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Paranormal World #1
Mystic Bonds
Mage Amina Langston thought surviving the supernatural apocalypse, which killed fifty percent of humankind and changed most of the surviving population into paranormal beings, were the biggest challenges in her life. That is, until she and her brother go on the run from non-gifted humans who want to steal their magical blood to make a power-giving serum. Now she’s in search of a handsome stranger who keeps appearing in her dreams and a secret paranormal city to help free those still held in captivity for their blood.
During her journey, Amina befriends several other magical beings also searching for the mysterious town, including a sexy were-jackal who distracts her from locating the man of her proverbial dreams. However, when the group finds the city, it’s filled with dangerous magic and a barbaric were-pack. Facing these new troubles, will Amina take down her human pursuers and save the other paranormals she left behind or end up in greater peril?
During her journey, Amina befriends several other magical beings also searching for the mysterious town, including a sexy were-jackal who distracts her from locating the man of her proverbial dreams. However, when the group finds the city, it’s filled with dangerous magic and a barbaric were-pack. Facing these new troubles, will Amina take down her human pursuers and save the other paranormals she left behind or end up in greater peril?
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2019
292 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Solomon
16 books141 followersC.C. is a USA Today Bestselling author originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She has actively written fiction since the age of eleven. She is an avid “chick lit” reader and urban fantasy fan. In 2012, she participated as a writer and actress in the 48 hour film project. In her other life, she works in Equal Employment and Civil Rights for the Federal Government. Before becoming a public servant, C.C. briefly practiced law after graduating from the University of Maryland School of Law. In her free time she is obsessed with travel, horror, anime and K-dramas!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
August 20, 2021
First off, thanks to NetGalley for letting me have a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As for the book, it's the first book in a paranormal series about a woman in our world who finds her life turned upside down when, due to unknown causes, lots of people start showing supernatural traits. Some become werewolves, other mages, or warlocks, witches, fairies, vampires, etc. She herself gains some witchy powers. At the start of the book, we learn that normal humans are trying to capture these supernaturals and use their blood to fabricate a serum that gives them temporary powers.
The book is ok. Characters are a little flat, save for two or three, more developed. The plot is predictable, and has some holes in it. There's no in depth explanation of the event that awakens latent powers in people. Also, the magic system, or power system, lacks complexity and internal logic. Dialogues are typical, and also the romantic parts fall short of expectations. The book is fast paced, though, entertaining with enough action scenes, and leaves you wanting more. Maybe the following instalments are better than this one.
As for the book, it's the first book in a paranormal series about a woman in our world who finds her life turned upside down when, due to unknown causes, lots of people start showing supernatural traits. Some become werewolves, other mages, or warlocks, witches, fairies, vampires, etc. She herself gains some witchy powers. At the start of the book, we learn that normal humans are trying to capture these supernaturals and use their blood to fabricate a serum that gives them temporary powers.
The book is ok. Characters are a little flat, save for two or three, more developed. The plot is predictable, and has some holes in it. There's no in depth explanation of the event that awakens latent powers in people. Also, the magic system, or power system, lacks complexity and internal logic. Dialogues are typical, and also the romantic parts fall short of expectations. The book is fast paced, though, entertaining with enough action scenes, and leaves you wanting more. Maybe the following instalments are better than this one.
August 20, 2021
First off, thanks to NetGalley for letting me have a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As for the book, it's the first book in a paranormal series about a woman in our world who finds her life turned upside down when, due to unknown causes, lots of people start showing supernatural traits. Some become werewolves, other mages, or warlocks, witches, fairies, vampires, etc. She herself gains some witchy powers. At the start of the book, we learn that normal humans are trying to capture these supernaturals and use their blood to fabricate a serum that gives them temporary powers.
The book is ok. Characters are a little flat, save for two or three, more developed. The plot is predictable, and has some holes in it. There's no in depth explanation of the event that awakens latent powers in people. Also, the magic system, or power system, lacks complexity and internal logic. Dialogues are typical, and also the romantic parts fall short of expectations. The book is fast paced, though, entertaining with enough action scenes, and leaves you wanting more. Maybe the following instalments are better than this one.
As for the book, it's the first book in a paranormal series about a woman in our world who finds her life turned upside down when, due to unknown causes, lots of people start showing supernatural traits. Some become werewolves, other mages, or warlocks, witches, fairies, vampires, etc. She herself gains some witchy powers. At the start of the book, we learn that normal humans are trying to capture these supernaturals and use their blood to fabricate a serum that gives them temporary powers.
The book is ok. Characters are a little flat, save for two or three, more developed. The plot is predictable, and has some holes in it. There's no in depth explanation of the event that awakens latent powers in people. Also, the magic system, or power system, lacks complexity and internal logic. Dialogues are typical, and also the romantic parts fall short of expectations. The book is fast paced, though, entertaining with enough action scenes, and leaves you wanting more. Maybe the following instalments are better than this one.
May 5, 2019
The premise of this book was very promising. However the story was lacking for me. While I liked the events that occurred, I would have liked the characters to be more complex better.
I usually tend to love secondary characters but I don’t think there’s ever been a point where I liked them MORE than the mains. Amina just didn’t do it for me. She was crazy naive, knew it, but brushed it off with some excuse. Now I don’t know if the author intended that or not but I didn’t like it. Phillip was just annoying to me. He made it seem like he and Amina were a done deal, no questions asked. Creeper status.
Now give me any other character and this book was better. Charles, Lisa, Erik and Felix were probably the best for me. Especially Erik because he saw reason. He wasn’t a fool and knew what and how things really are.
While Amina was held prisoner for 6 months, it didn’t damper her spirit. While that is a plus, it didn’t do well for her to trust people when she should be questioning them. I really hope her character grows up, especially for her age.
Amina aside, I liked the happenings in the book. You have mysteries surrounding them and you can’t help but wonder what it’s all about. That’s the part that will keep me going!
I usually tend to love secondary characters but I don’t think there’s ever been a point where I liked them MORE than the mains. Amina just didn’t do it for me. She was crazy naive, knew it, but brushed it off with some excuse. Now I don’t know if the author intended that or not but I didn’t like it. Phillip was just annoying to me. He made it seem like he and Amina were a done deal, no questions asked. Creeper status.
Now give me any other character and this book was better. Charles, Lisa, Erik and Felix were probably the best for me. Especially Erik because he saw reason. He wasn’t a fool and knew what and how things really are.
While Amina was held prisoner for 6 months, it didn’t damper her spirit. While that is a plus, it didn’t do well for her to trust people when she should be questioning them. I really hope her character grows up, especially for her age.
Amina aside, I liked the happenings in the book. You have mysteries surrounding them and you can’t help but wonder what it’s all about. That’s the part that will keep me going!
November 22, 2020
2nd edition was a wonderful rewrite! Still very much in love with Amina and crew, but shows CC's talent even more than the first one did. Definitely worth the reread! Well done, CC!
(I received this as an ARC with the agreement that I would submit a review in my own words and without coercion. Here is my review, written in my own words and of my own volition)
Now, here was an interesting take on post-apocalyptic America. Imagine that instead of the world blowing up with a nuclear bomb, or being wiped out by a devastating plague, the world shifts, changing a great many of us into supernatural beings, while leaving another great many as simple humans. Who would take over? Would anyone? Would government reform? Would people just split off into splinter groups, living on their own away from the rest of the world?
Who knows. But here, in Mystic Bonds we get a picture from one author's imagination on how it would go. We follow Amina, her brother Charles, her friends Erik, Faith, Lisa, Felix, Chelsea and her dream invader Phillip from one group to another learning what life could be like in times like this.
The storyline is interesting, world building is deeply explored, the character building grows as the characters grow and the mysteries enough to bring us back for more. I very much enjoyed this story and know I'm going to enjoy the series. Looking forward to Book 2, Mystic Journeys.
(As a bit of a very very mild spoiler, please keep in mind while reading her book that her day job is in Civil Rights for the Federal Govt. Will give needed perspective you will understand as you read.)
Well done, Catherine! Very well done, indeed! UF seems to be your niche!
(I received this as an ARC with the agreement that I would submit a review in my own words and without coercion. Here is my review, written in my own words and of my own volition)
Now, here was an interesting take on post-apocalyptic America. Imagine that instead of the world blowing up with a nuclear bomb, or being wiped out by a devastating plague, the world shifts, changing a great many of us into supernatural beings, while leaving another great many as simple humans. Who would take over? Would anyone? Would government reform? Would people just split off into splinter groups, living on their own away from the rest of the world?
Who knows. But here, in Mystic Bonds we get a picture from one author's imagination on how it would go. We follow Amina, her brother Charles, her friends Erik, Faith, Lisa, Felix, Chelsea and her dream invader Phillip from one group to another learning what life could be like in times like this.
The storyline is interesting, world building is deeply explored, the character building grows as the characters grow and the mysteries enough to bring us back for more. I very much enjoyed this story and know I'm going to enjoy the series. Looking forward to Book 2, Mystic Journeys.
(As a bit of a very very mild spoiler, please keep in mind while reading her book that her day job is in Civil Rights for the Federal Govt. Will give needed perspective you will understand as you read.)
Well done, Catherine! Very well done, indeed! UF seems to be your niche!
December 3, 2020
Awesome
I loved this story. I love how the author was inclusive to all. This was awesome and I can't wait to see what's next
I loved this story. I love how the author was inclusive to all. This was awesome and I can't wait to see what's next
April 4, 2019
A good idea very poorly executed. Reads like a first draft desperately in need of a serious edit.
March 5, 2019
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I feel like I have to re-read this book to really get it. I didn’t hate the book, but I also was not in love with it. I found the premise hard to accept. SPOILERS--so preternatural beings are born via a viral apocalypse and ‘regular’ humans have found a way to imprison them (a supernatural suppressing serum) and use their blood to become powerful; thereby giving them the ability to keep them imprisoned? Even with vampires…Not sure if I buy that at all. As far as the serums go (and this is maybe something I may have missed while reading), I do not understand why the blood from a preternatural being could be manipulated into making a human stronger than the preternatural it came from. And as supernaturals can share their energy, what’s the reasoning behind the serum or even why was there a conflict?
I also felt the protagonist was a little juvenile and ridiculously naïve for someone who has been a witch for as long as she has. She didn’t know she could do the things she did until she did them, which I can understand. What I did not understand is why discovery is still taking place after 9 years. She can move the earth out of convenience until she couldn’t, and then realized ‘hey I can manipulate humans.’ There was much of this happening in the book. Everyone knows how powerful she is for whatever reason except her. Having said that, many troubles were resolved with magic, for example; turning rotten food into edible food, knowing what time it is, and cleaning a house. Want to block out eavesdroppers? Just use a spell. Magic became a matter of convenience to resolve any situation.
There is a lot of repetition. By the 10th chapter, the reader will definitely understand there was a supernatural apocalypse and ‘mi corazon’ became a bummer. Hope not to see that for a long time. Even in the final chapter, the reader is told that ‘In the pre-world….’ We get it. No need to beat us over the head with it.
I found myself skipping entire paragraphs but I don’t feel I’ve missed anything. Again, I may read this book again to pick up on anything I’ve missed because of the quick read. If you're into fantasy, it is worth a try.
I feel like I have to re-read this book to really get it. I didn’t hate the book, but I also was not in love with it. I found the premise hard to accept. SPOILERS--so preternatural beings are born via a viral apocalypse and ‘regular’ humans have found a way to imprison them (a supernatural suppressing serum) and use their blood to become powerful; thereby giving them the ability to keep them imprisoned? Even with vampires…Not sure if I buy that at all. As far as the serums go (and this is maybe something I may have missed while reading), I do not understand why the blood from a preternatural being could be manipulated into making a human stronger than the preternatural it came from. And as supernaturals can share their energy, what’s the reasoning behind the serum or even why was there a conflict?
I also felt the protagonist was a little juvenile and ridiculously naïve for someone who has been a witch for as long as she has. She didn’t know she could do the things she did until she did them, which I can understand. What I did not understand is why discovery is still taking place after 9 years. She can move the earth out of convenience until she couldn’t, and then realized ‘hey I can manipulate humans.’ There was much of this happening in the book. Everyone knows how powerful she is for whatever reason except her. Having said that, many troubles were resolved with magic, for example; turning rotten food into edible food, knowing what time it is, and cleaning a house. Want to block out eavesdroppers? Just use a spell. Magic became a matter of convenience to resolve any situation.
There is a lot of repetition. By the 10th chapter, the reader will definitely understand there was a supernatural apocalypse and ‘mi corazon’ became a bummer. Hope not to see that for a long time. Even in the final chapter, the reader is told that ‘In the pre-world….’ We get it. No need to beat us over the head with it.
I found myself skipping entire paragraphs but I don’t feel I’ve missed anything. Again, I may read this book again to pick up on anything I’ve missed because of the quick read. If you're into fantasy, it is worth a try.
May 1, 2019
The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which some humans were infected by a terrible disease and died, some changed into different kinds of magical beings and some were immune and remained the same. Everyday life became a struggle for survival. Some parts of the story reminded me of the Kate Daniel’s universe, where magic took over and messed up technology; other parts remind me of the Walking Dead, in which survivors have to scavenge and rummage through abandoned houses and stores to obtain basic everyday necessities like food, toothpaste and shoes.
The main character is Amina, a former law student who became a Mage. She is powerful but still getting acquainted with her abilities when she and her brother are captured by humans, who were not changed by the magical apocalypse. Amina and her brother spend some time in captivity but manage to flee the facility where they were kept. That’s when their adventure really takes off.
She convinces her brother to look for a supposed safe haven where a handsome stranger who appeared in her dreams awaits. On their way there they meet other magical beings who join them in their quest. When they finally find the place, all is not what it seems and romance comes from unexpected places.
C.C. Solomon is an amazing story teller and I thoroughly enjoyed following Amina in her adventures. There was a little snag at the end of the book which I hope will be resolved in the next installment – sorry, not giving away any spoilers. I’m definitely coming back for more and am seriously looking forward to the next book.
The main character is Amina, a former law student who became a Mage. She is powerful but still getting acquainted with her abilities when she and her brother are captured by humans, who were not changed by the magical apocalypse. Amina and her brother spend some time in captivity but manage to flee the facility where they were kept. That’s when their adventure really takes off.
She convinces her brother to look for a supposed safe haven where a handsome stranger who appeared in her dreams awaits. On their way there they meet other magical beings who join them in their quest. When they finally find the place, all is not what it seems and romance comes from unexpected places.
C.C. Solomon is an amazing story teller and I thoroughly enjoyed following Amina in her adventures. There was a little snag at the end of the book which I hope will be resolved in the next installment – sorry, not giving away any spoilers. I’m definitely coming back for more and am seriously looking forward to the next book.
March 10, 2019
What an interesting story line, as the story progresses the characters are fully developed as is the world in which they live in. It had just enough intrigue to keep you reading and turning the pages and looking forward to the next book. Each character was unique in their own way and I'm looking forward to the next book to see what will happen next.
October 27, 2021
ARC from NetGalley
DNF @30%
I told myself last night that if this book didn't grab me by the time I had to go to bed, I was done, and here we are.
The beginning has a preface which explains why the author redid this book. She wanted to correct any grammar issues, typos, and stylistic concerns. She talked about how she believes she's a better writer now and owes it to the readers and her MC. She references how Neil Gaimen redid American Gods.
Ahem
Anyways, this book is not gripping. The MC is really bland and boring. It's supposed to be a paranormal fantasy, but it reads more like a superhero story, perhaps because of how often the MCs brother calls her superhero names. There is reference to fae and vampires and werewolves, but I didn't really see any of that in the first third of the book unless you count things like "this is Jane, and she is fae." The MCs brother also has very superhero-ish powers, and the MC herself seems to have some kind of immeasurable godly powers because she is the MC and also perhaps a bit of a MS if you're picking up what I'm putting down.
Anyhoodle. It was boring. I didn't care about any of the characters. There was no growth or development in the first third of the book. The setting was barely described, or if it was, it was done in such a way that I immediately forgot it. I certainly wasn't immersed in the world. It felt grey and bland and empty. The author is trying to keep us on our toes, withholding information to keep things mysterious, trying to play it coy, but it just makes it boring because we aren't given enough information to actually GAF, there's nothing on which to gain traction, there's no rope with which to pull us in.
meh.
DNF @30%
I told myself last night that if this book didn't grab me by the time I had to go to bed, I was done, and here we are.
The beginning has a preface which explains why the author redid this book. She wanted to correct any grammar issues, typos, and stylistic concerns. She talked about how she believes she's a better writer now and owes it to the readers and her MC. She references how Neil Gaimen redid American Gods.
Ahem
Anyways, this book is not gripping. The MC is really bland and boring. It's supposed to be a paranormal fantasy, but it reads more like a superhero story, perhaps because of how often the MCs brother calls her superhero names. There is reference to fae and vampires and werewolves, but I didn't really see any of that in the first third of the book unless you count things like "this is Jane, and she is fae." The MCs brother also has very superhero-ish powers, and the MC herself seems to have some kind of immeasurable godly powers because she is the MC and also perhaps a bit of a MS if you're picking up what I'm putting down.
Anyhoodle. It was boring. I didn't care about any of the characters. There was no growth or development in the first third of the book. The setting was barely described, or if it was, it was done in such a way that I immediately forgot it. I certainly wasn't immersed in the world. It felt grey and bland and empty. The author is trying to keep us on our toes, withholding information to keep things mysterious, trying to play it coy, but it just makes it boring because we aren't given enough information to actually GAF, there's nothing on which to gain traction, there's no rope with which to pull us in.
meh.
October 28, 2021
Mystic Bonds held my attention and I enjoyed it enough that I might read the sequel, but I felt the pacing of the story too fast here and there, and the lack of world building in some areas worked against it. You know how when you're watching a film and the characters are doing something that should be obvious to them, isn't? So you, as the viewer, are screaming at the screen for them to notice that obvious thing... Well, it felt a little like that. LOL.
It did have its moments, some of the supporting character are very likable. If you're looking for something fun and fast paced, this is for you.
It did have its moments, some of the supporting character are very likable. If you're looking for something fun and fast paced, this is for you.
July 11, 2019
She thought it would all be alright after the supernatural apocalypse, but she is now on the run as people without powers want her blood so they can gain her powers. There is a stranger who appears in her dreams. Who is he? What is going to happen? Follow her adventures
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.
March 13, 2019
Loved it. Apocalypse paranormal adventure. Amina thought surviving and changing the paranormal apocalypse was bad. Now she and her brother are running from the surviving humans that didn’t change
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.
Want to read
March 9, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/9/2020)! 🎁
March 1, 2021
I loved this book. It was a great read and one of those stories I've been wanting to read since I was a kid. The ending happened a bit fast to me, but didn't detract from the book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
February 14, 2021
This book has been low-key pinging on my radar for ages, or so it feels. It was published almost two years ago, and the cover’s been popping up here and there ever since. I even tried reading it once a while back, but I wasn’t in the right mood, and something else came up and caught my interest.
This time, though, the stars aligned, and I got into it.
By the series title, I expected this to be a paranormal romance, and while there’s definitely a romantic element (and a paranormal one), I’m not sure it’s purely PNR. Rather, I’d describe it as dystopian fantasy.
The world’s gone to shit, half of humanity has died in the sickness, and two thirds of those who remain have gained paranormal powers or turned into monsters. It’s a royal mess, but here and there, people have managed to carve out little enclaves of relative safety and normalcy.
Now, I have to admit I’ve not read much in the way of dystopian fiction, so I don’t know if this is common for the genre or not, but I quite liked it. For me, it was new and interesting, and it gave rise to a whole lot of new questions and ideas. This is a setting I’d like to explore further.
I’m not sure it’s all about the setting, though…
At the start of the book, I found a preface which explained why the author had decided to release a second, revised, edition (basically, to make justice to the main character, but a bit more elaborate).
This really resonated with me (and not just because I’m revising my own books at the moment). I feel like this says a lot about the author’s attitude to her stories, her characters, and her readers, and it speaks well for the rest of the series.
Anyway, to tie this in with the story…
After nine years of living in the post-normal world, Amina isn’t some rookie pushover. She has her powers, and she knows how to use them, but at the same time, she’s still not explored the full extent of her abilities, and she has a lot left to learn.
She’s uncertain, full of doubts and suspicions, and she doesn’t always make the most rational decisions, like people do. I believe that this, together with the setting, is what really gave the story its vibe. It’s not just a new world to explore, there’s also an intriguing character to explore the world with.
Sure, I don’t always agree with Amina’s priorities, but that’s what you get with people. She probably wouldn’t agree with mine either.
WHAT I’LL WHINE ABOUT:
In the first third of the book, there are a lot of explanations about the various aspects of the new world. It’s not quite what I’d call info-dumps because they sort of fit with the narrative. It’s more that there’s a lot of them, and I feel like a lot of it would have been fun to piece together on my own.
There are sometimes a lot of names at once, and I was not always able to keep track of who was who.
WHAT I’LL GUSH ABOUT:
The world building. As I mentioned above, I really enjoyed the setting, and I’d like to enjoy more.
The conflicts. There’s a definite distrust between normals and paranormals in the world – humans without powers, and those with. Neither side trusts the other, but for quit similar reasons. This rang true with me as it speaks to a lot of real-world disconnects that can be traced back to bad communication, preconceived notions, and cultural differences. There’s more than one case of the many being judged by the actions of the few.
FINAL WORDS:
This is a solid, well-written dystopian fantasy with a romance element. I’ve not read enough in the genre to compare it to other books of the same kind, but I know that I enjoyed it.
This time, though, the stars aligned, and I got into it.
By the series title, I expected this to be a paranormal romance, and while there’s definitely a romantic element (and a paranormal one), I’m not sure it’s purely PNR. Rather, I’d describe it as dystopian fantasy.
The world’s gone to shit, half of humanity has died in the sickness, and two thirds of those who remain have gained paranormal powers or turned into monsters. It’s a royal mess, but here and there, people have managed to carve out little enclaves of relative safety and normalcy.
Now, I have to admit I’ve not read much in the way of dystopian fiction, so I don’t know if this is common for the genre or not, but I quite liked it. For me, it was new and interesting, and it gave rise to a whole lot of new questions and ideas. This is a setting I’d like to explore further.
I’m not sure it’s all about the setting, though…
At the start of the book, I found a preface which explained why the author had decided to release a second, revised, edition (basically, to make justice to the main character, but a bit more elaborate).
This really resonated with me (and not just because I’m revising my own books at the moment). I feel like this says a lot about the author’s attitude to her stories, her characters, and her readers, and it speaks well for the rest of the series.
Anyway, to tie this in with the story…
After nine years of living in the post-normal world, Amina isn’t some rookie pushover. She has her powers, and she knows how to use them, but at the same time, she’s still not explored the full extent of her abilities, and she has a lot left to learn.
She’s uncertain, full of doubts and suspicions, and she doesn’t always make the most rational decisions, like people do. I believe that this, together with the setting, is what really gave the story its vibe. It’s not just a new world to explore, there’s also an intriguing character to explore the world with.
Sure, I don’t always agree with Amina’s priorities, but that’s what you get with people. She probably wouldn’t agree with mine either.
WHAT I’LL WHINE ABOUT:
In the first third of the book, there are a lot of explanations about the various aspects of the new world. It’s not quite what I’d call info-dumps because they sort of fit with the narrative. It’s more that there’s a lot of them, and I feel like a lot of it would have been fun to piece together on my own.
There are sometimes a lot of names at once, and I was not always able to keep track of who was who.
WHAT I’LL GUSH ABOUT:
The world building. As I mentioned above, I really enjoyed the setting, and I’d like to enjoy more.
The conflicts. There’s a definite distrust between normals and paranormals in the world – humans without powers, and those with. Neither side trusts the other, but for quit similar reasons. This rang true with me as it speaks to a lot of real-world disconnects that can be traced back to bad communication, preconceived notions, and cultural differences. There’s more than one case of the many being judged by the actions of the few.
FINAL WORDS:
This is a solid, well-written dystopian fantasy with a romance element. I’ve not read enough in the genre to compare it to other books of the same kind, but I know that I enjoyed it.
April 13, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Explicit content: Violence, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, death
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
I read a lot of books with potential but weak execution, and this is a typical example. You have an interesting premise with an excuse to go full fantasy-kitchen-sink, but nothing's really done with it. There's no attempt to explain what happened or why the world is the way it is, or any real internal logic (turns out there's fairies and trolls and all that stuff, but also angels and literal hell - and no one thinks this is remarkable).
Aside from a world, in a story, you also either need a strong plot, or strong characters, and this novel has neither. Plot-wise, it's just a lot of waffling as our characters float from one town to another without any real purpose. They kinda wanna save their friends, but take their sweet time. They kinda feel like they need to go to the town they see in their dreams, but don't really know why. They kinda want revenge on the villain, but after he gets sent to literal hell (?!) they just forget about him, until he pops up again, like every bad slasher villain ever. Any time something bad happens, either our MC pulls new powers out of her butt, or someone else swoops in to save the day, rinse and repeat.
Similarly, the characters are fairly bland and one-dimensional. Our main character knows almost nothing about her own powers, despite having had them for 9 years when the story opens. Similarly, she learns absolutely no lessons about risking herself to help strangers, despite doing so leading to the kidnapping and captivity of herself and her brother for six long months. She's just naive and trusting to a fault. The other characters are similarly one-note. Erik is big and gruff and protective (i.e. every were-creature ever). Her brother is...there, sometimes (I'm not sure he even gets to legit use his powers a single time). The girly girl is girly. The bartender is...also there. Felix is a gentle giant. And Philip is a psycho. Seriously, there's supposed to be a love triangle, but there's absolutely no competition. Erik is a big tough hot-but-gentle guy who actually talks about his feelings like a mature adult. Philip controls peoples minds for the greater good and...psychically makes normal humans commit suicide? Traps the main character in solitary confinement for a week? Chops off a rule-breaker's hand? But he's supposed to be a good guy at heart, just misunderstood. Eye roll. I also get the nasty feeling he's this triangle's "winner" - like Erik is going to sacrifice himself for them, or something. Ick.
All that said, the writing style to this isn't terrible. There's nothing particularly offensive or irritating. It's just a bland, paranormal fantasy read. Nothing really to hate, but nothing really to love, either.
Explicit content: Violence, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, death
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
I read a lot of books with potential but weak execution, and this is a typical example. You have an interesting premise with an excuse to go full fantasy-kitchen-sink, but nothing's really done with it. There's no attempt to explain what happened or why the world is the way it is, or any real internal logic (turns out there's fairies and trolls and all that stuff, but also angels and literal hell - and no one thinks this is remarkable).
Aside from a world, in a story, you also either need a strong plot, or strong characters, and this novel has neither. Plot-wise, it's just a lot of waffling as our characters float from one town to another without any real purpose. They kinda wanna save their friends, but take their sweet time. They kinda feel like they need to go to the town they see in their dreams, but don't really know why. They kinda want revenge on the villain, but after he gets sent to literal hell (?!) they just forget about him, until he pops up again, like every bad slasher villain ever. Any time something bad happens, either our MC pulls new powers out of her butt, or someone else swoops in to save the day, rinse and repeat.
Similarly, the characters are fairly bland and one-dimensional. Our main character knows almost nothing about her own powers, despite having had them for 9 years when the story opens. Similarly, she learns absolutely no lessons about risking herself to help strangers, despite doing so leading to the kidnapping and captivity of herself and her brother for six long months. She's just naive and trusting to a fault. The other characters are similarly one-note. Erik is big and gruff and protective (i.e. every were-creature ever). Her brother is...there, sometimes (I'm not sure he even gets to legit use his powers a single time). The girly girl is girly. The bartender is...also there. Felix is a gentle giant. And Philip is a psycho. Seriously, there's supposed to be a love triangle, but there's absolutely no competition. Erik is a big tough hot-but-gentle guy who actually talks about his feelings like a mature adult. Philip controls peoples minds for the greater good and...psychically makes normal humans commit suicide? Traps the main character in solitary confinement for a week? Chops off a rule-breaker's hand? But he's supposed to be a good guy at heart, just misunderstood. Eye roll. I also get the nasty feeling he's this triangle's "winner" - like Erik is going to sacrifice himself for them, or something. Ick.
All that said, the writing style to this isn't terrible. There's nothing particularly offensive or irritating. It's just a bland, paranormal fantasy read. Nothing really to hate, but nothing really to love, either.
March 29, 2019
In a post apocalyptic word where small groups live in walked enclaves: conflict exists between normal humans and those with powers.
When we first meet Amina she and her friends live in a prison run by a sadistic human who uses their blood to make a serum conferring powers on humans.
She escapes, but has to leave her friends behind . On her journey to find help and the handsome man she keeps seeing in a dream she meets other people (always one man and one woman oddly) also dreaming of safety. Together they form a group of 6 that a prophet tells her will be the deciding force when a great evil enters the world.
This one was not to my taste. I am not a fan of Ill defined broad powers or magic system with no rules. Amina is a witch, but doesn’t do spells although paragraphs are devoted to explaining witch vs mage etc via info dump. Also her brother is described as a tech mage able to control electricity but also stop bullets (telekinesis?)
I also wasn’t happy with the meandering plot. She wants to save her friends but will “try out” a new city for a month? The prophet Anna Mae tells them important info and shows strong powers but completely disappears from the story in the last part of the book when Amina’s friends face trouble from the city’s were pack?
Amina is imprisoned and then let go because the head guy feels sorry for her?
For me this fell into the double trap of an ok defined problem for the main character coupled with too broad powers that seemed to be quite capable of major damage to their enemies but never deployed. Probably won’t be following along to the next book despite the major cliffhanger and surprise return of someone we thought gone forever at the end of the book.
When we first meet Amina she and her friends live in a prison run by a sadistic human who uses their blood to make a serum conferring powers on humans.
She escapes, but has to leave her friends behind . On her journey to find help and the handsome man she keeps seeing in a dream she meets other people (always one man and one woman oddly) also dreaming of safety. Together they form a group of 6 that a prophet tells her will be the deciding force when a great evil enters the world.
This one was not to my taste. I am not a fan of Ill defined broad powers or magic system with no rules. Amina is a witch, but doesn’t do spells although paragraphs are devoted to explaining witch vs mage etc via info dump. Also her brother is described as a tech mage able to control electricity but also stop bullets (telekinesis?)
I also wasn’t happy with the meandering plot. She wants to save her friends but will “try out” a new city for a month? The prophet Anna Mae tells them important info and shows strong powers but completely disappears from the story in the last part of the book when Amina’s friends face trouble from the city’s were pack?
Amina is imprisoned and then let go because the head guy feels sorry for her?
For me this fell into the double trap of an ok defined problem for the main character coupled with too broad powers that seemed to be quite capable of major damage to their enemies but never deployed. Probably won’t be following along to the next book despite the major cliffhanger and surprise return of someone we thought gone forever at the end of the book.
August 6, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Mystic Bonds by CC Solomon is an urban fantasy novel that the author has rewritten to improve on the original version. The story revolves around Amina, who is a strong female protagonist. She has gone through the apocalypse, in which half of the human population perished. Now, Amina and her brother, who are both supernatural creatures, are on the run from humans who want to steal their magical blood.
Here is an interesting excerpt from the Prologue:
"Years of doing bartering in different towns, and this was the first time we'd encountered a village of only children. Well, they weren't all kids. The eldest were perhaps in their late teens. Not even old enough to drink. And apparently, they were kicked out of the town once they turned twenty-two. Ever since the world became a magical nightmare, us survivors were pretty low on trust. It was no surprise a pool of children, a little under one hundred of them, had decided to come together and form their own more civilized Lord of the Flies."
Overall, Mystic Bonds is an urban fantasy that doesn't live up to its intriguing premise. After reading the synopsis, I was so excited to start reading. Unfortunately, even midway through the book, the plot was still going through what was described in the synopsis. I lost interest about halfway through. Personally, I'm also not a fan of post-apocalyptic books. I'm sure many readers won't mind that though. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of fantasy books in general, you can check out this book, which is available now!
Mystic Bonds by CC Solomon is an urban fantasy novel that the author has rewritten to improve on the original version. The story revolves around Amina, who is a strong female protagonist. She has gone through the apocalypse, in which half of the human population perished. Now, Amina and her brother, who are both supernatural creatures, are on the run from humans who want to steal their magical blood.
Here is an interesting excerpt from the Prologue:
"Years of doing bartering in different towns, and this was the first time we'd encountered a village of only children. Well, they weren't all kids. The eldest were perhaps in their late teens. Not even old enough to drink. And apparently, they were kicked out of the town once they turned twenty-two. Ever since the world became a magical nightmare, us survivors were pretty low on trust. It was no surprise a pool of children, a little under one hundred of them, had decided to come together and form their own more civilized Lord of the Flies."
Overall, Mystic Bonds is an urban fantasy that doesn't live up to its intriguing premise. After reading the synopsis, I was so excited to start reading. Unfortunately, even midway through the book, the plot was still going through what was described in the synopsis. I lost interest about halfway through. Personally, I'm also not a fan of post-apocalyptic books. I'm sure many readers won't mind that though. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of fantasy books in general, you can check out this book, which is available now!
March 30, 2021
I was gifted a copy of the audible version by the author. Note that I don’t generally review books other than saying I liked it (or didn’t) but I think the least I can do is be honest and let her know that I appreciate it. I’ll also be reading the second volume to see how much (or how little) Amina grows. I’m trying to be cryptic and not give out spoilers but just in case, I’ve marked it ‘with spoilers’.
The premise was good but I don’t read this genre much so there were some things I needed to catch up on, i.e. ‘wards’. I’m guessing that most folks who pick this up will have read this genre before and be a bit more knowledgeable about the happenings and terms.
Amina is way too naive for her to have been going through these world ‘changes’ for the last 9 years. C’mon girl, get a grip, show some moxie, get some distrust! After being locked up and drugged for a full 6 months, you should have a pretty healthy dose of skepticism about people and the world around you!
Initially, I didn’t like Lisa, but she grew on me. Faith and Felix were true friends. Charles was a cut-up and a breath of fresh air, especially after me watching Amina act like a pubescent 15 year old. Obviously, we’ll all hate David...
Her scenes with Phillip were reminiscent of Stephen King’s “The Stand” or Robert McCammon’s “Swan Song”. (not to worry CC, I loved both those books👍🏾, so this is a good comparison).
Thank goodness for Eric, he brought some common sense to the group...well, except for that one time....
The premise was good but I don’t read this genre much so there were some things I needed to catch up on, i.e. ‘wards’. I’m guessing that most folks who pick this up will have read this genre before and be a bit more knowledgeable about the happenings and terms.
Amina is way too naive for her to have been going through these world ‘changes’ for the last 9 years. C’mon girl, get a grip, show some moxie, get some distrust! After being locked up and drugged for a full 6 months, you should have a pretty healthy dose of skepticism about people and the world around you!
Initially, I didn’t like Lisa, but she grew on me. Faith and Felix were true friends. Charles was a cut-up and a breath of fresh air, especially after me watching Amina act like a pubescent 15 year old. Obviously, we’ll all hate David...
Her scenes with Phillip were reminiscent of Stephen King’s “The Stand” or Robert McCammon’s “Swan Song”. (not to worry CC, I loved both those books👍🏾, so this is a good comparison).
Thank goodness for Eric, he brought some common sense to the group...well, except for that one time....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2024
In this first installment of a paranormal series, the narrative unfolds in our world, where a woman's life takes a drastic turn as people begin exhibiting supernatural traits for unknown reasons. The emergence of werewolves, mages, warlocks, witches, fairies, vampires, and more accompanies her newfound witchy powers. However, the story reveals that normal humans seek to capture these supernaturals for their blood, intending to create a serum granting temporary powers.
While the book is passable, some characters come across as flat, with only two or three receiving more thorough development. The plot follows predictable lines, featuring noticeable gaps, and lacks a detailed explanation for the event triggering latent powers. The magic system lacks complexity and internal logic, and both dialogues and romantic elements fall short of expectations. Despite these shortcomings, the book maintains a brisk pace, offering entertainment through action scenes and leaving readers intrigued for potential improvements in subsequent installments.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review was originally posted on Storied Conversation
While the book is passable, some characters come across as flat, with only two or three receiving more thorough development. The plot follows predictable lines, featuring noticeable gaps, and lacks a detailed explanation for the event triggering latent powers. The magic system lacks complexity and internal logic, and both dialogues and romantic elements fall short of expectations. Despite these shortcomings, the book maintains a brisk pace, offering entertainment through action scenes and leaving readers intrigued for potential improvements in subsequent installments.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review was originally posted on Storied Conversation
March 8, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed a lot about this book. The characters were diverse in ethnicity and personality, the newly established magical world is awesome with endless possibilities and the book cover is incredible. The story is just my cup of tea: supernaturals trying to survive in a dystopian, magical world that was once the world we live in today. Also, the love triangle is a great inclusion. Awesome stuff.
But there were a few fairly large issues that were difficult to ignore. The imagery was a little lacking which made it hard to really picture the scenes in all their glory. The motivations of the antagonist are a little confusing, as he wants Amina for her power but also wants her sexually and by the climax, it seems as though he just wants to toy with her rather than use her to further his cause. Lastly, the passage of time is a little strange. Sometimes a whole week or month will go by with absolutely nothing happening in it and while maybe some reference is made to what people did but it's mostly run-of-the-mill going to work etc., it doesn't include any character or story development.
I liked this book and intend to read the sequel, but I hope book two is a little more focused.
I enjoyed a lot about this book. The characters were diverse in ethnicity and personality, the newly established magical world is awesome with endless possibilities and the book cover is incredible. The story is just my cup of tea: supernaturals trying to survive in a dystopian, magical world that was once the world we live in today. Also, the love triangle is a great inclusion. Awesome stuff.
But there were a few fairly large issues that were difficult to ignore. The imagery was a little lacking which made it hard to really picture the scenes in all their glory. The motivations of the antagonist are a little confusing, as he wants Amina for her power but also wants her sexually and by the climax, it seems as though he just wants to toy with her rather than use her to further his cause. Lastly, the passage of time is a little strange. Sometimes a whole week or month will go by with absolutely nothing happening in it and while maybe some reference is made to what people did but it's mostly run-of-the-mill going to work etc., it doesn't include any character or story development.
I liked this book and intend to read the sequel, but I hope book two is a little more focused.
December 9, 2022
Meh. It was just okay. [2.5] I liked the premise behind the story. A little bit of world building. Character descriptions. I considered continuing the story in hope of the premise giving me what i enjoyed about the story, but it seems headed down the path that I wasn’t enjoying. Sad day…
I’m an immersive reader. I want to be invested. I want to the action to get my adrenaline up. I want the spice of magic to coat my tongue (and i want to know the rules). I want to know what caused the event and I want to know the devastation of it.
This was an okay story line for my tastes. There were errors that should have been caught with the use of an editor. (For example, his shirt was off when he answered the door but back on when he went to the bedroom… he don’t have that kind of magic?) I wanted the impact of the cultural diversities to rock me and I wanted to hear some differences in the character’s voices and language used.
I went into this story with no expectations. I enjoyed the creative moments, but felt a little disappointed in some places. Wanted to try again, but this series doesn’t seem headed in the direction that I was hoping for… Maybe i will try something else the author has written. This storyline just ain’t it for me.
I’m an immersive reader. I want to be invested. I want to the action to get my adrenaline up. I want the spice of magic to coat my tongue (and i want to know the rules). I want to know what caused the event and I want to know the devastation of it.
This was an okay story line for my tastes. There were errors that should have been caught with the use of an editor. (For example, his shirt was off when he answered the door but back on when he went to the bedroom… he don’t have that kind of magic?) I wanted the impact of the cultural diversities to rock me and I wanted to hear some differences in the character’s voices and language used.
I went into this story with no expectations. I enjoyed the creative moments, but felt a little disappointed in some places. Wanted to try again, but this series doesn’t seem headed in the direction that I was hoping for… Maybe i will try something else the author has written. This storyline just ain’t it for me.
March 8, 2019
I'll start off with what I liked.
The world building, while in need of patching of some holes, was very interesting and immersive. I was engaged and wanted to know more.
What I didn't like.
Actually, this is the most common of problems in most of the new authors I've read recently. Characters have no individualism, they are indistinguishable from a hundred others I've read. And even that would be ok except that I found the author's voice a little on a droning side. Too much telling and not enough showing.
I'm not quite sure if this is a debut book or not. I kind of feels like it.
It has promise and a lot of potential but the author hasn't found her voice yet. Sometimes that's true of authors just beginning a series and the problem fixes itself as characters and the world take on a life of their own in future books.
Some of my favourite series started with a book just like this one - with just enough of the good stuff to keep me checking back, only to eventually make me fall in love with their newfound and unique voce.
I'm hoping CC Solomon will be one of those.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The world building, while in need of patching of some holes, was very interesting and immersive. I was engaged and wanted to know more.
What I didn't like.
Actually, this is the most common of problems in most of the new authors I've read recently. Characters have no individualism, they are indistinguishable from a hundred others I've read. And even that would be ok except that I found the author's voice a little on a droning side. Too much telling and not enough showing.
I'm not quite sure if this is a debut book or not. I kind of feels like it.
It has promise and a lot of potential but the author hasn't found her voice yet. Sometimes that's true of authors just beginning a series and the problem fixes itself as characters and the world take on a life of their own in future books.
Some of my favourite series started with a book just like this one - with just enough of the good stuff to keep me checking back, only to eventually make me fall in love with their newfound and unique voce.
I'm hoping CC Solomon will be one of those.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2019
I knew when I read the synopsis this book would be good and it didn’t disappoint. I absolutely love that it’s paranormal in a very different way. I love that the world went through a change and their powers submerged. I love that you he Paranormal creatures were the good guys and the humans were the bad guys for a change. I love that a brother and sister has a bond so close, that they would never leave the other. I love that love and friendship between 6 paranormal's were strong. I love how the storyline played out.
Paranormal's being kept in a hospital type prison and being drained of their blood to make a serum to give humans super powers. Amina and Charles managed to escape and leave friends behind, swearing that they would return for them as soon as then can get help. Amina was having a man talk with her in her dreams and she had to find him to get help to free their friends. They ended up in a paranormal only town and everything changed from there on.
This was a thriller, mystery, action and a little romance all rolled up into paranormal, brilliant! I can’t wait for book 2!
Paranormal's being kept in a hospital type prison and being drained of their blood to make a serum to give humans super powers. Amina and Charles managed to escape and leave friends behind, swearing that they would return for them as soon as then can get help. Amina was having a man talk with her in her dreams and she had to find him to get help to free their friends. They ended up in a paranormal only town and everything changed from there on.
This was a thriller, mystery, action and a little romance all rolled up into paranormal, brilliant! I can’t wait for book 2!
November 15, 2020
When the book begins we are introduced to Amenia and her brother Charles saving the day and getting captured while surviving the 9 years after start of the apocalypse. The reason they are taken because they are actually magical and not everyone has that gift. The story from there branches out onto what to do next and who can actually help with their quest to save their friends. Along the way they meet other supernaturals that are all drawn together in a way to help that they become like family.
The interesting part about the book is all the supernaturals that exist in the story. The inclusion of werejackal, fariy, and a siren is a nice change for supernatural stories. The theme in this book is a struggle to find one's place. Humans struggle with no longer being top of the food change. Supernaturals struggle with the other. There are parts that feel like they drag and others where I want to know what happens to this person or why this decision was made. Overall, I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
The interesting part about the book is all the supernaturals that exist in the story. The inclusion of werejackal, fariy, and a siren is a nice change for supernatural stories. The theme in this book is a struggle to find one's place. Humans struggle with no longer being top of the food change. Supernaturals struggle with the other. There are parts that feel like they drag and others where I want to know what happens to this person or why this decision was made. Overall, I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 31, 2023
Don’t be certain about anything post-apoc
Once touched by mass devastation and ruin, people and things aren’t what they seem. Whether some receive supernatural Gifts, others merely pick themselves up by the bootstraps, or dormant genetics kick in - the new reality is a complete game-changer unto itself.
Once we muggles admit that ‘…there was always magic and the supernatural in the world before The Event’, we can then begin proper preparations.
A few philosophical phrases get thrown around throughout. IMHO, these are not new bits of information. We do not need to be living in a post-apocalyptic world for this mentality to apply. Otherwise, we’d be in anarchy!
‘It’s rule or be ruled.’
‘Demand respect, or be overrun.’
‘You break the rules, you get broken.’
One of the characters described behaviors and plans ‘if we are to become the nation we once were’.
But should we go back? Why not create a better normal, now given the chance?
I’m certainly ready to continue on with Amina’s ‘Mystic Journeys’ – are you?
Once touched by mass devastation and ruin, people and things aren’t what they seem. Whether some receive supernatural Gifts, others merely pick themselves up by the bootstraps, or dormant genetics kick in - the new reality is a complete game-changer unto itself.
Once we muggles admit that ‘…there was always magic and the supernatural in the world before The Event’, we can then begin proper preparations.
A few philosophical phrases get thrown around throughout. IMHO, these are not new bits of information. We do not need to be living in a post-apocalyptic world for this mentality to apply. Otherwise, we’d be in anarchy!
‘It’s rule or be ruled.’
‘Demand respect, or be overrun.’
‘You break the rules, you get broken.’
One of the characters described behaviors and plans ‘if we are to become the nation we once were’.
But should we go back? Why not create a better normal, now given the chance?
I’m certainly ready to continue on with Amina’s ‘Mystic Journeys’ – are you?
Read
November 16, 2020CC Solomon's Mystic Bonds is the first book of her Paranormal World series. It introduces an alternate universe where the Event unleashes latent paranormal abilities in a percentage of humans and kills millions of others through disease. Mina and her brother Charles are supernaturals that are struggling to make their way in the world. They are captured and held as slaves by the pesky humans. Thought they are able to escape, they are forced to leave friend behind. Heading out into the world yet again, they look for allies to help them free their friends and stop the humans from causing more pain.
This is a fun and quick read. I found the worldbuilding similar to Nora Roberts' Chronicles of the One series. Mina and Charles are a hilarious pair. Erik's grumpy foil to Mina's endless optimism moved the story along adequately. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of paranormal/urban fantasy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a fun and quick read. I found the worldbuilding similar to Nora Roberts' Chronicles of the One series. Mina and Charles are a hilarious pair. Erik's grumpy foil to Mina's endless optimism moved the story along adequately. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of paranormal/urban fantasy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2023
While I did enjoy the book for the most part, there were some continuity errors that bothered the hell out of me. Early in the book, Mina escaped from a hospital near Erie. They drove 2 hours at a slow pace to Pittsburgh (which left off the H at the end most of the time) Now, I live in this region, and you don't get to Pittsburgh in 2 hours at a slow pace. Two and a half hours going 75 on the highway? That's about right. And yes, speaking as someone who's made that trip any number of times.
But toward the end of the book, they reference a person they retrieved from the hospital "near Pittsburgh" that they escaped from initially. Except...the hospital wasn't in Pittsburgh? There was also a point Erik was referred to as Evan. That was a one-off, but I was left scratching my head and saying "Who's Evan?"...but next paragraph it was back to Erik.
Like I said, little nit-picky things, but irritating. The continuous misspelling of Pittsburgh made my brain itch though.
But toward the end of the book, they reference a person they retrieved from the hospital "near Pittsburgh" that they escaped from initially. Except...the hospital wasn't in Pittsburgh? There was also a point Erik was referred to as Evan. That was a one-off, but I was left scratching my head and saying "Who's Evan?"...but next paragraph it was back to Erik.
Like I said, little nit-picky things, but irritating. The continuous misspelling of Pittsburgh made my brain itch though.
May 24, 2020
A wonderful new series from an author I'd never heard of before.
We get a glimpse into Earth 7 years after magic has returned to the land, half of humanity has died off due to a plague, and a goodly percent of those left alive have had latent paranormal abilities awakened.
This lead to people becoming witches, wizards, vampires & trolls. Weres of all kinds, fairies, elves, and even jinn.
The story follows the capture of Amine & her brother Charles. We see their life in prison, how they deal with it, and the aftermath.
While the story is interesting, I couldn't give the book 5 stars for 2 reasons.
Character building is minimal, and the pacing is too fast. The book would have been better off exploring things a bit more to give the world a larger feel.
Hopefully this improves with the next book.
We get a glimpse into Earth 7 years after magic has returned to the land, half of humanity has died off due to a plague, and a goodly percent of those left alive have had latent paranormal abilities awakened.
This lead to people becoming witches, wizards, vampires & trolls. Weres of all kinds, fairies, elves, and even jinn.
The story follows the capture of Amine & her brother Charles. We see their life in prison, how they deal with it, and the aftermath.
While the story is interesting, I couldn't give the book 5 stars for 2 reasons.
Character building is minimal, and the pacing is too fast. The book would have been better off exploring things a bit more to give the world a larger feel.
Hopefully this improves with the next book.
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