Magda stands in the moonlit cemetery waiting for the spell to work, for her lover to return. But what’s done can’t be undone, and Magda will learn she should have left him in the ground.
When twins Avery and Chloe Parsons receive a cryptic letter and a sinister-looking book filled with illegible scrawls from their grandmother, the sisters set out for Prague to check on her.
Drawn to a cracked crystal ball in a curiosity shop, Chloe discovers it harbors the spirit of their grandmother, who tells them a horrific tale of lust, naïveté, betrayal, and… demons.
Armed with a book of dark magick they can’t read and a cracked crystal ball, the twins must stop Magda’s resurrected lover before he releases an unstoppable force that will consume the human world.
Across continents and nearly a century, follow the adventures of three strong-willed women: one seduced by evil, one struggling to withstand the lure of power, and one trying to save her family—and the world.
Carrie D. Miller was born in Kansas on October 31. She credits her vivid imagination, as well as her sugar addiction, to being a Halloween baby. In a former life, she was an executive in the software industry for many years. Her career in the technology world included software product management, website design, training, and technical writing just to name a few. Although Carrie’s written a great deal over the decades which has been read by thousands of people, software documentation allows for about as much creativity as pouring cement. At the age of 45, she decided to chuck it all to become an author which had been a life-long dream.
This book drips with evil. The author is able to create a world of evil and there is a sense of darkness emanating from this work that I haven't seen since reading 'The Omen'. An intriguing approach to character creation leads the reader to think this book is about Magda but that isn't necessarily true. She is the main component for the first 52% but then slides into the periphery while the twins kind of take over.
In looking for a comparable, I think fans of The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty will love this book. The reader is kept on edge from almost start to finish and the book ends with the reader having their own heart beating fast. There seems to be nothing good that can deal with the multi levels of evil purveying this world.
I did find it accurate for Avery near the end to remark that the old coins on the ground could be worth thousands but probably only hundreds with the scratches and marks. If only all collectors who wanted to sell their collections knew that bit of numismatic knowledge!
A powerful addition to the dark works of evil fiction that could have mass appeal.
Across decades and generations, a single man craving power threatens to rend the barrier between worlds, bringing about horrors humankind has never before encountered. A young woman, wife to an abusive husband, blinded by lust and love and acceptance, seeks solace and warmth in the arms of another man. She gives herself to him completely, but his intentions are shadowed by darkness and deceit. Armed with a broken heart and a book of skin and blood, she must do whatever it takes to prevent the man she once devoted everything to from bringing ruin to the world, even if it means placing her own granddaughters in the direct path of a monster.
Copper Pennies is the first entry in The Red Twins series and is a story of the constant battle of morality – fighting the urge to do what’s desired, and instead doing what’s just. Part dark fantasy, part thriller, part horror, it is a tale that focuses on balance, and the concept of being comfortable in your own skin, as well as your abilities, in order to affect others in positive ways. Miller takes us on an emotional and unsettling journey through time fueled by the power of lies and the obligation to fix mistakes of the past, as Magda seeks redemption for the naivety that has brought humanity to the brink of an unfathomable future. This book sank its claws into me within the first few chapters, and still refuses to let go even after the last page has been turned.
The inventive structure of this book made this feel as though I’ve read two separate stories, seamlessly threaded together to construct a wildly creative and unique narrative. Part I, which I’ve designated “The Past”, mainly follows Magda’s arc beginning in the 1930’s as she falls for Dr. Josef Straka, upending her life, then flees from Prague due to impending occupation during the war, finding a home in the United States. Around 50 years later she rescues a young mother of twins from an abusive relationship – a kindred spirit, perhaps? – and adopts the family as her own. The end of Part I marks a lifetime of deceit crashing down around her. Part II, which I have designated “The Awakening”, is set in the modern day, and follows the twins, now adults, as they work to right the wrongs unintentionally perpetrated by their grandmother.
This shift in focus, as well as the extended timeframe the story exists in allows for some deeply emotional moments as we connect with characters on profound levels. We share in Magda’s joy and sorrow as as we witness her age from a young woman towards and into elderliness. We observe as the twins, Avery and Chloe, grow from toddlers into teens into strong young adults, rejoicing in their achievements, and hurting alongside them when they face failure. Attending these milestone moments in their lives, it’s almost as though the reader is brought into this patchwork family, as well, forcing them to feel just as the characters do. The hope is uplifting. The betrayal is heart-wrenching. The anger is palpable. The worry is distressing. In all honesty, it’s been a while since I’ve felt so invested in characters I’ve just become acquainted with.
Miller wonderfully portrays different time periods through the use of crisp, clean writing, references specific to that time and place, and an immersion that doesn’t rely too heavily on the details. She leaves a good amount to the imagination, letting the mind paint its own pictures, which I always appreciate in a book. Her prose leans towards the simplistic, focusing more on the emotional aspects of this story, making this an easy-to-follow and incredibly engaging read.
The thriller/horror aspects that build the core of this story are extraordinarily developed. The gritty and sinister magic and rituals are built upon a deep history and a concrete set of rules, leading to some interesting consequences for those who dare break them. The vividly imaginative facets that imbue the world that are gradually revealed continue to add a renewed sense of wonder, leaving the reader craving more. I’ll readily admit I know I shouldn’t like him, but I found Josef Straka extremely intriguing, and an excellent antagonist. His arrogance and willingness to sacrifice anyone or anything in order to obtain what he covets allows him to perfectly portray an evil practitioner of the dark arts. Innate and borrowed magic, bloody rituals, the occult, demons, and more, this book has everything you’d need in a dark paranormal thriller.
Copper Pennies ties up its particular plot nicely, but leaves us with a crushing cliffhanger. Miller has set us off to embark on a captivating journey with all sorts of secrets hiding in the darkness, and I cannot wait to continue on beside the twins in the future.
Note: A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ★★★✬☆ (3.5/5 Stars) Title: Copper Pennies Author(s): Carrie D. Miller Character(s): ― Magda Hlavacova: 22-100+ years old, Housekeeper, Black, Brown Eyed ― Josef Straka: 35 years old, Physician, Black, Blue Eyed ― Avery Parsons: Red, Hazel Eyed ― Chloe Parsons: Red, Hazel Eyed Setting: Multiple Locations Tag(s): Fantasy, Mystery, Magic Content Rating: R POV: Third Person Smexy Level: Subtle Favorite Quote(s): ― "Death is not the end, my chosen one." Overall Opinion: "Copper Pennies" was filled with love, betrayal and a little bit of magic. Overall I thought it was a decent read and the author was able to enthralled me long enough to finished the read despite some moments where it did feel like it dragged on and I felt like not much progress was happening. Besides that I did enjoy the read and the characters that the author was able to bring to life with relaxed writing style. Seeing how this is going to be a series, I'll looking forward to the next installment as well as the continuation of the twins magical journey and the challenges they face ahead.
It’s easy to whip up a tale of black magick and betrayal; it’s much more difficult to add layered depth, interesting characters, and enough history to make it come to life. Copper Pennies breathes. Its breath isn’t always pleasant, but no good story comes to life when it’s been drenched in mouthwash.
So, if you want something gritty, a story that doesn’t hold back or paint its characters as perfect, try Copper Pennies. It’s one of those books that feels so real the characters and places stick with you after you put it down.
Magda is a sweet old grandmotherly type, that takes in Vivian a single mother and her twin daughters Avery and Chloe. But watch out for Granny!!! She has a pretty mean punch. Seems that Magda can bring forth magic when she needs to help her new adopted family. But her history is a mystery to Vivian and the girls. Magda teaches the twins good magic and wants to spread goodness through her life. Magda has forgotten her past, but it comes to her in her dreams. The forces of evil are calling her back to her roots.
Magda flees back to her home country to die, but there is a darker reason. Vivian and the girls are lost in a void without their dear Magda. Magda completes her quest for a lover from long ago. Then Magda learns that her foolish love for a man from the past is about to unleash evil onto this world. With no place to turn, Magda reaches out to her adopted granddaughters to carry the charge and defeat evil. How does it end? You’ll have to read Copper Pennies.
Carrie did an Awesome job in writing this magical thriller. Her writing is clean and crisp, one couldn’t go wrong in reading from this author.
After getting a new job in which she falls in love with her boss, things go awry for Magda. Josef, her boss, dies, not only with final wishes but opening a door of dark magic. When she fails to complete his final wishes because WWII is at her doorstep, she loses her memory and sails across the ocean to live out her life.
Now an old woman and an adoptive grandmother to two powerful twins, Magda is being plagued by powerful dreams. She must complete what her long lost love Josef asked so many years ago. So under the guise of returning home to die, she leaves the life she has made for reasons much eviler.
While I thought the story was a bit slow at times, it was a good story. The characters were in-depth, and the added magic was well-researched. A bit fantasy, a bit thriller, you follow Magda and the twins down a dark path as evil makes its way into the world. Copper Pennies is book 1, and I do hope to see more of the twins. Well done.
I fell in love with Ms. Miller's first book "The White Raven" and I couldn't wait for her next novel. I knew her next work would be wonderful and I was right.
What an imaginative writer! (I'm not surprised she was born on my favorite magickal day of the year: October 31st.)
Ms. Milller's creativity matches the likes of other brilliant novelists such as Paula Brackston and Deborah Harkness. After you you treat yourself to a read of "Copper Pennies," you'll immerse yourself in a exotic, unique story (a literary labor of love created by this extraordinary author) that will utterly captivate you.
I was captivated by this book within a few short pages. The pace, the poise and the structure was just lovely. Everything about the story and the way it’s written makes me want to research everything there is to know about being a witch. I wish there was more on Vivian and the progress of her life and that of the girls but I’m hopeful for a next in the series to see how things develop for the 3 girls.
Please, please, please! Keep writing!!! I didn’t know what to expect after thoroughly enjoying White Raven but I was not disappointed. I Loved this book and highly recommend it.
So dark and yet I was completely engrossed. I found myself immersed in this book, the images are vivid, the characters so real you are transported down this rabbit hole. I haven’t read anything like it. It is creepy and gentle, horrifying and fierce! Read it for yourself!
I quite enjoyed The White Raven by this author, so I was almost certain I would like Copper Pennies. And between the cover and the description, my certainty only grew. So I am pleased to report that my expectations were met, if not exceeded.
Copper Pennies has a fascinating premise, and the characters are a fascinating mixed bag of morals, thoughts, and feelings. One of my (very minor) complaints with White Raven was that the villains verged almost into caricature with their evil - I felt that Copper Pennies was much more nuanced in this regard. There was more understanding placed into what had made the villains the way they are, and their overall demeanour was a little more subtle.
And something that I very much enjoyed about White Raven was the way 'real world' witchcraft, as it exists in our world, is blended with the fantasy element of magic that exists in the story. It adds an extra level of immersion for me, and gives the story that extra step into realism.
I'm very excited for any continuation into this universe, and anything new by Carrie D. Miller. Her writing is excellent, and her stories are very enjoyable.
Beautifully and magically written. This story takes you on such an adventure and I loved every minute. It was so hard to put down! The magical aspects on rituals/practices is spot on as well. I fell in love with the characters and I cannot wait for more! This book is what dreams are made of.
Great storyline so far, I'm hooked! Very easy to get drawn into, great character development and maintains just the right level of suspense. Really looking forward to see what happens next!
Disclaimer: I received an e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Copper Pennies
Author: Carrie D. Miller
Book Series: The Red Twin Series Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: Thrillers, mysteries
Publication Date: July 13, 2019
Publisher: FiveFold Press
Pages: 364
Recommended Age: can't recommend, dnf-ed
Synopsis: Magda stands in the moonlit cemetery waiting for the spell to work, for her lover to return. But what’s done can’t be undone, and Magda will learn she should have left him in the ground.
When twins Avery and Chloe Parsons receive a cryptic letter and a sinister-looking book filled with illegible scrawls from their grandmother, the sisters set out for Prague to check on her.
Drawn to a cracked crystal ball in a curiosity shop, Chloe discovers it harbors the spirit of their grandmother, who tells them a horrific tale of lust, naïveté, betrayal, and… demons.
Armed with a book of dark magick they can’t read and a cracked crystal ball, the twins must stop Magda’s resurrected lover before he releases an unstoppable force that will consume the human world.
Across continents and nearly a century, follow the adventures of three strong-willed women: one seduced by evil, one struggling to withstand the lure of power, and one trying to save her family—and the world.
Review: I had to dnf this book at 43%. It was a beautiful book but there's a lot going on and it just wasn't for me.
Verdict: Recommend this book, but there's a lot going on so read it when you have a free mind.
I have had movies that kept me on my toes, I have never had a book that did the same, until now: This book kept me going, I didn't want to stop. The magick for good and bad was well done, the story line flowed and kept me from putting the book down.
The evil and magick was far beyond what I could imagine, the Twins and the way they developed into main characters made for a good read. The details of the Twins, Grammy, Dr. and Mom throughout made it feel like we were watching this on a big screen, perhaps that is down the road.
I look forward to the next book and the evil that comes of it.
I finished this book quite a while ago but completely forgot to leave my review! (sorry!) There are not enough words to describe how this book is amazingly written! Carrie Miller captivated me from the very first couple of chapters with Magda's "love" for Straka, only to end up seeing what he really was! Just amazing! Definitely a page turner, hard to put down type of a book. I cannot wait for the second book to come out to see what happens next!! Thank you Ms. Miller for rekindling my love for reading again. <3
I bought this book based on having read another book by this author and she did not disappoint. Copper Pennies is well crafted with characters I really liked, except for the couple that I found despicable. The author keeps the tension going from beginning to end and while the ending did not wrap up all the loose ends, it at least brought an ending to the conflict with the main antagonist. I assume there will be more coming in the Red Twins series and I'm looking forward to it. Well done and recommended.
Ugh. Very rarely do I not finish a book, but I just could not pick this up again to read to the end. I started out enjoying it but very quickly changed my mind - too far fetched for me.
Again with the amazing — I don’t know how Carrie does it. From the very first page, I was catapulted into this world of magick and dark fantasy — it’s been a very long time since I’ve “seen” a world so vividly (since I read her first book — see a pattern here? She’s incredible.)
I am already excited to see where this series is headed next — and I hope, someday, it’s headed to the movie screen!