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Vile Sacraments #1
An Unholy Magick
She’s an assassin with a gift her parents died for.
He’s a reluctant prince content to drink himself into oblivion.
And hiding in plain sight amongst them both, a monster is searching for redemption.
In a kingdom where magick is forbidden and spoken of only in whispers, they must each face their own demons, walking the line between loyalty and betrayal.
Enter a dark new world full of forbidden love, painful loss, and a growing war between those with power and those who crave it. An Unholy Magick is a bloody and spell-binding fantasy debut, the first from Kali Rose Schmidt’s shadowy series, Vile Sacraments.
He’s a reluctant prince content to drink himself into oblivion.
And hiding in plain sight amongst them both, a monster is searching for redemption.
In a kingdom where magick is forbidden and spoken of only in whispers, they must each face their own demons, walking the line between loyalty and betrayal.
Enter a dark new world full of forbidden love, painful loss, and a growing war between those with power and those who crave it. An Unholy Magick is a bloody and spell-binding fantasy debut, the first from Kali Rose Schmidt’s shadowy series, Vile Sacraments.
Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2019
206 people want to read
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October 26, 2019
Read this full review on my blog along with others at: Foals, Fiction & Filigree.
I received a copy of this book via the publisher, The Parliament House, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.
All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Death, Injury, Murder, Gore
When I read that a book is a “dark fantasy”, I typically take it with a grain of salt. Most fantasies are dark, in a way, or have an element that make them seem dark at times. An Unholy Magick definitely fits into this genre well. I say this because, while reading, I couldn’t help but wonder: where are the good guys? Elena Salas is the main character, and doesn’t function like most protagonists. She has a complicated past, which in turn, has influenced her enough to become an assassin-for-hire. While she isn’t unlikeable, she isn’t someone I’d choose to look up to, either.
The plot quickly divulges that Elena’s mother was a Magick--a person who had the ability to wield and use magick in different respects. Not long ago, Magicks were outlawed in Anglar. Hunted down by the king’s men, Elena’s parents were murdered, and she was left an orphan. Having to be able to provide for herself, Elena was trained in the art of murder, and has become a successful--and wanted--murderer-for-hire. Ratted out by her previous lover and employer, Elena is taken by the king’s men and son, Prince Zoran, to be punished for her crimes. In her captivity, Elena discovers that she too, has powers, and her life drastically changes. When the king becomes aware of Elena’s powers, he forces her into becoming his personal assassin to usher in his own political gain. Elena is then trained in how to use her powers by the only person allowed in Anglar that can use Magick.
Being an experienced assassin, paired with her new abilities, Elena is tasked with the job of killing the queen of Garcari. It is a land beyond a dreaded woods full of feared creatures that allows and openly welcomes Magicks. While Elena doesn’t understand the extent of the king’s motivations, she learns that a sinister plot is thickening at each turn. The ruin of a city, an evil ruler, and a movement to begin a new war emphasizes how the powers at work become even darker.
A common theme shared among the four most-prominent characters, Elena, Prince Zoran, Matvey, and Jamie is a mutual pain. Elena's, as discussed before, is due to her parent’s murders and her line of work. Similarly, Jamie too, was orphaned, and had to take on responsibility for himself at a young age. Prince Zoran is in the middle of a battle between his mother and father, and drowns his sorrows by drinking instead of confronting them directly. When Matvey’s past is finally discovered, the revelation of his story explains a lot about who he is at the present. Through their experiences, I think it makes each of these characters relatable and realistic within the fantastical story that they are placed.
I thought that An Unholy Magick was an imaginative read. The world and the way it is constructed is unique, along with the magick system. I wish there would have been more description of the world itself to help set the stage for the sequel. I also want to see more about each character individually, but look for those details in the book(s) to come. If you are looking for a dark fantasy that features unique magick systems, a love-triangle, and a complex plot, be sure to check this read out!
Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual content: Kissing.
Violence: Moderate including beheading, crucifiction, and gore.
My Rating: ★★★1/2
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I received a copy of this book via the publisher, The Parliament House, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.
All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Death, Injury, Murder, Gore
Loyalty doesn’t lie within a boarder.
When I read that a book is a “dark fantasy”, I typically take it with a grain of salt. Most fantasies are dark, in a way, or have an element that make them seem dark at times. An Unholy Magick definitely fits into this genre well. I say this because, while reading, I couldn’t help but wonder: where are the good guys? Elena Salas is the main character, and doesn’t function like most protagonists. She has a complicated past, which in turn, has influenced her enough to become an assassin-for-hire. While she isn’t unlikeable, she isn’t someone I’d choose to look up to, either.
The plot quickly divulges that Elena’s mother was a Magick--a person who had the ability to wield and use magick in different respects. Not long ago, Magicks were outlawed in Anglar. Hunted down by the king’s men, Elena’s parents were murdered, and she was left an orphan. Having to be able to provide for herself, Elena was trained in the art of murder, and has become a successful--and wanted--murderer-for-hire. Ratted out by her previous lover and employer, Elena is taken by the king’s men and son, Prince Zoran, to be punished for her crimes. In her captivity, Elena discovers that she too, has powers, and her life drastically changes. When the king becomes aware of Elena’s powers, he forces her into becoming his personal assassin to usher in his own political gain. Elena is then trained in how to use her powers by the only person allowed in Anglar that can use Magick.
Being an experienced assassin, paired with her new abilities, Elena is tasked with the job of killing the queen of Garcari. It is a land beyond a dreaded woods full of feared creatures that allows and openly welcomes Magicks. While Elena doesn’t understand the extent of the king’s motivations, she learns that a sinister plot is thickening at each turn. The ruin of a city, an evil ruler, and a movement to begin a new war emphasizes how the powers at work become even darker.
A common theme shared among the four most-prominent characters, Elena, Prince Zoran, Matvey, and Jamie is a mutual pain. Elena's, as discussed before, is due to her parent’s murders and her line of work. Similarly, Jamie too, was orphaned, and had to take on responsibility for himself at a young age. Prince Zoran is in the middle of a battle between his mother and father, and drowns his sorrows by drinking instead of confronting them directly. When Matvey’s past is finally discovered, the revelation of his story explains a lot about who he is at the present. Through their experiences, I think it makes each of these characters relatable and realistic within the fantastical story that they are placed.
I thought that An Unholy Magick was an imaginative read. The world and the way it is constructed is unique, along with the magick system. I wish there would have been more description of the world itself to help set the stage for the sequel. I also want to see more about each character individually, but look for those details in the book(s) to come. If you are looking for a dark fantasy that features unique magick systems, a love-triangle, and a complex plot, be sure to check this read out!
Even magick cannot touch death.
Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual content: Kissing.
Violence: Moderate including beheading, crucifiction, and gore.
My Rating: ★★★1/2
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October 20, 2019
An Unholy Magic by Kali Rose Schmidt was an awesome read. I’ve been excited for this book ever since I saw the first hints of it. I’m mildly obsessed with this author and love everything she writes, but this one has got to be one of my favorites so far.
The characters in this book are amazing. Everyone is beautifully flawed and I think that’s what makes them so intriguing. Kali paints a world that is harsh, and at times terrifying, but oh so beautiful.
This book grabs you from the start and it does not let you go until the end. There is death and blood at almost every step, which makes perfect sense given that our heroine is an assassin.
In this world “saintly” doesn’t imply goodness, just as “monster” doesn’t always mean evil. If you love dark things this book has it and it’s amazing. Now I just have to wait for the next book while nursing the metaphorical gaping hole in my chest where this book ripped out part of my soul.
The characters in this book are amazing. Everyone is beautifully flawed and I think that’s what makes them so intriguing. Kali paints a world that is harsh, and at times terrifying, but oh so beautiful.
This book grabs you from the start and it does not let you go until the end. There is death and blood at almost every step, which makes perfect sense given that our heroine is an assassin.
In this world “saintly” doesn’t imply goodness, just as “monster” doesn’t always mean evil. If you love dark things this book has it and it’s amazing. Now I just have to wait for the next book while nursing the metaphorical gaping hole in my chest where this book ripped out part of my soul.
October 22, 2019
This turned out to be a great start to a new series by the author. The lead is a very strong-willed female character who, after hiding for a long time after magick is banished by the King, finds out a big secret of her own she wasn't even aware of involving how magick plays a role in her life. It was a page-turner and has a somewhat solid ending for those who don't like to read past the first book of a series, although there are some questions left in the air that will make most want to continue on to the next book. Other characters in the book have a lot of mystery surrounding them, and it keeps the reader on their toes as the story can be unpredictable at times.
October 23, 2019
An Unholy Magick by Kali Rose Schmidt is a wonderful story that I have read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I loved reading. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2019
Well paced & likeable characters. Really enjoyed this book and was sad when I finished it! Hope there is a follow up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2019
An Unholy Magick
The Vile Sacraments Series Book 1
Kali Rose Schmidt
Loved the book! The story was full of adventure and action. I could not put the book down!
The Vile Sacraments Series Book 1
Kali Rose Schmidt
Loved the book! The story was full of adventure and action. I could not put the book down!
October 11, 2019
OH. MY. GOD.
This book...This book is literally everything. I was hooked from the first few pages, and I devoured this book. An Unholy Magick is such an amazingly written dark fantasy novel. There's never a dull moment, and the pacing is pure perfection. The characters you grow to love, or in some cases appreciate to despise. I'll just say it right here and now: This book is a must read.
Plot: While the story is told in 3rd POV, our main focus is Elena. We do get to see paragraphs here and there centering on other main side-characters, but Elena is the true focus. We follow Elena as she maneuvers around the castle of King Nicolas, who has had her captured to complete a deadly assassination for him. She has no choice but to obey to survive. She learns more of herself as she prepares for the task, and learns much more about the world she lives in. Things are much bigger than they appear, and in turn nothing is at it appears. I won't say more for spoilers, but trust me it's amazing! The overall storyline is quite clean, as we have a starting point and an end goal to reach. The journey to the end goal is entrancing, and you can't get your eyes to move away from the pages. The scenes are described beautifully, and I really felt myself imagine as if I was there. Once we reached the end goal, I felt my heart torn into multiple pieces and then gently glued back together. So many emotions, but they were all done so well that only leaves me excited for the next book.
Characters: I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS. Elena is a badass, and she deserves to be called nothing less. I loved her development throughout the book as she prepares for her task. She was strong already, but she clearly had much to work on, and how she ended up in the end really made me see how much she's changed. I absolutely loved her, and she was a perfect heroine! Prince Zoran is a character I'm looking forward to learn more about. We got to know him quite a bit here, and I grew to love him the more he appeared in scenes. It's no surprise that he's nothing like his father, and it appears that there may be more to him than initially expected. I look forward to seeing how he develops in future installments! Matvey...oh Matvey. He was an unexpected one! I expected to hate his guts...but no. He's bae and I call dibs on him, so sorry guys lol. i thought he was a cocky bastard at first, a man who was too full of himself and could care less if Elena died. His development in this book truly shocked me, and I didn't expect to love him as much as I did! He's easily my favorite character, apart from Elena of course, and I don't want to see him get hurt! I cannot WAIT to hear more of his backstory, as I'm aching to get some answers!
So you should probably know that I adore this book. I had no issues with it, and even thinking back I can't pinpoint a moment where I had any negative feedback. I thought this book was perfection, and it deserves all the attention tbh. Keep in mind, there is blood...oh so much blood. If such a thing bothers you, put on the big kid pants and still read this. It's literally SO GOOD. I'd even go so far as to say one of my top 10 books of the year. And I've read a lot of books this year. This is one I seriously recommend checking out, and I can't wait for the sequel!
ARC provided by The Parliament House Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book...This book is literally everything. I was hooked from the first few pages, and I devoured this book. An Unholy Magick is such an amazingly written dark fantasy novel. There's never a dull moment, and the pacing is pure perfection. The characters you grow to love, or in some cases appreciate to despise. I'll just say it right here and now: This book is a must read.
Plot: While the story is told in 3rd POV, our main focus is Elena. We do get to see paragraphs here and there centering on other main side-characters, but Elena is the true focus. We follow Elena as she maneuvers around the castle of King Nicolas, who has had her captured to complete a deadly assassination for him. She has no choice but to obey to survive. She learns more of herself as she prepares for the task, and learns much more about the world she lives in. Things are much bigger than they appear, and in turn nothing is at it appears. I won't say more for spoilers, but trust me it's amazing! The overall storyline is quite clean, as we have a starting point and an end goal to reach. The journey to the end goal is entrancing, and you can't get your eyes to move away from the pages. The scenes are described beautifully, and I really felt myself imagine as if I was there. Once we reached the end goal, I felt my heart torn into multiple pieces and then gently glued back together. So many emotions, but they were all done so well that only leaves me excited for the next book.
Characters: I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS. Elena is a badass, and she deserves to be called nothing less. I loved her development throughout the book as she prepares for her task. She was strong already, but she clearly had much to work on, and how she ended up in the end really made me see how much she's changed. I absolutely loved her, and she was a perfect heroine! Prince Zoran is a character I'm looking forward to learn more about. We got to know him quite a bit here, and I grew to love him the more he appeared in scenes. It's no surprise that he's nothing like his father, and it appears that there may be more to him than initially expected. I look forward to seeing how he develops in future installments! Matvey...oh Matvey. He was an unexpected one! I expected to hate his guts...but no. He's bae and I call dibs on him, so sorry guys lol. i thought he was a cocky bastard at first, a man who was too full of himself and could care less if Elena died. His development in this book truly shocked me, and I didn't expect to love him as much as I did! He's easily my favorite character, apart from Elena of course, and I don't want to see him get hurt! I cannot WAIT to hear more of his backstory, as I'm aching to get some answers!
So you should probably know that I adore this book. I had no issues with it, and even thinking back I can't pinpoint a moment where I had any negative feedback. I thought this book was perfection, and it deserves all the attention tbh. Keep in mind, there is blood...oh so much blood. If such a thing bothers you, put on the big kid pants and still read this. It's literally SO GOOD. I'd even go so far as to say one of my top 10 books of the year. And I've read a lot of books this year. This is one I seriously recommend checking out, and I can't wait for the sequel!
ARC provided by The Parliament House Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 17, 2019
A book I've been waiting for some time, and that made me very happy when I received the ARC from The Parliament House Press.
He is everything I thought it would be.
It kept me attached to him from the first chapter. Really.
And there's magic, and blood, friendship, and blood, and love and blood.
And there's Elena, who makes you want to be there for her, and with her. I love to see what was happening to her throughout the book, with her strength, fragility and humanity.
There is Zoran, who also captivates in his -not- inoccent way.
And there's Matvey. What to say about him? Just that I look forward to seeing him and learning more about him in the next books.
I loved being dragged into this magical and bloody world.
I literally shouted at the ending so, I can't wait for the next book !!
He is everything I thought it would be.
It kept me attached to him from the first chapter. Really.
And there's magic, and blood, friendship, and blood, and love and blood.
And there's Elena, who makes you want to be there for her, and with her. I love to see what was happening to her throughout the book, with her strength, fragility and humanity.
There is Zoran, who also captivates in his -not- inoccent way.
And there's Matvey. What to say about him? Just that I look forward to seeing him and learning more about him in the next books.
I loved being dragged into this magical and bloody world.
I literally shouted at the ending so, I can't wait for the next book !!
December 4, 2019
I was given an eARC of An Unholy Magick by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. (For the full review, see my website: https://www.dahliaburroughs.com/an-un...)
Since her time as a published author, Kali Rose Schmidt has released 12 books and she doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. Her latest deal with The Parliament House Press has her signed for another series, An Unholy Magick being the first book!
Writing dark fantast has its perks. You might see Kali state that she loves monster boys. She also writes them very well!
I was first introduced to her work when she contacted me for a developmental edit on her novel Stranger Rituals. I have to be honest here, her writing (even without line and copyediting and proofreading) is amazing. The story is engaging, dark, and thoroughly entertaining.
Unfortunately, I am yet to have the time to binge-read her other books. But they are as follows: All That She Can, Beyond the Night Curtain, Fire & Heart, Ice & Bone, Cold & Blood, A Stolen Heart, Souls of Darkness, Sacred Souls, and All the Dead Souls. In no particular order.
Basically, what I want to state about this book before I get into the full review is: This is what Throne of Glass could have been, but failed to live up to.
First, I want to talk about the reason An Unholy Magick didn't receive 5 stars from me. The major plot point of the story seems to be the point that Elena enters the foreign kingdom to destroy the foreign queen (names removed to avoid spoilers as much as possible!). However, this moves by very quickly and seems like an easy task, which clearly showed Elena was stronger than the foreign queen. I was most looking forward to this plot point, so when it didn't span even half of the second act, I was a little disappointed. Being that this is book one in a series, I'm excited to see how Elena grows as she is very powerful already.
The best part about this book was act one. Exploring the world Elena lives in, the magic, the rules, and the people she meets/knows was so enjoyable. So as not to spoil too much of the story, here is a basic rundown of my favourite characters:
Elena (of course!) is amazing. She is tough, sassy, and caring. She doesn't have to care about her enemies, but she does.
Jamie, Elena's best friend and "brother", is so sweet. The quotes I want to share regarding Jamie are huge spoilers and better read with the entire novel. But toward the end of the novel, he really steps up and makes a tough decision, not knowing what his future might be. (Even writing this hurts my heart!)
Zoran...poor Zoran. This prince has had it tough, hence his drinking and drug problem, but he has this gentleness and genuineness that makes him hard not to like. Even though Elena is an assassin, he comes to care deeply for her. He trusts her from the very start. Why he would be so foolish, I have no idea, but perhaps he is drawn to her fight and spirit.
Being the prince, he has very little control over his life. Perhaps, due to this, his intrigue for Elena grows until he can't decide how he feels.
Zoran's portion feels short, like he has no page time, even though he does. I'm very excited to see more of him in future books because he will be the cause of something very big. He has a lot of growing up to do and I believe Elena will be the very person to help him through that.
Matvey is quite possibly my favourite character. His story is overwhelmingly sad, but I cannot share his life here as it contains spoilers, you will have to read the book to find out the life story of this monster. Hidden within the depths of the King's castle to do the King's bidding, he assists Elena with her power and they unveil some pretty amazing information about who she truly is. (And who he truly is!)
The worldbuilding is another particular favourite of mine. Kali created plants that are used as drugs, the one described and used in An Unholy Magick is leka, a unique blend of depressant and stimulant properties. She also created a forest, which is part of a major plot point, where the mad Death King may dwell (though, this is not known for certain). The Dark Forest is filled with dark magick and contains vampyres, werewolves, and so much more. This forest is terrifying and those within it are ridiculously creepy!
Kali's poetic writing held me captivated throughout the entire story. I love the twists, turns, and the elegance of the wording.
While my favourite act of An Unholy Magick is the first act, the third act was heartbreaking. A lot of issues were resolved but the future is uncertain.
If you love dark fantasy with a hint of gore, magick, and cute, monster boys An unholy Magick is for you!
Since her time as a published author, Kali Rose Schmidt has released 12 books and she doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. Her latest deal with The Parliament House Press has her signed for another series, An Unholy Magick being the first book!
Writing dark fantast has its perks. You might see Kali state that she loves monster boys. She also writes them very well!
I was first introduced to her work when she contacted me for a developmental edit on her novel Stranger Rituals. I have to be honest here, her writing (even without line and copyediting and proofreading) is amazing. The story is engaging, dark, and thoroughly entertaining.
Unfortunately, I am yet to have the time to binge-read her other books. But they are as follows: All That She Can, Beyond the Night Curtain, Fire & Heart, Ice & Bone, Cold & Blood, A Stolen Heart, Souls of Darkness, Sacred Souls, and All the Dead Souls. In no particular order.
Basically, what I want to state about this book before I get into the full review is: This is what Throne of Glass could have been, but failed to live up to.
First, I want to talk about the reason An Unholy Magick didn't receive 5 stars from me. The major plot point of the story seems to be the point that Elena enters the foreign kingdom to destroy the foreign queen (names removed to avoid spoilers as much as possible!). However, this moves by very quickly and seems like an easy task, which clearly showed Elena was stronger than the foreign queen. I was most looking forward to this plot point, so when it didn't span even half of the second act, I was a little disappointed. Being that this is book one in a series, I'm excited to see how Elena grows as she is very powerful already.
The best part about this book was act one. Exploring the world Elena lives in, the magic, the rules, and the people she meets/knows was so enjoyable. So as not to spoil too much of the story, here is a basic rundown of my favourite characters:
Elena (of course!) is amazing. She is tough, sassy, and caring. She doesn't have to care about her enemies, but she does.
Jamie, Elena's best friend and "brother", is so sweet. The quotes I want to share regarding Jamie are huge spoilers and better read with the entire novel. But toward the end of the novel, he really steps up and makes a tough decision, not knowing what his future might be. (Even writing this hurts my heart!)
Zoran...poor Zoran. This prince has had it tough, hence his drinking and drug problem, but he has this gentleness and genuineness that makes him hard not to like. Even though Elena is an assassin, he comes to care deeply for her. He trusts her from the very start. Why he would be so foolish, I have no idea, but perhaps he is drawn to her fight and spirit.
Being the prince, he has very little control over his life. Perhaps, due to this, his intrigue for Elena grows until he can't decide how he feels.
Zoran's portion feels short, like he has no page time, even though he does. I'm very excited to see more of him in future books because he will be the cause of something very big. He has a lot of growing up to do and I believe Elena will be the very person to help him through that.
Matvey is quite possibly my favourite character. His story is overwhelmingly sad, but I cannot share his life here as it contains spoilers, you will have to read the book to find out the life story of this monster. Hidden within the depths of the King's castle to do the King's bidding, he assists Elena with her power and they unveil some pretty amazing information about who she truly is. (And who he truly is!)
The worldbuilding is another particular favourite of mine. Kali created plants that are used as drugs, the one described and used in An Unholy Magick is leka, a unique blend of depressant and stimulant properties. She also created a forest, which is part of a major plot point, where the mad Death King may dwell (though, this is not known for certain). The Dark Forest is filled with dark magick and contains vampyres, werewolves, and so much more. This forest is terrifying and those within it are ridiculously creepy!
Kali's poetic writing held me captivated throughout the entire story. I love the twists, turns, and the elegance of the wording.
While my favourite act of An Unholy Magick is the first act, the third act was heartbreaking. A lot of issues were resolved but the future is uncertain.
If you love dark fantasy with a hint of gore, magick, and cute, monster boys An unholy Magick is for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2020
Wow. Schmidt took me on another great and dark adventure. From the world she built, to the characters that inhabit it, this story was one amazing page turner.
The history and crisis presented felt real and dangerous. The mix views on the King was rather enjoyable and I liked not knowing if I should hate or like the king. It's not very often I get that conflicted with my feelings about characters and I loved the change.
While the beginning was kinda slow and the ending rush, I didn't feel that the pacing detracted from the story in any way. The slow beginning allows the world, back ground, and history to get set; the fast ending made it to where the story didn't feel like it was dragging it's feet. Normally, I am not a big fan of this type of pacing, but just as with the king, I enjoyed this change of pace and felt it was definitely what the story needed.
The only problem I have with it is with the character Elena. While I understand the horrors and trauma she went through is extremely difficult, she used them as a way to pout and throw a tantrum, something I am very grateful the other characters pointed out. Another problem is I don't understand the relationship she has with Zoran. It felt forced upon Elena and the reader, thus making it inorganic and difficult to except. The only real relationship I felt she had was with Jaime, Aranka, and Dominic.
That being said, outside of her relationship with Zoran, I enjoyed her character development and definitely saw growth in her. I am excited for the next book to come out, as this book ends on a rather interesting note; not so excited about the Elena/Zoran deal.
(I personally would enjoy seeing Elena end up with Matvey over Zoran because their relationship felt more real than the one between her and Zoran)
The history and crisis presented felt real and dangerous. The mix views on the King was rather enjoyable and I liked not knowing if I should hate or like the king. It's not very often I get that conflicted with my feelings about characters and I loved the change.
While the beginning was kinda slow and the ending rush, I didn't feel that the pacing detracted from the story in any way. The slow beginning allows the world, back ground, and history to get set; the fast ending made it to where the story didn't feel like it was dragging it's feet. Normally, I am not a big fan of this type of pacing, but just as with the king, I enjoyed this change of pace and felt it was definitely what the story needed.
The only problem I have with it is with the character Elena. While I understand the horrors and trauma she went through is extremely difficult, she used them as a way to pout and throw a tantrum, something I am very grateful the other characters pointed out. Another problem is I don't understand the relationship she has with Zoran. It felt forced upon Elena and the reader, thus making it inorganic and difficult to except. The only real relationship I felt she had was with Jaime, Aranka, and Dominic.
That being said, outside of her relationship with Zoran, I enjoyed her character development and definitely saw growth in her. I am excited for the next book to come out, as this book ends on a rather interesting note; not so excited about the Elena/Zoran deal.
(I personally would enjoy seeing Elena end up with Matvey over Zoran because their relationship felt more real than the one between her and Zoran)
October 24, 2019
This book had all of the facets that I enjoy in a novel—adventure, action, romance, and diversity—and a few I didn’t expect. These elements worked together to fashion unique and memorable characters throughout the narrative. Elena Salas is a particularly strong-willed and determined lead. Driven by a past that keeps resurfacing and a mission for revenge, she finds herself the main character of a king’s twisted plot to rule the world. Schmidt’s style is altogether simple but impactful, her magic realm well structured and intriguing, and the action plentiful. I would recommend this to any fantasy enthusiast craving a quick but engrossing tale.
December 28, 2019
I had very high expectations for this read but was kind of disappointed. The story line seemed really exciting and engaging but it took almost up to 87% of the way through for the actual mission to happen and before that it was just sluggish training and poor death attempts.
The love interests were just that...interests and nothing really happened. We don't learn a lot of the secrets that were insinuated about others in this novel and the ending was just that...and end. Nothing really captured the closure of the story to ready readers for the next book. I am glad to see this is only book one as it was definitely incomplete and left a lot of unanswered questions.
The love interests were just that...interests and nothing really happened. We don't learn a lot of the secrets that were insinuated about others in this novel and the ending was just that...and end. Nothing really captured the closure of the story to ready readers for the next book. I am glad to see this is only book one as it was definitely incomplete and left a lot of unanswered questions.
October 25, 2019
An Unholy Magick is a dark, fun and fabulous story and a great start to the Vile Sacraments series. The characters are interesting and the story is intriguing filled with magic, action, blood, dangerous assassins, strong intense characters and an amazing yet scary world. I loved everything about this story and I didn't want to stop reading it until the last page. Which meant we ate take out last night so I could finish reading. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
October 31, 2019
I've read several books written by Kali Rose Schmidt; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2019
A really great book that I enjoyed reading. The story and characters are well written. My attention was kept throughout the story and was a hard book to put down. I recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 2, 2020
READ THIS ONE IT'S SOOOOOO GOOD
September 1, 2018
Magic in the court is an exciting, fast paced adventure that is easy to open and hard to put down. The book is a perfect mix of magic, royalty , and super natural forces colliding against the tapestry of a master crafted world. The plot is gripping , the dialogue rich and captivating. I found myself emotionally invested in the characters and can only hope a sequel follows quickly. Without a doubt the most enjoyable read I’ve had in ages !
I hope you love it as much as I did ...
I hope you love it as much as I did ...
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