A Journey of Despair (Magic Incarnate)

Magic Incarnate #4

by Nicole Zoltack

It's not every day you get sucked into a portal to Hell. Crystal Wynter’s life is in turmoil. She’s banished demons to Hell, only she’s stuck there too, with the witch Gavin, a close friend and a good kisser, and Vince, who may or may not still be her boyfriend. As the trio struggle to survive demon attacks and traverse this hellhole, it soon becomes clear that Crystal must find a way to become magic incarnate again, or else they will be stuck, body and soul, in Hell for all of eternity.

228 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2017

About the author

Nicole Zoltack is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to write romances. Of course. She did marry her first kiss, after all!

When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or witches, she enjoys spending time with her loving husband, three energetic young boys, and precious baby girl. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are The Walking Dead and Stranger Things.

Everyone who signs up for her newsletter receives a free book, so sign up now! http://www.subscribepage.com/m0k3l8

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading. Stuck in hell, even though it's her job to get others out. Who will she end up with. Have to keep reading, no stopping, straight on to the end

[Rozzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about this fourth book in the magic incarnate series by Ms. Nicole Zoltack except that it is utterly amazing? Okay after the first book I was instantly hooked into this series and eagerly awaited the next book with anxious enthusiasm and anticipation. I seriously didn’t think this series of books could get any more exciting, dark and more angsty than it already was. Boy was I wrong Ms. Zoltack just upped the stakes by throwing in another possibility not of earth which in this series is Claymore, other towns that we have run across in the female’s protagonist’s journey, the witches den, dealing with shamans but hell a place of not only fire/brimstone but of despair and that is more easily imagined but also dreaded than anyplace imaginable. Yet still if you didn’t want to you can read all of these books as a standalone without feeling too lost since there is enough back story to understand what is going on. I just like how the deep development and growth of the characters from each book to the next. Plus how everything comes into play helps to read them in order. I feel this so far is the grimmest solemnest book out of the series yet but also a turning point for all of the three protagonists since all of them have to deal with teenager problems but the fate of the world problems. All of them have to deal with being in hell and exactly how are they supposed to get back to earth and save the world without being consumed by the fires and the despair of hell which is this even possible.
Crystal Wynter’s life has gotten even more complicated in banishing the demons plaguing her hometown of Claymore she herself along with her friends Gavin and Vince is thrust into hell. Can Crystal save her friends Gavin and Vince from the fires and despair that the place of hell seeks to destroy their faith in themselves but can they escape with their lives are they doomed to suffer in hell unable to save their family and friends from Claymore?
I have enjoyed Crystal’s change from the first book to this book. Yes she is more apprehensive and very sad but I felt a growth in her. She’s not the same light hearted girl from the beginning she’s at odds with herself and doesn’t trust herself questioning her abilities yet still trying to stay positive which is pretty hard to do. I felt at times I really needed something more light hearted to read but then again the whole tone of the book is supposed to be like this. I was cheering all the time for Vince so I guess I was team Vince from the beginning. I have liked him from the get go and wanted only good things to happen and possibly Crystal to end up with him which I was sad about what happened to him. There is just something about Gavin I just don’t know his attitude that he is supposed to just be with Crystal was pretty irritating at times. I guess in actuality I liked the complications of the love triangle and wasn’t ready for it to be over. I just hope things will work out for Crystal her magic will save all the people she’s loved and lost. So now I am awaiting the next book and the next trek into Crystal’s crazy haphazard life including her group of friends.

[Jane Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of 'A Journey of Despair in exchange for an honest review and I tell you Mrs Zoltack has out done herself once again. I have never read a series that get better and more exciting as the book before but this 'Magic Incarnate Series" blows my mind. This is Book 4 and what an amazing masterpiece this author has created. As the 3 prior books before this the book takes off from the get go. There is just as much excitement and angst as the one prior and I kept thinking 'What more can happen to each individual" but oh my your not going to believe it when Crystal, her boyfriend Vince and best friend Gavin face all the dangers around every corner of Hell. They are trying to find the portal out of there. Find out what happens to Crystal's best friend Brianna. I kept turning the pages not wanting this book to end. And this story never loses steam. This book can be read as a stand alone as Mrs Zoltack gives us an update in the beginning of the book as to how the last book ended but I recommend if your going to read this then start with the first book "A Question Of Faith". You will be glad you did. This is such an amazing read and most definitely my favorite Series by this author but don't listen to me, read it for yourself. I can hardly wait for book number 5 to come out. Kudos Nicole, you have captured my heart once again.

[Victoria B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Magic Incarnate series and is just as great as the all the other books in this series. This book picks up exactly where book 3 ends and follows Crystal as she, Gavin and Vince trek through hell trying to find a way home. The three of them face all the horror you would think comes with being in hell plus additional horrors your worst nightmares are made of. I love how the characters have developed and grown as each book progresses. Mrs. Zoltack puts enough detail and feeling into the writing of this book that you drawn in and taken on this adventure with the characters. There is sadness, suspense, fighting with and without magic, and the constant internal battle with their own fear and despair that each character has fight in order to try and move through hell and out the other side. I recommend reading these books in order to fully understand the back story and what has lead to this point. I gave four out of five stars because parts of the story line seem to be a little redundant but it is still a great read. Now to wait for the next book.

[Kellyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book. It was a fantastic read. The characters truly take form and speak to your heart. They just keep running from one disaster to another yet never give up. They ending had me in tears.

[Linda Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read the whole series from start to finish and it was quite a journey. Once I started, I was eager to read more. I highly recommend the series.
It really is a great YA fantasy story with lots of surprises along the way.

This fourth book really challenges the characters. Crystal's faith takes quite a beating in her journey to Hell. It was on of the saddest of the books for me. I felt a real connection to the characters after reading the other two and this book was very sad to me as I felt the pain like Crystal did. It seems like just when you get your hopes up, you get so disappointed.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.

[Birgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

What infernal trip, you must read this!
As well as already the previous books, this could also tie me up again. I contains teen, struggling with love, witches, demons, shamans, a stay in hell and of course magic (the good and the bad one). Exactly what every good book needs.

So go ahead, grab your own one and enjoy your reading as much as I did.

This book was a gift and I freely offered to review it.

[Julie Marita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

This book felt like a never ending story, and not in a good way. Too many repetitions, too many typos.. And I’m dyslexic and normally don’t notice them! So I’m giving up on this series, I just get sleepy reading it unfortunately..

[Shelly Wygant · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not every day you get sucked into a portal to Hell.

Crystal Wynter’s life is in turmoil. She’s banished demons to Hell, only she’s stuck there too, with Gavin and Vince. Turmoil was an understatement to this story. Crystal, Gavin, and Vince don't get a break in this story. It is one whirlwind of fighting to live and escape. The angst, fear, and nightmares just keep coming one after another. You will be on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. As the story progresses you see Gavin, Vince and Crystal change because of not only what has happened to them but what they believe the future holds. These three grown so much over time. Ms. Zoltack did a great job of writing a story that makes you cry, scream, and yell because you don't know what is going to happen next. Will Crystal, Vince, and Gavin make it out of hell alive? Will they have to sacrifice something or someone? Follow these three through turmoil as they struggle to see the future.

I voluntarily reviewed an copy of this book for Kylie's Fiction Addiction.

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not happy

Despair is the right title for this book. Did you ever see a train wreck coming but you just couldn't look away? That's how I felt with this book! So much sadness. And yet, I had to find out. So, bravely on to the next! It really drags you in!

[Véronique Laplante Grenier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book.

A journey of Despair is the 4th book in the Magic incarnate serie by Nicole Zoltack. It's really good. Each books keeps getting better and better. Can't wait to read the next one in the serie.