Bound By Sorcery

Half-Goddess Chronicles #1

by Antara Mann

A supernatural apocalypse is coming. To prevent it, I'll have to stop hiding in the shadows.I may be an elemental mage, but I prefer the quiet life. My occult bookshop barely pays the bills, but it keeps me out of the limelight.Unfortunately, things in the supernatural community aren't so quiet. When a New York banker is found murdered — with an ancient symbol carved into his chest — the Magic Council wants me to investigate.But I won't be solving the murder alone. Tensions between gods and demons are heating up, so the Council gives me a a powerful and frustratingly sexy fae.And as if that weren't enough of a distraction, now someone's trying to kill me...Bound by Sorcery is a fast-paced urban fantasy adventure featuring a kick-ass heroine, a hot hero, mystery, and lots of magic. Fans of C.N. Crawford, Ella Summers and Linsey Hall will likely enjoy this series.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fae, Fantasy, Witches, Paranormal Romance, Romance

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2017

About the author

Antara Man started writing at the age of seven and continues to this very day. Apart from reading and writing, you can find her practicing yoga, as she has developed a keen interest in self-improvement, spirituality and becoming a better human being. She is currently preparing her second book that is a mixture between contemporary fiction and sci-fi. She also enjoys writing criminal books and suspense stories and believes in unity in diversity. In her opinion, the best books and stories are a crossover between genres. Subscribe to her newsletter http://eepurl.com/SBGFf to be the first one to hear about new releases, giveaways and special offers. You can visit her website at http://www.antaraman.com.

Reviews

[Mairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in an exchange for an honest review, but all thoughts and opinions are mine!
Pretty easy to read, didn't have any problem there.
I can say I was somewhat surprised I hadn't read the preview or anything about this book. It is more a supernatural mystery than a romance- fantasy one. I am sure that as soon as you read it, if you have already, came into your mind the Fantastic Beasts.
The world that the story was set though not uncommon it was nicely presented. The whole book was a mystery story, in the end you will find a little bit of romance and an introduction to a new aspect of the world that by this point you' ll have already meet.
Delightful to read. I would suggest reinforcing the mystical atmosphere, because now it is just light delightful not shocking and breathtaking.
About the cover, it doesn't bother me but I have seen similar ones. I think that in my profile there is a book with a similar cover that I have already review. I am rather aware of that saying that advises not to judge a book by its cover, but for me, though it matters less than the actual content of the book, it is what catches the eye of the reader at first. I will add also that this one is more put together.
I will continue with the next book and I am waiting to see something that will blow my mind and not another nice story, but again breathtaking one.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an interesting premise, a good amount of action, elements of humor, and a strong heroine, all of which I appreciated. In general, the bones of the story are good, but the flesh could use a bit more work. The author tends to telegraph her plot “twists” well in advance of them occurring, which takes away some of the suspense. Additionally, there is sometimes of a feeling of a step having been skipped as one scene transitions to the next, or at least something being left unexplained that should have been better clarified. Furthermore, the emotions/reactions of her characters seem a bit unauthentic at times, changing overly quickly and often not staying consistent with the character as she or he had been previously developed. On a personal note, I found both her ex and her new love interest to be sort of jerky and far too full of themselves, so her fascination with each was rather off-putting. Finally, the book could have also used a bit more editing before being released into the world. Overall, I give it a solid 3 star rating, with the hopes that this author will continue to grow and strengthen her writing as she gets more experience.

[Lilly]

Loved it! Cannot wait for the second part!

[jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally done.

Not being a quitter I pushed through this book. Most of the interactions felt stilted and unnatural. The setting didn't have a realistic feel. At times I liked the book but the majority of the book was spent rolling my eyes or shaking my head. Needs serious revision but has a kernel of interesting... A small kernel.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Took a bit to get rolling but once it did was very entertaining. Going to red the next in the series and see how it goes.

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good book; it caught my interest due to a review and I’m glad I decided to read it, the review was spot on.
Alex is an elemental mage with other powers that seem to be attached to the moon phases. As they are unusual, she has been advised by her parental figure mentor not to talk about them.
Enlisted by her ex, Brendon, to assist in the investigation of an unusual murder. There is an occult feeling to what seems to be a ritual murder and while investigating there are a multitude of characters - shifters, vampires, witches, Fae, demons and gods.
Because of the seriousness of the murder one of the most powerful Fae, Kagen, takes charge and he seems very interested in Alex.
This is an easy, quick read with action, humour, great characters and interesting story. The ending had some "surprising" happenings. I’m looking forward to how this series will progress.

[Ms. Cyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool and mysterious

Alex is pretty cool and I love her mysterious lineage. I should have guessed she was a half goddess. Its not like it was in the title or anything lol. The weirdest part of the story I think was Brenden. I just don't understand his relationship with Alex. Very confusing.

Kagen on the other hand is Alpha all the way. Very arrogant but also noble. I am glad him and Alex are such a strong match. She won't let him boss her around much and he will make her listen.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Bound by Sorcery! It has a group of well rounded supernatural characters in a murder mystery that you want to learn more about. The story does wrap up, so no huge cliffhanger. The world building was phenomenal and I can’t wait to read more.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Bound by Sorcery, by author Antara Mann, is the first installment in the authors Half-Goddess Chronicles. 24-year-old Alexandra Shaw, who is an elemental mage, and her best friend Naomi, who is a hedge witch, run a bookstore in Ivy Hills, Connecticut called The Steaming Cauldron. After doing well since they graduated from Magica Academy, they're not doing too good these days since Desmond Cohen opened Magus World which has cut into their customers. Alex has healing powers whenever the moon is full. She also has a minor ability of reading an objects past.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Maaren · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it to the end but barely. This had okay bones but the execution was lacking and felt immature.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only we could give half star ratings, I'd have made this be 3 1/2 stars. It was a solid read..slow at times because of the world-building. I can't say that I loved the main character, but I didn't hate her either.

This is the first time I've read the author- lately I've been trying to expand my reading to more than just a small handful of authors. Would I read something else by the author? Yes, I would probably try one of her other books or I'll just wait for book two in this series.

Would I recommend this book? I wouldn't not recommend it- but for me to recommend something I normally have to love it. While I didn't hate this book, I thought it was pretty interesting, I just didn't love it.

[Patricia Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this author before but I will certainly read her future books. Naomi and Lyndsay are both witches who run a shop. I liked the main character, Lyndsay, especially as her magic grows and develops but she doesn't know why. As she joins a magical investigation group, she chases the mage who wants to destroy the world as we know it. We do find out who the instigator at the end but we don't know who his boss is. I would highly recommend this book.

[Christy deSade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing like Ilona Andrews!!

So the excerpt claims that this author is on par with Ilona Andrews and Lindsey Hall..... not even close!!! There was no world building, barely any character development and very little story telling. The author relied on information dumps and overused plotlines without anything to distinguish this work as unique. I don't feel the need to read anything else by this author.

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.

[Kreela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antara Mann: Book 1

Recently I decided to reread Bound By Sorcery. I remembered enjoying it but had never reviewed the book. The prologue gave me the same feeling (dej́a vu here) of wtf, are you sure you want to read this? Seriously, is this Demonology 101? But even if the story itself is much less evil and gruesome, the prologue, for once, is actually useful.

Alex and her friend Naomi run a wiccan tourist trap with working potions. It is not really utilizing Alex’s talents, but we have all been there, right? Stuck in a fun but dead-end job, out-competed by a lower-priced chain store down the way. Moreover, the proprietor is sexy, personable, but gives off an odouer du evil. He hosts an after-hours talk which makes me realize why his shop is performing better (it is a pseudo-club, social meeting place, bookstore, and coffee shop rolled in with the magic....sounds B&N-ish).

The first time around I don’t think I concentrated upon the political background, because I am seeing things I missed before. What I really like is the sexual tension between Alex and her ex-boyfriend, Brendan. She is angry after he just Ghosted her for 8 months, and suddenly he calls with a —-ooohhh—— lucrative job! Unfortunately, she cannot treat him as just another professional even as she is led to a crime scene (mentioned in the prologue). Now I realize the politics: Brendan works for an agency that maintains order to keep the Demons and Gods from killing each other. Not to mention other supernaturals. The Council has a treaty that stipulates Thou Shalt Not Kill....as long as the demon hunter groups disband and stay that way. It looks like the Order of demon hunters has been involved in this killing. Everyone is horrified.

Brendan is obviously the typical TV Detective: focused, dedicated, and ignorant of a social life. When grilling a hot supermodel he completely ignores her advances. She is an amazing npc, too. I don’t know how anyone with a poor memory like mine can keep a diary and even have a clue later what is on the pages. Just saying.

There are other characters, too. Carlos the Tiger shifter vegetarian is...hopefully going to have a better development in the next novel. He was background after an initial, interesting description. Hagan the new boyfriend strangely gave me absolutely no pitter patters, and I felt no real attraction along with Alex. She has such a chip on her shoulders about her poverty and lower class, despite her obvious elemental and other powers she must keep secret, that I find no sympathy. She only sees the glass half full, and I don't see why anyone would find her attractive right now.

The murder mystery is the theme around which the characters revolve, and it is done well. You will be surprised as to whom is running the evil show in the background, but be prepared for the supervillain's diatribe on all of his plot.

I am so relieved to read a PNR that is not focused on teenagers, coming-of-age, and all that. All the cool concepts right now seem to be focused towards younger readers. Sometimes you want a main character who has a job and some experience already. Finally!

[Tina Fritchley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to start out by saying, I really liked the concept of this book....but have a lot of issues with the execution of it.

Firstly, the transport charm. To use it, you need to "envision the place you want transporting to" - but two of the team had never been there. Also, magic is supposed to be kept secret from humans, but they used the transport charm in the middle of the street, with no sign of them checking for the presence of humans nearby.

There are way too many references to "gleaming yellow eyes". And what is with Brendan being permanently angry with absolutely no reason? That guy has issues.

Alex isn't being paid for her work with the Magic Council until after they've solved the case - but SHE has to provide the transport charms? with no payment? No wonder her shop is going down the drain.

I seriously disliked the disrespect and misogyny shown to Alex by both Brendan and Kagan. Dismissing her thoughts, ignoring her "magical inner voice", talking to her like a child. Especially since Brendan had asked her specifically to come and get involved in the case.

I'm totally unsure what the timeline was throughout this book - it wasn't ever so clear, and seemed to change from paragraph to paragraph - for example, the full moon was tomorrow night, then it was tonight, then went back to being tomorrow night.....very confusing.

And there were other things that didn't quite follow; for example "Awen was here, I could feel the taste of his magic"...followed a paragraph later with "I hoped he [Awen] hadn't gone out"......hold on, you can feel the taste of his magic though......

Carlos was entirely pointless.

A couple of other things that annoyed me were Alex's perpetual whining about being "lower class" and not having been born into one of the dynastic families. And her insistence on only eating pizza - she's at a top class restaurant having brunch paid for by somebody else, and she orders pizza...! It even states that the other food on offer is steaks, pork, burger and fries, Asian, Latin-American, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Italian.....and she gets pizza.....again....! Meanwhile, insignificant Carlos gets an insignificant "vegetarian meal" - nothing specific, just a vegetarian meal....

Finally - Alex has no idea what her hidden magic is or where it comes from, and as readers we're supposed to be entirely in the dark about that too - except that the book series is called "Half-Goddess Chronicles"....now let me think, what could that magic be????

Overall, I'm quite disappointed - having read a previous story by Antara Mann, which I enjoyed, I was hoping for much more from this one.

I received this book for free from BookFunnel via Voracious Readers Only

[A Baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why waste time reviewing a book that made you waste so much time already?

Because I think the author shows promise and could improve with time. As this is the only time I bothered to leave a negative review here are only the main points:

1. Do Not put the main "reveal", the most interesting "plot turn", on the cover of your book - I'm genuinely surprised there are reviewers who didn't know Alex was a half-goddess!

2. Creating conflict between characters can be a great tool - if the characters are well built and the conflict unfolds, slowly revealing more about why the animosity exists. However the interactions between Brendan and Alex left him looking like he's suffering from anger management issues and her from no self-respect.
Their "partnership" was basically a bunch of first grader interactions - 'Do this because I say so!' 'I don't wanna, whyyy?' 'Shut up and do it.' 'Oh, ok'.
Their 'conversations' also ended in misogyny a bit too often.

3. Make sure you know what kind of character you're writing. I stuck with the book because despite the often subpar writing and grammar, the MC seemed to be a strong, independent woman - that is until a hot, rich guy was introduced, at which point she becomes a stereotype of a groupie/gold digger leaving the reader with a huge WTF moment regarding why they end up dating and her (a business owner) thinks it's ok to accept an expensive holiday from someone she's just met?

Also there are some particularly ridiculous lines in this book:

"That guy's been spying on me" "Poor thing- what you've been through! Did he torture you?" "Worse. He told me about my mother." ---seriously?? how did her friend jump to the conclusion torture had occurred?

"Yes, yes, I'm grateful and all that, and it's all my fault - I know. I'll make sure the traitors are severely punished. I'll show them who's boss." ---this is delivered by the envoy of Hell described as striking fear into all those in the same room with him during an official meeting between representatives of Heaven and Hell....seriously???

And finally the positive: the book had an interesting idea regarding the supernatural world living side by side with the normal world, with its own police force and administration. This needed to be better fleshed out but was sincerely the only redeeming quality of the whole book.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex and Naomi, both mages, ran a bookstore together, the Steaming Cauldron. For some reason – probably the new magic shop that opened up and whose owner had a kind of darkness to his aura – their sales were down this month and they faced a major loss of several thousand dollars already. Since they lived above their shop, they could end up losing their home as well. Naomi encouraged Alex to get additional work to supplement their income, such as a job with Chaos Corporation who handled “difficult” supernaturals. But Alex’s magic was unique and she preferred to keep it hidden to avoid unwanted attention.

As Alex opened for business, Brendan, her ex-boyfriend now transferred to the Magic Council in New York, called her. She angrily ignored the call. Then he used his telepathy as a werewolf to contact her. There was a murder and the Magic Council needed her help. The normal payment would be doubled, and she realized she needed that extra money. So she finally accepted, gathered her enchanted weapons, and teleported to New York.

Carved into the human victim’s chest was a symbol that had been used by an extinct cult, the Holy Order of Shadows! Alex smelled the scent of dark magic. The Magic Council was so concerned by this serious situation that they brought in a Fae, Kagan Griffith, as an independent supernatural to oversee the investigation. The Court of Hell agreed to this, but only for a couple of weeks or they would take the investigation into their own hands. If they did, it would mean a possible war between Heaven and Hell! Could the Council’s team find the murderer to prevent that? And how would Kagan’s powerful presence affect their investigation?

I thought that this was a very interesting book, with a prologue that immediately set a tone of mystery to the story line. For me, it flowed at a good pace and kept up my interest as the team worked out the clues. The characters were sufficiently developed as they demonstrated their strengths throughout the investigation. I enjoyed the story and found it easy to follow and have no problem recommending it. You can definitely expect surprises in this one!

[Payne’s Bookworm Reviews (Samantha Payne) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🔥
‘Bound By Sorcery’ book one in Antara Mann’s urban fantasy The Half-Goddess Chronicles series.

Alexandra Shaw is an Elemental Mage or that’s what she has everyone believing she is. Only her mentor and her know that there is more to her, she has other powers that an Elemental Mage’s don’t possess. All her life she’s been told to be carful who she trusts and never let anyone more powerful know about her extra abilities. But when a mysterious ritualistic killing happens and Alex is brought on as an independent investigator to help solve it. Who or what she is, is going to be revealed.

A new to me author.

An excellent start to a series from the beginning you a thrown into a world full of magic, mystery, twist and turns, magical objects, secrecy and adventure. The storyline flowed well, it was fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat.

Alex is a kicka** heroine, with unknown powers and talents. She may not be able to use her powers as she is always suppressing them, but trusting her instincts is just what she uses along with her fighting skills. Working alongside shifters and a powerful Fae can’t be easy when she is the only female and the guys are considering trying to be the one in charge. But Alex does it and keeps kicking butt.

Kagan is a hot, mysterious, powerful specimen of a hero. He may seem a but arrogant when he is first introduced in the book, but he will win your heart over in no time. Especially with his magic constantly caressing. 😉

Brendan and Carlos both deserve mentions and recognition, but for different reasons.
Carlos the Vegetarian Tiger (I know right 😂) he may be a power tiger but he’s personality was welcoming, he never tried to be dominate and control everyone. He was cool, calm and friendly.
Brendan on the other hand irritated me, he was the one that begged for Alex to help out and then as soon as she gives any opinions or says something he didn’t like he would snap at her. Brendan just irked me and I’m hoping that he’s attitude and demeanor change in the upcoming books. As I can understand he was under a lot of stress with this book but it seemed as only Alex was the recipient of his bad attitude.

[Philip Dandolov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting, electrifying, and fast-paced novel with an interesting premise. You find yourself in a world that is quite different in comparison to the one depicted in the Alice in Sinland and Aaron in Sinland works, i.e. the esoteric traditions of Hinduism and other Eastern religions take a back seat. The main characters are well-developed (though one could argue that the Brazilian investigator Carlos remains somewhat in the shadows) and at the same time it's clear that they keep many secrets that are not to be revealed to the reader and the people from their social circles. Bound by Sorcery is worth the read in case the whodunnit variety of the detective story is your cup of tea, as the puzzle regarding the identity of the perpetrator of a number of heinous crimes remains the main focus of the story, but it also offers something to the connoisseurs of supernatural elements, magical creatures, mysterious forces of nature, and so on. The boundaries between the human and non-human universes are often blurred in this novel, which in my opinion adds to the story and makes the job of Alex (the narrator and a capable detective) rather difficult. I think that many of the Harry Potter fans will appreciate some of the implicit references to the distinct society that includes all the witches and wizards (the Wizarding World). All in all, I would recommend Bound by Sorcery to anyone who likes unconventional books and enjoys exploring the limits of human ingenuity.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Overall there was nothing TOO terrible about this book, but I felt that the flesh of it needed more work. Some things tended to be over explained which added a boring element to the book. The feelings and actions of characters seemed to be unauthentic and random- (Kagan who expressed interest in her and taking her to his home also at times just outright called her daft for no reason, Brendan getting irrationally angry when the MC has a hunch even though he asked for her to be there, etc).

SPOILER AHEAD*

Moreover I assumed the MC was supposed to be smart which was why Brendan had requested her, but it seemed all she did was show up and get attacked. She also kept pointing her fingers at a suspect for no good reason when there were other leads to be followed. If she really suspected Daniel (even up to the point where her captor is talking to her) why was she so nonchalant about her best friend seeing him?

Just too many things weren’t aligned in this book which is why I couldn’t continue to read it.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Alex is a very strong elemental mage and something else, but she has no idea what. Her and best friend Naomi own an occult magic shop together and when another magic shop opens in their small town it hits their bottom line and she decides to work another job to get the money they need to keep the doors open. Old boyfriend and colleague Brendan calls with a job for the magic council in New York and so that's when things really start to get exciting. The assignment involves human murders with a side of the occult. Along with Carlos a tiger shifter,Brendan a wolf shifter, and Keagan a fea, they set out to solve the murders and stop a war between the courts of heaven and hell. In the end Alex finally learns what she really is and how the one behind it all has effected her life in more ways than she could have imagined. Great characters with a touch of snark and lots of adventure looking forward to the next book!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex and her best friend Naomi run an occult bookshop together, that has recently fallen on hard times due to the opening of a new occult shop across town. They are at risk of losing their business and as they live above the shop they also may lose their home. About this time, Alex is contacted telepathically by her ex-boyfriend, Brendan, who needs her help with an investigation into a ritualistic murder that has a connection to dark magic. Brendan sounds pretty desperate and since Alex really does need the money she agrees. Alex sets off on her adventure with a new annoying voice in her head, and 3 companions: Brendan, the annoying wolf shifter, Carlos, a vegan tiger shifter, and Kagan, a sexy fae. Can they solve this murder which could lead to a war between Heaven and Hell and a supernatural apocalypse?

I liked Alex as the main character, although she could be a bit petty at times. The story was well developed and kept me reading because I really wanted to know what would happen. I certainly wasn’t able to guess the ending! I really liked the different kinds of magic in this world and how different supernaturals have different kinds of abilities. It was neat to see how Alex’s powers grew in strength with the full moon. I also liked the sounds of all the supernatural food - it sounds delicious! I’m interested to see how much more Alex will grow in the next book, now that she knows the truth of her powers and has access to tutors that can help her master them.

There wasn’t a lot I didn’t like about this book. Sometimes the characters were a bit annoying with their petty bickering, but it did add some comic relief to the story. Also, I usually read with my kindle app set to black with white writing because it’s easier on my eyes, but in some places there was white highlighting (I tried, but it wasn’t removable) over the words so that they were impossible to read on this setting. I just changed the setting to white with black writing and that worked fine, so it wasn’t a big deal.

Overall I really enjoyed Bound by Sorcery. I definitely will read the next book in the series!

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE WILD AND INTENSE RIDE!!!
One gigantic collision with fate! Scenes, characters, location and details are so realistic I had no trouble interpreting each scenario as they play out right before my eyes. Twixt and twined and put through the wringer as we witness all the trials and tribulations. You get drawn into this world so deep everything else ceases to exist. Twists and turns abound with a legion of surprising circumstances that make for one thrilling experience. A churning eddy of inadvertent mishaps and a slew of surprising events launch your emotions into play with every color on the spectrum. Antara brings this baby together beautifully with a delicious storyline and gripping plot. The characters are genuine, original and believable with such depth and individuality it's easy to relate. Amazing job Antara, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.

[Lisa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series starts with a plot that is fast paced with lots of magical action and battles as Alex and a group of supernatural detectives strive to find the powerful being behind a pair of ritualistic murders. Alex knows she has many types of powers, but lacks the knowledge of who her mother is. Her background plays an important clue to solving the murders, but it is not until she is asked to work as an independent investigator for the Magical Council, that has her questioning everything she has known. As the storyline progresses, so does the emotional tension and the plans to solve the murders gets more critical. The suspense and nail biting scenarios will hold your attention from the first page til the end. The banter and romantic overtones give the story a light feeling in a world filled with dark energy. The ending will have you smiling and wanting to know more!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the writing style was a bit rushed at times and I had a hard time getting into the story in the beginning, I did enjoy the mystery, or rather mysteries, that the story revolves around. On one hand, there’s the murder mystery aspect where every character introduced seems suspicious. And then on the other hand, there’s the whole mystery surrounding the MC’s heritage. The ending was definitely more engaging than the beginning, but that’s to be expected of the first book in an urban fantasy series. Really cool concepts and world—I mean shifters and Fae are immediate draws for me in books these days—though I’m not sure if I’d keep reading the series. Book 1 ended on a good/enticing note though.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra and Naomi’s occult bookshop, The Steaming Cauldron, has been bleeding revenue since a competitor, Magica World, opened. Thus, when Brendan, an investigator for the Magic Council, calls, she joins an investigation into the murder of a banker.

This Witch & Wizard Thriller is engaging. Unlike many similar stories, the main character starts out powerful. Nonetheless, she is far from invincible. Her opponents are cleverly matched against her and the team. The last chapter before the epilogue provides a pleasant end. The epilogue then opens questions about the unknown future. Overall, this is an excellent story.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex is an elemental mage, with weird powers. When she is asked by her ex to help figure out who killed a human in an arcane ritual, she doesn’t realize that it will finally help her figure out who she is.
Working with a powerful Fae, Kagan, her ex Brendan, and a vegetarian Tiger-shifter Carlos, she investigates the death, and the ones that come after, never realizing just how close to home it will all hit.
This is a fast paced, action filled, magical Urban Fantasy, with intriguing characters, and a heroine with a mysterious background.
If you enjoy UF or PNR, then you’ll have fun reading this!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a book is so well written that it seems effortless. Yes we had beautiful people and fantasy. We also had a real mystery, and a great scope of settings. I thought I knew from the first few chapters who I suspected as the villain but happily it was more complex than I thought. We are left with more to discover about the characters but the book works as a stand alone story. I liked that Alex, the lead female has a best friend, a mentor, a past to unravel, and a lot of room to grow. My best compliment is that this book kept me up well past my bedtime because I enjoyed it. Thank you to Antara Mann.

[Someone's Peas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot sounds like it is right up my alley, so I feel like I should've liked this way more than I actually did. I can't say why but I found it difficult to connect to the characters, including Alex. The dialogue and overall writing is often very predictable and sometimes feels awkward. Sentences feel choppy and abrupt rather than naturally fluid, if that makes any sense. I mostly ended up finishing this book because I was curious about what Alex was, otherwise I probably would have dropped it sooner.