Mabon

by Kellie M. Davies

Magick or Love. If both ran deep in your blood, which would you choose? On her sixteenth birthday, introvert Lucy DeBane can’t shake the memory of her father’s death, or the possibility that by day’s end a life altering ancestral truth will blow apart the world she knows. Lucy is sure of one thing, her feelings for Gil … tall, dark and hot ... her first real love. So when she hears the chiming of ancient bells and her family’s secret is revealed, Lucy must make a decision … become a DeBane witch, or walk away from family for love. Is there a way she can have both? Mabon is the first book of the compelling Clandestine Chronicles series of witchcraft and romance.

Genres: Fantasy

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2018

Reviews

[Jodie- Readthewriteact · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot but I did find some aspects of it frustrating. At time I was confused by who all the side characters were and how they fitted into the story. I also struggled with the big cliffhanger at the end of most chapters and how at the next chapter we skipped ahead in time. Thus meant we never got to feel the big moments as the characters were feeling them.

[Please Pass the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabon by Kellie M Davies is the first installment in The Clandestine Chronicles series. The story centers around Lucinda (Lucy) DeBane on her sixteenth birthday, which happens to be the same day when she finds out if she's a witch or not like her mother and two older sisters. Meanwhile, she's also grappling with the death of her father (which shares the same anniversary date as her birthday) and the longing of a youthful heart in the first blossom of love with Gil, her best friend Liberty's brother.. Ultimately, Lucy make some desperately hard choices for a girl of sixteen, especially when old family secrets are revealed and more than just Lucy's heart is on the line.

Kelly M. Davies offers a fresh twist on the teen paranormal romance genre with Mabon. The story line is delicious and the romance remains clean, with Lucy living up to the cute and often lost phrase, “Sixteen and never been kissed.” Told in the first-person with a distinctive voice and her point of view as our guide, Lucy is an easy young protagonist to root for in every aspect, and it was interesting for me (and definitely fun) to learn some of the finer intricacies of Wicca that Davies weaves into the plot; little bits and bob here and there that titillate without feeling like gratuitous information dumps. As Lucy grows in her understanding and power, so too does the reader...and this is what makes me excited for book two, Yule, to be released.

Review written for Readers' Favorite.

[Pegboard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kellie Davies enchants us with a young witch coming of age in Mabon (The Clandestine Chronicles Book 1). Lucy DeBane had been looking forward to the day when she turned sixteen, and dreading it. It not only marks the anniversary of her father's death, but she finds out if she is passed over as a witch. There hasn't been a complete family of witches since the 1400s. And as much as she wishes to bond with her mother and twin sisters in this family heritage, she is afraid this would end the budding emotions she has for Gil. Her uncertainly and doubt is escalated when she is dangerously sought after, with her friends in the mist of the turmoil thrown at her. All this without a guide or instructions as to how to protect those around her.

I found Mabon very well written, with no apparent mistakes in spelling or grammar, making this a more enjoyable read. Kellie Davies begins with a mystique surrounding Lucy's birthday and the significant events that are surrounding her. I enjoyed how the story unfolds as the main character matures in the role she is to play. The emotions she has for Gil is typical for a girl at this age, making this an excellent read for teenagers interested in paranormal romance. This novel will twist at your heart as Lucy loses some of the people in her life. I found the author did an excellent job implementing the paths all three sisters chose on their initiation night through the answers they gave. This was an outstanding first book and looking forward to another in this series.

This review was written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

[Lauren Jenkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I peeled open the first page to the moment I read the last word I was hypnotised. Mabon was glued to my hands and my mind enslaved to the story of Lucy and Gil!
I’m itching for the next instalment of The Clandestine Chronicles and I’ve only just released my grip on the first.
Mabon fed me just enough information through each chapter to keep me satisfied yet created so much mystery that I was always hungry for more. I lived the tale so vividly as I read that I could feel every touch, every gust of wind and every emotion.

Can’t wait for the next fix!

[Emily Sadovna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for this magical time of year. The beautifully written story is a bubbling cauldron of the frustrations of loving the unattainable boy, unfolding revelations and an evocative world of witchcraft and magick.

The likeable characters draw you into a family reminiscent of The Graces (another fav book) with secrets lurking in the shadows. The simmering black magick comes from an unexpected source and builds to a climax with shocking consequences. Can't wait for the sequel, will the Debanes come to England?

[Sarah A Vogler · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading Mabon, I was jealous of 16-year-old Lucy's magical abilities (she's a witch--shhh, don't tell anyone). But as I read further on, I slowly learned that these abilities come with a price. There is a darker side of witchcraft that forces Lucy into a struggle between defending her family and friends from the dark reaches of her ancestry. Davies weaves her story well, throwing in plenty of twists and turns that will leave you gaping in shock.

I can't wait to read the next instalment and find out what else is in store for Lucy!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!

Honestly started reading this on a whim, only to find out I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I have always loved witches and their stories and this is one of identity, family, history and of course love. I so recommend it! Can't wait for the rest of Lucy's story.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book just after I downloaded it and I was hooked since the first pages.
I really appreciated this paranormal romance, well written and entertaining.
I loved the fleshed out characters, the plot and was fascinated by the world building.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine

[Emily Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelli M. Davies does a FANTASTIC job with this coming of age novel. It almost felt as if i was in the book myself! I’m
not usually one for books with any sort of magic, but this... did not let me down by any means. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more and i can’t wait for Yule! Congrats Kelli on an amazing debut!

[Sarah Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cover and title of this novel is what originally drew me to it. I really enjoyed the story and I polished it off within a day but there were a few things that made it somewhat difficult to keep track of. I recently read another review of this and that particular reviewer nailed it. I’m echoing her thoughts and adding a few of my own.

But....I found that I was getting bombarded with all of this new characters and sub characters all at once. It made it really difficult to keep people straight and also really get into the primary characters. Side note though, give me more Gil! Even though he can be cheesy, I totally love him.
Similar to this, that Egyptian story at the end completely lost me with all of the characters in a quick span of 5 pages; I got the gist of the purpose of it but it could have been executed better.
Another frustrating thing was that some key chapters would end on a cliffhanger with an emotional intent, and then the next chapter would pick up after it would happen. What I mean is, one chapter might end on a moment of a possible kiss, the next chapter would leap forward in time without warning and we as the reader, would miss that moment. I’m a huge fan of emotion and intimacy in novels as it helps you identify with the characters. Many key moments fell flat for me because of this. I also felt lost sometimes at the beginning of a chapter because I didn’t know what moment of time we’d leapt forward to.

All of that being said, I really really enjoyed it and I can’t wait for Yule to come out so I can read it. I’ve been drawn into Lucinda’s story and I need to know more!

[Mil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Yes I do in fact have an unfair advantage as the author is my mother, but even so I would consider myself hooked on the plot!
My favourite part/thing from this novel is Lucinda’s abilities being shocking to herself, like how in the scene with her and Gil in the forest she just does the spell without really thinking about it, which I think is pretty cool.
My least favourite part of this novel is the fact that the nice old ladies that lived together (Violet and Myrtle) are not lesbians. I was kinda hoping but oh well.
Anyway I loved this book, especially how it explores magic and witchcraft within the modern world (especially with the Egyptian lore)!!! Very very cool Mum <3!!
(When are the next ones)

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but at times left me a little lost. There are cliffhangers at the end of some chapters and when you get to the next chapter it skips ahead and than we find out what happened later. And understand what the author was trying to do there, but it felt off. The writing is good and the story itself is good and I will read the next book in the series.

[Rachel Bourneuf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Story - Needed Better Editing

Well, the story is good, the characters absorbing, and worth the read. The editing left something to be desired. Just needed some polishing - but trying book #2.

[Charmaine Sims-Smit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It grabbed me from the first page. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for the second book to come out... I cried when I couldn't find it