What do you think?
Rate this book
The Curious Collectibles #2
The Magic Mirror
Ten years ago, Jack Snow made a terrible mistake...
Fresh out of the police academy, Jack Snow returns home to find things have changed. His house is dark, the lawn is overgrown, and his mother looks like a ghost. Whispers come from her room late at night, the voice of a man Jack doesn't know, has never seen, and yet sounds eerily similar to his dead father.
All after the purchase of a silver hand mirror from a strange little antique store down the road.
As he tries to piece the mystery together, he is haunted by a tarot reading performed by the enigmatic Mrs. Clathermont, who foretells he will sacrifice that which he loves most. Will it be his high school sweetheart, Misty Ryder? His ailing mother? Or the career he's spent a lifetime pursuing?
More importantly, does he have a choice in the matter?
SPECIAL FEATURES: Includes the first two chapters of the novel The Haunted Lingerie, the direct sequel.
Fresh out of the police academy, Jack Snow returns home to find things have changed. His house is dark, the lawn is overgrown, and his mother looks like a ghost. Whispers come from her room late at night, the voice of a man Jack doesn't know, has never seen, and yet sounds eerily similar to his dead father.
All after the purchase of a silver hand mirror from a strange little antique store down the road.
As he tries to piece the mystery together, he is haunted by a tarot reading performed by the enigmatic Mrs. Clathermont, who foretells he will sacrifice that which he loves most. Will it be his high school sweetheart, Misty Ryder? His ailing mother? Or the career he's spent a lifetime pursuing?
More importantly, does he have a choice in the matter?
SPECIAL FEATURES: Includes the first two chapters of the novel The Haunted Lingerie, the direct sequel.
148 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2014
90 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Lana Hart
8 books42 followersLana Hart has been writing ever since she scrawled the words "Once upon a time..." onto the back of a receipt when she was three. No one could read them, of course, but she insisted that was what they said. After that, it became an obsession she just couldn't shake.
She has translated her love for storytelling into films, short stories, and table-top role playing campaigns, and would one day love to write for the video game and television industries. She enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons and lives in Florida with her partner, daughter, two cats, and adorable mutt of a dog.
She has translated her love for storytelling into films, short stories, and table-top role playing campaigns, and would one day love to write for the video game and television industries. She enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons and lives in Florida with her partner, daughter, two cats, and adorable mutt of a dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 4, 2017
A strange dark, twisting tale filled with nightmares and strange happenings. While it is not a truly scary book, it does leave you feeling uneasy and apprehensive. Well written, it keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages to find the monster under the bed.
A wonderful prequel, well written. It whetted the appetite for the rest of the series.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A wonderful prequel, well written. It whetted the appetite for the rest of the series.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2015
The Magic Mirror (The Curious Collectibles Series) by Lana Hart presents the reader with an artist’s palette filled with a dark shadowy figure, strange occurrences, memories of first love, suspense, and a town oblivious to it all.
The novella introduces us to Jack Snow, Mrs. Clathermont and her Curious Collectibles shop, Jack’s mother, and a few residents of Sanctum Harbor. The story focuses on Jack Snow, coming back home to Sanctum Harbor and the strange happenings he encounters. we find that things are not all what they appear to be on the surface.
I enjoyed the author’s prose, she can be extremely descriptive, her words setting the mood, or conveying feelings.
This is the 2nd book I've read by the author, and having read the books out of order, I feel, reading the Magic Mirror first gives more of Jack’s backstory, so when we meet him in The Haunted Lingerie (The Curious Collectibles #1) we have more of an understanding of his personality, and Misty’s impact on his life.
The novella is short, but packed with good stuff, its complete; leaving no loose ends, and has no cliff hanger. The introduction to characters and paranormal happenings makes moving into the full length book more enjoyable in my opinion.
All in all for a short read it’s a 4 star read for me.
"It cast a glance in the direction of a small, yet hulking shadow perched atop a shelf inside its work room. Calamity, the dark figure called it, and had for some time now. It was a fitting name, for that was all the little beast had caused since it crawled out of the corrupted arcanum that had created it, all ichor and chaos. It was a creature composed of the darkest magic, and soon it would be unleashed upon the world to do what it did best.
More accurately, it would be unleashed upon Sanctum Harbor. More specifically, it would determine whether a certain someone was the sort of special being the dark figure suspected it was.
If it was right, then the time of its ascension was close at hand. Its Dark Orchard would be restored and all the waiting and planning would finally pay off."
Hart, Lana (2014-06-09). The Magic Mirror (The Curious Collectibles Series) (Kindle Locations 26-31). Wyrmwood Publishing & Editing. Kindle Edition.
The novella introduces us to Jack Snow, Mrs. Clathermont and her Curious Collectibles shop, Jack’s mother, and a few residents of Sanctum Harbor. The story focuses on Jack Snow, coming back home to Sanctum Harbor and the strange happenings he encounters. we find that things are not all what they appear to be on the surface.
I enjoyed the author’s prose, she can be extremely descriptive, her words setting the mood, or conveying feelings.
"As dusk took its place upon its starry throne, it cast long shadows where none had been before. His mother’s house seemed more sinister now ; each darkened window was an empty eye sunken deep into its façade, glaring at him as he ambled along the path toward the front door. He couldn’t see a light on anywhere, even though the curtains were still pulled aside. Darkness held dominion over all."
Hart, Lana (2014-06-09). The Magic Mirror (The Curious Collectibles Series) (Kindle Locations 532-535). Wyrmwood Publishing & Editing. Kindle Edition.
This is the 2nd book I've read by the author, and having read the books out of order, I feel, reading the Magic Mirror first gives more of Jack’s backstory, so when we meet him in The Haunted Lingerie (The Curious Collectibles #1) we have more of an understanding of his personality, and Misty’s impact on his life.
The novella is short, but packed with good stuff, its complete; leaving no loose ends, and has no cliff hanger. The introduction to characters and paranormal happenings makes moving into the full length book more enjoyable in my opinion.
All in all for a short read it’s a 4 star read for me.
July 17, 2014
Have you ever purchased something that just “spoke” to you, saying, “Buy me, I’m exactly what you need.” When you get home, you wonder what you were thinking. Jack has been away at officer training school, he left when his mother was still hurting over the death of his father, so he stops to get her a little something from a collectibles store only to find his mother has recently purchased hand mirror from the same store. What he finds when he arrives home shakes him to his core, gone is the bright and vibrant woman he has always known, the house is unkempt, as is the yard, while his mother has transformed into a ghost of herself. What has caused this dramatic change? Are there voices coming from her room at night? Why does one voice sound like his father? Has the house been cursed?
Lana Hart can write darkness and mystery and keep each new pearl of wisdom a secret until the precise moment it is needed. The Magic Mirror is a very short, but very detailed tale that sets an atmosphere of fear and foreboding with few words. Her characters are pretty fascinating as the tale unfolds and the reader is looking to find the answer before its time is due! Great reading, dark, edgy and quick, a good introduction to what promises to be a great series.
Series: The Curious Collectibles - Prequel
Publication Date: June 9, 2014
Publisher: Wyrmwood Publishing & Editing
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 102 pages
Available from: Amazon
Lana Hart can write darkness and mystery and keep each new pearl of wisdom a secret until the precise moment it is needed. The Magic Mirror is a very short, but very detailed tale that sets an atmosphere of fear and foreboding with few words. Her characters are pretty fascinating as the tale unfolds and the reader is looking to find the answer before its time is due! Great reading, dark, edgy and quick, a good introduction to what promises to be a great series.
Series: The Curious Collectibles - Prequel
Publication Date: June 9, 2014
Publisher: Wyrmwood Publishing & Editing
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 102 pages
Available from: Amazon
September 23, 2014
This intriguing book caught my eye on an Amazon recommendation. A magic mirror bought from a curiosity shop is a little bit of a cliché in paranormal fiction, but it’s an enjoyable one.
Jack Snow has just returned from his six-month police academy training, and he’s looking forward to a warm reunion with his widowed mother; what he gets is anything but. The story is quite a short one, easily readable in a couple of hours. But it lacks something.
Since returning home Jack’s had three things on his mind: his mother’s startling change of behaviour, catching up with Misty, the love of his life, and finding a job. But even though Misty is mentioned almost every other page, we never get to meet her, only through Jack’s memories. And both Misty and the issues around Jack's job are both red herrings when it comes to what this story is really about; they're just page filler.
The story’s climax comes and goes very quickly, and you don't really get to understand what was behind it, and whether or not it was real. The books ends soon after—around the 80% mark—but be sure to read the a taster of book two at the end, as you'll finally get to meet Misty for yourself and decide if you want to know more.
Overall the pacing in this story is jumpy and significant time periods are skipped over in a mere sentence. The plot has a lot of dead ends, including Jack's old romance with Misty, which is entirely irrelevant.
It's a fair start to a paranormal series, but so much more could have been made of it if there had been more thought.
Jack Snow has just returned from his six-month police academy training, and he’s looking forward to a warm reunion with his widowed mother; what he gets is anything but. The story is quite a short one, easily readable in a couple of hours. But it lacks something.
Since returning home Jack’s had three things on his mind: his mother’s startling change of behaviour, catching up with Misty, the love of his life, and finding a job. But even though Misty is mentioned almost every other page, we never get to meet her, only through Jack’s memories. And both Misty and the issues around Jack's job are both red herrings when it comes to what this story is really about; they're just page filler.
The story’s climax comes and goes very quickly, and you don't really get to understand what was behind it, and whether or not it was real. The books ends soon after—around the 80% mark—but be sure to read the a taster of book two at the end, as you'll finally get to meet Misty for yourself and decide if you want to know more.
Overall the pacing in this story is jumpy and significant time periods are skipped over in a mere sentence. The plot has a lot of dead ends, including Jack's old romance with Misty, which is entirely irrelevant.
It's a fair start to a paranormal series, but so much more could have been made of it if there had been more thought.
December 4, 2014
Well can an object be evil? It can if a bad witch puts a spell on it. Jack has been away for 6 months and comes home to see his mom acting very strange. Almost like she is someone else. Jack wants to be a detective on the police force. so investigating is what he likes to do. so he sets out to find out what is going on with his mom . What he finds is hard for him to believe. It turns out to be an evil mirror that his mom got from the antique shop while he was away. This book is a real spooky page turner.
July 1, 2014
I read this story after reading Lana Hart's 'The Haunted Lingerie' and was delighted to have so much more depth added to this promising series. Jack Snow, a major character from the accompanying novel receives much deserved 'screen-time' in his own prequel. I loved reading this short and 'The Haunted Lingerie' and hope to see great things from Lana Hart in the future.
May 25, 2015
I received this a long time ago and just never got around to reading it. I did not like it. The story just did not make sense and it did not have a good flow to it. I will not be reading any more in the series.
July 6, 2014
This is an awesome free book, made me buy the 1st in the series. The characters are so well done! Total must read.
January 10, 2015
Fun fantasy story
I enjoyed reading something a little different with a some magic, a little surprise here and there. Still romantic, fun reading, relaxing.
I enjoyed reading something a little different with a some magic, a little surprise here and there. Still romantic, fun reading, relaxing.
November 24, 2015
Is a great book to read
January 22, 2018
‼️ Supernatural Horror, Outstandingly Written‼️
Smooth, but very deceptive. This story starts with a tightly woven tale where all seem to be peachy, overly sweet and unnaturally perfect. But thank heavens it’s a ruse. While we are engulfed in the revealing of some extremly skillfully portrayed full spectrum, very vibrant and vivid character. Learning their backgrounds, surrounding environments and their mindset, in regards to hopes, dream, fears and backstories. Its done in an eloquently skilled fashion so it blends seemlessly into the story.
(I hear the theme from Jaws in my head when I get to this point)
Like a hidden current that is just under the surface it can only be sensed by the hair standing up at the nape, and the uneasy feeling in the stomach, knowing thats something is coming, you want to scream: “Get out of there!”, “Run!!”.
But can only helplessly watch how the darkness sneaks in, gains momentum, and festers.
Its brilliantly done, and the way it manifests it self and the protagonists response, are all to human, all to real, making it into a plausible storyline with more than one wicked twist to it.
In my humble opinion its a perfected example of S.H.O.W (first letters of the word in the headline).
This is the first book of this author I’ve read, but I guarantee this wont be the last!
Exceptionally clever theme to this series (This is the first installment). Pared with a writing style that is perfection manifested! I definitely have to read the next book!
Smooth, but very deceptive. This story starts with a tightly woven tale where all seem to be peachy, overly sweet and unnaturally perfect. But thank heavens it’s a ruse. While we are engulfed in the revealing of some extremly skillfully portrayed full spectrum, very vibrant and vivid character. Learning their backgrounds, surrounding environments and their mindset, in regards to hopes, dream, fears and backstories. Its done in an eloquently skilled fashion so it blends seemlessly into the story.
(I hear the theme from Jaws in my head when I get to this point)
Like a hidden current that is just under the surface it can only be sensed by the hair standing up at the nape, and the uneasy feeling in the stomach, knowing thats something is coming, you want to scream: “Get out of there!”, “Run!!”.
But can only helplessly watch how the darkness sneaks in, gains momentum, and festers.
Its brilliantly done, and the way it manifests it self and the protagonists response, are all to human, all to real, making it into a plausible storyline with more than one wicked twist to it.
In my humble opinion its a perfected example of S.H.O.W (first letters of the word in the headline).
This is the first book of this author I’ve read, but I guarantee this wont be the last!
Exceptionally clever theme to this series (This is the first installment). Pared with a writing style that is perfection manifested! I definitely have to read the next book!
September 4, 2017
This story is about Jack, who upon returning home after six months away stops at an antique shop and buys his mom a comb and brush to go with and antique mirror she has bought a few months before.
This story I felt had more to do with Jack, his feelings for his girlfriend, and his basic guilt from his father dying then it did with the actual Magic Mirror, that had a dark curse.
Jack has bad nightmares, and his mom does some freaky weird stuff under the dark influence of the cursed object. Jack starts to wonder what is real and what isn't, but at first he just thinks his mom is ill.Then things really get weird, and he is so afraid he doesn't want his girlfriend in the house fearing his mother might be mentally ill enough to harm her.He even thinks she may have drugged him, but that's crazy , right?
I thought the mirror should have played a much larger part in the whole scheme of things. Itis never even mentioned that she is looking in it, or has weird feeling from it, so it really left me feeling robbed of the whole story. It wasn't terrible, but not a spellbinding tale either. It was just okay.
This story I felt had more to do with Jack, his feelings for his girlfriend, and his basic guilt from his father dying then it did with the actual Magic Mirror, that had a dark curse.
Jack has bad nightmares, and his mom does some freaky weird stuff under the dark influence of the cursed object. Jack starts to wonder what is real and what isn't, but at first he just thinks his mom is ill.Then things really get weird, and he is so afraid he doesn't want his girlfriend in the house fearing his mother might be mentally ill enough to harm her.He even thinks she may have drugged him, but that's crazy , right?
I thought the mirror should have played a much larger part in the whole scheme of things. Itis never even mentioned that she is looking in it, or has weird feeling from it, so it really left me feeling robbed of the whole story. It wasn't terrible, but not a spellbinding tale either. It was just okay.
February 11, 2017
Wow, okay
Pretty good read, quite a few errors too. I chose this book because I thought it sounded interesting... and it was. To be clear, no, **(Possible Spoiler Alert)** I absolutely don't believe objects can be possessed, that is, I don't think clothes, brushes, hand mirrors, etc., can be possessed.
Now that I've read this, I think I'll read the other books in this series.
Pretty good read, quite a few errors too. I chose this book because I thought it sounded interesting... and it was. To be clear, no, **(Possible Spoiler Alert)** I absolutely don't believe objects can be possessed, that is, I don't think clothes, brushes, hand mirrors, etc., can be possessed.
Now that I've read this, I think I'll read the other books in this series.
July 14, 2017
I will it's ok. I was lost more than anything in the book. The prologue didn't make since to what the story was about. The epilogue makes says its coming back, but yet the mirror was broken. There were parts that got omg omg, but then it went back to just needed more to make more sense. I think this could be a very good horror book if more information was added. I received an arc copy for my honest review.
March 17, 2018
Wasn't too bad, but; omg! the punctuation at times was dreadful, so were the spelling mistakes. At times you had to guess what either the missing word was or the wrong word meant to be. It wasn't that hard to hazard a guess the story n what was happening n yes! I was right all along.
Thankfully I didn't pay for the book, I would of been quite annoyed spending pennies what with all the mistakes.
I don't know how old the author is, but seems quite young. Would be quite a good, quick read if only she had some editing done before publishing.
Thankfully I didn't pay for the book, I would of been quite annoyed spending pennies what with all the mistakes.
I don't know how old the author is, but seems quite young. Would be quite a good, quick read if only she had some editing done before publishing.
August 17, 2017
This is a horror story. I thought there were some really good ideas in this book but I don't think the author did enough with them and I didn't like the ending. However the possibilities for future books will keep me reading this series with the hope that the author develops the characters further and smooths out some of the rough edges in her storytelling.
September 4, 2017
Horror. Unashamedly. There is something really bad happening to Jack's mother, but he doesn't know how to deal with it. Then it starts affecting him as well, and he is drawn to the dark. Things seem to be coming right at the end, but are they really? Don't be fooled ...
September 5, 2017
I loved this story! I was sort of expecting another HEA paranormal romance but that was not this book and I was very pleasantly surprised. I liked the characters and the story had a nice creepy factor.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
June 26, 2018
Great book!
This book finally got to the top of my list a few days ago, and I must say,it was really good. I loved the main character. Does he get the girl at the end? Will he return in the second book and be the hero? Anyway, great book!
This book finally got to the top of my list a few days ago, and I must say,it was really good. I loved the main character. Does he get the girl at the end? Will he return in the second book and be the hero? Anyway, great book!
September 2, 2017
Quite interesting series. Second book is better but this one is pretty good. Waiting to read the third.
March 24, 2017
Great horror story
Would like to recommend this to anyone who likes a good scary story. Will keep you on the edge of your seat for hours The author paints a grim picture of her characters
Would like to recommend this to anyone who likes a good scary story. Will keep you on the edge of your seat for hours The author paints a grim picture of her characters
January 25, 2016
It was ok. I didn't feel like it flowed very well and the characters lacked depth. I realize this was a prequel to a series I never read, and perhaps reading it first would have made a difference, but this seemed more like finding a torn out chapter of a book and having no idea of what is going on. I think, even if a book suggests there's more, it shouldn't leave me baffles about the motivations of the characters.
Want to read
June 14, 2014Free 06-14-14
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Mirror-Cu...
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Mirror-Cu...
July 10, 2014
needful things....
July 24, 2014
stupid
October 16, 2014
A short fairly predictable read.
April 24, 2015
shattered storyline
disappointed in the story, litter to enjoy in this book. Not interested in trying any more of this authors books.
disappointed in the story, litter to enjoy in this book. Not interested in trying any more of this authors books.
June 2, 2015
Magic
I liked it. It was good. The story line was great. It was sad. Wish it was longer. Wanting to get the next book.
I liked it. It was good. The story line was great. It was sad. Wish it was longer. Wanting to get the next book.
April 20, 2017
good book but eerie. Kept you on edge throughout the book. Good ending
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews