Defying Magick

The Witch Blood Chronicles #2

by Debbie Cassidy, Zehra Jane Naqvi (narrator)

Death comes in many packages, and sometimes it comes in several at the same time...

Carmella’s obligation to the djinn is over, so why does the world feel a little bleaker? There’s barely time to ponder before a horrific massacre leaves her in charge of her first case with the IEPEU. Under the watchful eye of the organisation's top investigator, and with the help of her friends, Carmella must uncover the identity of the supernatural creatures behind the attack and expose the person pulling their strings.

If that wasn’t enough, her asura power chooses this case to surge to the surface. Now Carmella must quickly learn to master a force bigger than she could ever have anticipated. Because Carmella is on a hit list, and the person that wants her dead will do anything to uncover her weaknesses, except this time Carmella won’t be taken by surprise. This time she’s not going down without a fight.

Escape into an urban fantasy world filled with adrenaline pumping action, pulse pounding romance, super hot djinn, and sexy dragon demi-gods. Scroll up and grab your copy today!

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

6 pages, Audible Audio

First published October 5, 2017

About the author

Debbie Cassidy lives in England, Bedfordshire, with her three kids and very supportive husband. Coffee and chocolate biscuits are her writing fuels of choice, and she is still working on getting that perfect tower of solitude built in her back garden. Obsessed with building new worlds and reading about them, she spends her spare time daydreaming and conversing with the characters in her head. She writes Urban Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy and Reverse Harem Fantasy. All her books contain plenty of action, romance and twisty plots.

Connect with Debbie via her website at https://debbiecassidyauthor.com, email her at debbiecassidyauthor@gmail.com or check her out on twitter https://twitter.com/authordcassidy Sign up to her newsletter to grab a free short story, and stay up to date on new releases: http://www.subscribepage.com/f6u2k8 Or join her reader group on Facebook to stay in the know: https://www.facebook.com/groups/17595...

Reviews

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

What’s a girl to do when she has just found out her Dad isn’t who she thought he was, her mom has disappeared with all the answers, a witch coven wants to strip her of her witch magic, some crazy smoke men are after her, the Djinn who was inside her body is totally gone and a Demi-God is convinced you are his Mate.  Time to break out the Tequila and kick some butt.



I love Urban Fantasy (UF), modern day world with magic and supernatural stuff of all kinds.  What is not to like. So I love it when I stumble into a UF world where I want to spend some time.  The Witch Blood Chronicles are a continuation in the same world as Debbie Cassidy’s The Gatekeeper Chronicles.  I haven’t read them yet but I will.

This was a great addition to Binding Magick, Carmella is back in action exploring her Asura (god blood) powers and learning what the little kernel of power she feels inside really is.  There isn’t much down time in this series with each book coming in around 250 pages, we need to hit the ground running and keep going until the end.

I’m generally not a fan of love triangles for a few reasons.  I hate it when my guy doesn’t win in the end and it seems like 4 out of 5 times I totally pick the wrong guy.  Also I usually have a hard time jumping ship once I have one. But…..I’m totally jumping ship this time. Paimon is the Djinn betrothed to another for a political alliance on his world and I was so on board last book with the forbidden romance.  However, Vritra the Demi-God who is also trying to teach Carmella about her Asura power is just yummy. After the events and reveals of Defying Magick, I’m totally on board with a Carmella/Vritra happy ending for sure. Paimon who???



Still the nice thing about this series is that even though Carmella is lusting after a few hot men here and there, there is also a lot of action.  She is still looking for the lost souls of the Djinn who were taken in the prior book and trying to discover who took them and why. I was a little surprised to find out the culprit but liked the direction the story took with all the bad guys.  Don’t worry, just because one mystery is solved doesn’t mean anything, there are a few others introduced and Carmella is at the center of them all.

So far this is a fun and intriguing series. I’m really excited to see what Carmella does with the new information she received in this book and I’m invested not only in resolution for the action plot lines but also to who will be her HEA.

Audio Note:  I like the voice of Carmella and the audio performance for all of the characters in done well.  I’m enjoying the accents and even with the introduction of new characters the narrator made each sound like individuals.
 

Listen to a clip here.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the first novel, Carmella continues to search for her mother as she holds the key to who her father is and who bound her magic. She completed her training and accepted a position at the IEPEU the Iner-Entity Pact Enforcement Unit.

Carmella bears witness to a horrific supernatural massacre and is assigned to take the lead for the IEPEU. She'll be under the watchful eye of a superior, but Carmella is determined to catch the culprits. Threats from the Dijinn, and her asura power emerging complicate things. Poor Carmella.

Our heroine is snarky, fouled mouthed and not afraid to jump into action mainly if a friend is in danger. That danger causes her asura form to materialize, and it was epic. I was thrilled to discover what she is. Carmella begins training even as the witches want to strip her of her magic. The girl has spirit though, and it's her break out the tequila and kick some ass attitude that makes me smile.

The murder mystery was an intense one. Through it we watch Carmella grow as she faces disappointment, betrayal and struggles to master her skills. She surrounds herself with a group of friends, who aid her and before the story ends, she will add another.

There is a romantic thread with plenty of complications, but it's served as a side dish. It will be interesting to see how Cassidy develops it.

Zehra Jane Naqvi narrates and provided an enjoyable narration. Her accent and rendering of Carmella capture her spunk, vulnerabilities and kickass moments.

The series is refreshing and deals with a lot of Hindu based beliefs, gods, and supernatural elements. I am looking forward to seeing Carmella come fully into her power and new role at the IEPEU. Each book deals with a new case to solve, but an overall arc concerning Carmella and her powers might make you want to consider reading these in order.

Fans of snarky heroines, mysteries and magic will want to check out Defying Magick and this action-packed series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC!

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

November 2018
Audiobook Re-Read
I stand by my original review below, although the love triangle thing bothered me a lot more this time around and I would probably lower my rating because of it. Maybe 3/3.5 stars. I hate love triangles, especially when one of the choices is beyond ridiculous.


March 2018
4 Stars - I really liked it
Audiobook

Defying Magick, book 2 of The Witch Blood Chronicles, continues to be an enthralling story. I love the plot, I love the secondary characters, I love the world but what I don't love is "love triangles". 😒 Oh, yes. In an adult urban fantasy we have what looks like the beginnings of the dreaded trio. *sigh*

Carmella is learning that her life isn't what she thought it was. New information is making itself known and lots of stuff is happening. I really enjoy the plot outside of the romance. The romance area is not looking good for my nerves. I guess it will depend on how the author handles it in the next book. Headed to book three now.

Sex scenes: none, but there is kissing between Carmella and two different males and she gets hot and heavy with one of them.
Language: Moderately graphic
OW/OM: Carmella thinks she's falling in love with one particular male but she feels strongly drawn to another.

[KLynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 reluctant stars

I'm not sure I really liked this book. I'm giving it three stars because it was well written and the intrigue makes me want to read the next book.

Why I didn't love it:
- I prize loyalty above most things and in that regard this book was a downer.
1. Her friends were helpful when they were around, but they were never around.
2. The first book built this entire relationship between her and the Jin. In this book he just came off as slimy and let's just say he didn't choose her.
3. There was a twist in this book that I won't reveal, but just know it also fits into this category.
- I like there to be some sort of romance in whatever book I'm reading. I'm not talking the main plot point, but there needs to be romance or romantic tension. Unfortunately, this book had neither.
- finally, the storyline was just standard fare.

** On a positive note, I listened to this on audio and the narration was well done.

[Andrea Heltsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! Quickly becoming a favorite urban fantasy series! Camilla and her friends are filling a big hole Kim Harrison and her hollow series left behind. Five glittery stars!

[Noone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was rather disappointed compared to the first book.

My main problem with this book is the crude plot steering. It makes use of a lot of lazy and very transparent plot devices to make things happen as needed.
The main offences are emotional and impulsive decisions, stupidity to the point of tstl by multiple characters, incredibly contrived and unlikely good/bad luck, and just outride illogical conclusions.

Larger groups act not like collections of individuals but like two-dimensional blobs which all homogenously jump to conclusions to stoke the drama and raise the stakes. Keyword witchhunt. Yea, this is a real dynamic that can lead to catastrophic mob justice but it doesn't happen constantly with every possible demographic every single time a group of people larger than 5 comes together and go from 0 to riled-up mob in a few moments almost every time. It feels like the average IQ in this world is at room temperature. (Yea, I know that doesn't technically make sense because IQ is defined by the average but who cares.)

There seems to be no depth to any of the motivations of any relevant character. This only became apparent in this second book because almost everything was still shrouded in mystery in the first one.

It still manages to keep to its pre-planned consistent plot line but the attention to detail around it, which made it feel so much more natural, is missing.

The MC exhibits more and more of this typical shounen anime hero "I have to save everyone" personality that I just can't stand. This is more a personal dislike than something objectively bad judging by how many people eat this shit up. I am fine with fundamentally believing in the good in people but I also believe in common sense and if the former supersedes the latter I get frustrated fast.

Tbh I believe she shouldn't be employed by the IEPEU at all and fully agree with the judgement of whoever dissuaded her from retaking the exam thingy in the first book. If you really look at all her involvement she always either stumbles into things on pure accident or is deliberately being pulled in by the perpetrator. The only thing she is really good at is being lucky and surviving the shit that is being thrown at her as well as being born special and therefore being interesting to important people. She rarely accomplishes anything at all on her own merit beyond her genetics.
She isn't stupid or incompetent in general but she just isn't good enough to justify the importance, status and level of involvement that is being bestowed on her.

I will continue with the series in the hopes it might get better again as the author is clearly able to do better than this and because I am somewhat caught by her intriguing origins.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes when you start a new series the first book is wonderful but the second installment is not so accomplished. I am happy to report that this is not the case with"Defying Magic," the second installment in the Witch Blood Chronicles. As a matter of fact I think book two was even better than the first.

Carmella is trying to adjust to her new life without her connections to the Djinn. Then the unthinkable happens and a massacre of the family and alphas of a friend causes her to get involved in capturing the monsters responsible. In order to do so, Carmella must seek help from the very person she has been avoiding, Vritra. They manage to come to an agreement where she trains with him and he assists her.

Meanwhile, the witches blame Carmella for 13 gruesome murders of their own and they want to take away her magic. She agrees but there will profound results including her getting in touch with her Asura side. It seems that everywhere she turns there is intrigue and subterfuge but she us going to have to develop faith in herself if she is going to survive.

I really enjoyed this read. It was a nonstop mystery and I loved every minute of it. Just to let you know how much I read both book one and two within hours. So, you can see I'm really enjoying this. There is no doubt that I highly recommend this urban fantasy series. Just be prepared to set aside time to enjoy the story.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah Nelly is this an overwhelming and fun book. There's so much going on. There are plots within plots, betrayals, neat surprises and enough action to satisfy a junkie. By the end of the novel our heroine Carmella will have really come into her own, a kick-a** heroine supreme who has learned much about who she truly is (though much more clearly remains) and has gained the key to vast powers (though not really yet the control). I'm going to hold off describing more as I don't want to reveal any of the surprises (I've been trying to be very careful so far to not do so as it's really hard). Leave it enough to say that this is a wonderfully crafted story with great characters, friend and foe (though not always clear which is which), which was a total pleasure to read.

You must read the series book 1, Binding Magyk, before this one, but you don't really need to have read the predecessor Gatekeepers Chronicles series. I haven't - yet - though I suspect that would've enhanced this series if I'd read it before starting book 1. As for this book, if read in order after book 1 it will easily be a five star read and thus I'm happy to highly recommend it.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I have to say this book was fun to read. It captivated me with a twist or two with a few laughs along the way. After reading the first page I had to go onto the next and the next after that. Our main character Carmella is 1/2 witch and 1/2 Asura .. This we found out in book 1 and book 2 picks up a few months after book 1.
Carmella is part of the IEPEU of which is like the police but for the paranormal and supernatural. Which means they solve the super strange mysteries that go bump in the night. What fun that must be to go chasing after a vampire or some other supernatural being. And that is what Carmella does but in this part she is chasing down a rogue demon possessed witch for the High Witch; Plus Carmella is on somebody's hit list... How does a girl survive with that kind of label?
At any rate you are in for a treat.... I read it and loved it and so will you...

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely Worth the Read

The characters are well developed and interesting with enough plot twists to keep the overall plot interesting. I read so quickly that I'm glad the series is finished since I'll be done with it in 24 hours.

I'm sucked into this world and I love it! If you like strong female and male leads this is a great series for you. It doesn't have that YA feel and it holds my attention, which a lot of UF books have struggled to do these past few months.

More underlying mysteries to be uncovered, but not at the sacrifice of each plot line in each book. I love that Carmela has her "tribe" and Debbie fleshes out each of those characters as well. A few grammatical errors, but not many. I'd willingly be a proofreader for her anytime!

I'd recommend giving this book/series a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator is the main reason why I continue with this series 😽 Her voice is gorgeous❤️. Other than that, the second book has as many plot holes as a block of Swiss cheese, and I guessed the villains almost from the start 🙈 It’s as if the author painted a Big Red Arrow above their head lol.

On a plus side, I like the world the author had created - a Multiverse with hundreds of different magical creatures based on Indian mythology is pretty cool, but I can’t stop being annoyed at plot lines that were dropped or forgotten, although they supposed to be important.

Aaaaaand don’t let me start on a love subplot 🥲 It is so pathetic I just can’t 🙈

[°мαggιє° (っ⚈ᴥ⚈)っ™ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Triangles are messy...in book 1 I was all for Paimon but now I'm all Vritra. Is the author on purposely making Paimon's betrothed a bitch as an excuse to kick her out of the story later on? Hell no. Just let Vritra and Carmella be together!!!

However, both Paimon and Vritra have little personality apart form an insane attraction to Carmella. Vritra, because of the lusty bond between their dragons. And Paimon? Well Paimon...for no reason.

[Holly Minch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was so good I read the first three blooks in one night I could not put it down the entire series is worth reading, this is a spin-off of The gatekeeper Chronicles highly recommend reading that as well. The main character really grows with each book and so dose it he storyline you really invest in the characters the Villain really surprised me in fact a lot of the story line keep me guessing. You can’t go wrong with this book.

[Mary aka scooby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hired killer after who. Carmella's binding with the Paimon the Djinn. She just gotten her first case that she just witness. Things are not what they seam , and there are new enemies that need to be identified and dealt with . While all that is going on Her mother disappears with answers. Then she has scales , she needs help . Help comes from the strange place Vritra daughter. This is an action pack book with lots going on.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defying Magick is the second book in the series about a witch called Carmella, who also happens to be half asura. I was gratified to see some tangible growth in characters across the novel, and happy that the multiple love interests are dwindling down to manageable proportions.

It's exciting to see that the series has some twists and turns, it isn't all a straight line through the plot. As a reader it is nice not to see everything coming.

[Courtney Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well at least the story was good..

I only gave a 3, because while I really do enjoy the story, the writing was awful. I cannot count how many times I was so frustrated I actually wanted to throw my phone (reading device) and completely give up on reading this. This is a really good story. So PLEASE, for the love of all things good in this world, find a decent editor!

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book,

I really don't write reviews. It takes time from reading! However, here I am telling you this author is amazing! No insta love(although sometimes that's not so bad) but instead we are really seeing the main character, Carmella, developed into who she is.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging story will keep you on your toes wondering if all is as it seems. Is the character friend or not, the various plot twists will keep you reading to find out. I voluntarily read an ARC and this my honest review.

[Karyogini · Rating 3 out of 5]

More stuff to pine over... Friends to forget... and bigger problems...

Ok... I like the story but the protagonist is driving me insane... Hence, I'm going to crack open the next book because I'm hooked and angst reading.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defying Magick, book 2 of the Witch Blood Chronicles, is a book I picked up through Kindle Unlimited. While I liked the plot and still enjoy the characters, this was not my favorite storyline--but a great ending has me eager to see what happens next.

[innferno · Rating 4 out of 5]

The character development is fantastic.
Lowkey really started hating on Paimon though.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good characters, well written, interesting plot with twist and turns to keep you interested.

Better than book one but hopefully not as good as book three.

[Thomas Tymstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the better side of not bad...

[Gaëlle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful heroine! Awesome plot! Can't wait to read the next one!

[Sheila Ryals · Rating 5 out of 5]

😻

Love this series! Really like this author! So much freaking intriguing things! Oh and a bit of a roller coaster for emotions as well!

[Adellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Team Vritra 100%!!

[Anna Cressy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second book in the series

Fans of urban fantasy will enjoy this rich and complex world. I like a heroine who is focused on issues larger than just her love life.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

[Isabel Ede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns in this book. The characters get better and better. Loving them all. Did not see the ending in this book.