc conclusions and so many more to come! The real action is in episode 18, but there’s so much history and rich descriptions in episode 17 that make it so important to the plot!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lydia is an awesome author. Avalon is a good clean, fun novel with a little snark. I love the series, and all the characters. This book is suggested for young adults but as a young at heart adult I can honestly say it appeals to all.
June 17, 2026
My favorite of these books so far. My jaw dropped more than once. The sheer length of it will tide me over until book 10. (Also, for everyone reading this books who, like me, is not a cat person, they are still extremely enjoyable!!!!!)
June 26, 2026
As always, Sherrer created a story full of action, world building, and snark. There are some cute romance scenes in there as well, and a lot of character growth for some of the side characters. Enjoy!
June 30, 2026
Have read the entire series and felt this one was just not as interesting. Author spent too much time describing everything and there was not much substance. The last 1/4 of the book was more interesting, but I not enough to make me want to continue the series to find out what happens.
July 22, 2026
waited expecting more
This book was a very slow starter for me. It took a while for it to get interesting. I guess now I wait and hope the next chapter is as riveting as the ending was.
This book was a very slow starter for me. It took a while for it to get interesting. I guess now I wait and hope the next chapter is as riveting as the ending was.
August 30, 2026
Book Nine in the series.
This book was longer than most of the ones I read but it kept me interested the entire way through. A lot of things mentioned previously get tied together.
Approved by the cat on my lap.
This book was longer than most of the ones I read but it kept me interested the entire way through. A lot of things mentioned previously get tied together.
Approved by the cat on my lap.
June 9, 2026
long time… no see/read
I am grateful for this book and the review of the first books. It is a “long walk” but worth it.
I am grateful for this book and the review of the first books. It is a “long walk” but worth it.
July 4, 2026
Best in the series so far. Can't wait for Book 10!
July 4, 2026
This was a page turner and she has a great imagination which make for a great story.
August 6, 2026
This book is worth way more than a mere 5 stars! Holy snark! The adventure just gets better with each novel in the series!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews