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"The true power of magic is not to send random objects careening off across the room. The true power of magic is to make ordinary people bow."
In Arilloa, the royal family uses their magic to win the respect of the ordinary populace. But Leonie, a princess and second in line to the throne, has a terrible secret: she's barely magic at all. The only person to ever find out her secret is Armand, a boy training to become a Knifecloak, one of the elite castle guards.
Leonie's younger brother Hiss, on the other hand, is a child prodigy with greater powers than anyone else in the family, capable of creating monsters out of thin air. One day Hiss goes missing and resurfaces at the head of a rebellion, using his powers to strike against the country and the crown. Monsters against soldiers, magic against normality. Leonie and Armand must find Hiss and stop him while the monster-driven war rages around them.
A Young Adult (YA) / New Adult (NA) novel with elements of both fantasy and romance.
Books in THE UNMAGIC TRILOGY:
1. Hiss
2. Armand
3. Leonie
In Arilloa, the royal family uses their magic to win the respect of the ordinary populace. But Leonie, a princess and second in line to the throne, has a terrible secret: she's barely magic at all. The only person to ever find out her secret is Armand, a boy training to become a Knifecloak, one of the elite castle guards.
Leonie's younger brother Hiss, on the other hand, is a child prodigy with greater powers than anyone else in the family, capable of creating monsters out of thin air. One day Hiss goes missing and resurfaces at the head of a rebellion, using his powers to strike against the country and the crown. Monsters against soldiers, magic against normality. Leonie and Armand must find Hiss and stop him while the monster-driven war rages around them.
A Young Adult (YA) / New Adult (NA) novel with elements of both fantasy and romance.
Books in THE UNMAGIC TRILOGY:
1. Hiss
2. Armand
3. Leonie
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Amaya Ash
6 books17 followersMy previous book was published by a traditional publishing house under a different name. It was chosen as one of the Booklist Best Books; was nominated for YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults; was a finalist for the Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards; and was featured in the New York Times, Publisher's Weekly in a starred review, Booklist in a starred review, and Kirkus Reviews in a starred review. Now I'm self-publishing for the first time.
Some editorial reviews for my previous book:
"Frankly spellbinding." - The New York Times
"Eye-opening and inspiring." - The LA Times
"Thrilling. A breath of fresh air." - Publisher's Weekly
"Unique... Feels like a breeze in the desert." - Booklist
"Exhilarates and refreshes." - Kirkus Reviews
Some editorial reviews for my previous book:
"Frankly spellbinding." - The New York Times
"Eye-opening and inspiring." - The LA Times
"Thrilling. A breath of fresh air." - Publisher's Weekly
"Unique... Feels like a breeze in the desert." - Booklist
"Exhilarates and refreshes." - Kirkus Reviews
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 17, 2020
An amazing and heart-thumping adventure!!!
I want to read the sequel already!
*There are strange, uncanny, and terrifying monsters, monster-driven wars
*Admirable heroine - Princess Leontia of Arilloa whose FIDs/Stream
of consciousness/Introspections are thought-provoking especially her notions on magic.
*Believable characters
*Of Magic & unchecked powers
*Politicking/revolutionary ideas
*Moral dilemmas/necessary evils
*Romance/passion - was real and intense
*Maternal/sibling love - heartfelt & genuine
*Are children capable of evil?
*Is it okay to kill a child?
Favorite parts/scenes
That magic can be found in small things - truly appreciate this part
Leonie-birds
Collecting herbs
Surrounded by many Leonies-rustling skirts sound was really unnerving
Caravan & crossing Castion border
and most definitely Leonie's ultimate decision
One of my favourite quotes :
"This was the power of small things. The incomparable magic of the tiny and the overlooked.
A knife that could begin a kingdom. A leaf that could pull someone away from death.
The minuscule weight of smoke and flames, of a breeze, of a smile".
I want to read the sequel already!
*There are strange, uncanny, and terrifying monsters, monster-driven wars
*Admirable heroine - Princess Leontia of Arilloa whose FIDs/Stream
of consciousness/Introspections are thought-provoking especially her notions on magic.
*Believable characters
*Of Magic & unchecked powers
*Politicking/revolutionary ideas
*Moral dilemmas/necessary evils
*Romance/passion - was real and intense
*Maternal/sibling love - heartfelt & genuine
*Are children capable of evil?
*Is it okay to kill a child?
Favorite parts/scenes
That magic can be found in small things - truly appreciate this part
Leonie-birds
Collecting herbs
Surrounded by many Leonies-rustling skirts sound was really unnerving
Caravan & crossing Castion border
and most definitely Leonie's ultimate decision
One of my favourite quotes :
"This was the power of small things. The incomparable magic of the tiny and the overlooked.
A knife that could begin a kingdom. A leaf that could pull someone away from death.
The minuscule weight of smoke and flames, of a breeze, of a smile".
September 30, 2020
Since the very first time I laid my eyes upon the cover of Hiss, I knew that the story was meant to be remembered. I wanted so bad to get a review copy, but as I was going through Amaya Ash's website, I could not find any email address. I gave up hope a few days later, but then the author contacted me in hope of giving me a review copy! I was over the moon, and for a good reason! I finished the book in just a few hours, and now I cannot get over the story!
Some of the most important things that make the story as good as it is are the writing style, pacing and the course of actions. There was not any point in this 300-page book when I found myself wondering what in Gaia's name was happening. Also, the pacing was perfect; the actions weren't happening too fast, nor too slow. At some point, towards the ending, I felt a bit as if the story started to loosen up, but right after I reached the middle of the last chapter, the balance was reestablished.
The writing style amazed me through my reading. The book was easy to read and quite grabbing; I always found myself chucking through the house only because. Despite its lightness, the writing was complex. It is to be appreciated, knowing that it also deals with marginalization and other heavy subjects. I feel like Amaya portrayed trauma in a way that did not romanticize the term. You have no idea how much I stand by this book and how much I love the novel at this point.
FULL REVIEW AND FAVOURITE QUOTES ON MY BLOG: http://dailydoseofbooks.com/2020/09/3...
Even if I couldn't speak directly into someone's mind, like Herman, I still had vocal cords which could change the pattern of the flowing air molecules, which could bump a specific message into someone else's brain, through their ears... Wasn't that wonderful too? What was so much better about telepathy?
Some of the most important things that make the story as good as it is are the writing style, pacing and the course of actions. There was not any point in this 300-page book when I found myself wondering what in Gaia's name was happening. Also, the pacing was perfect; the actions weren't happening too fast, nor too slow. At some point, towards the ending, I felt a bit as if the story started to loosen up, but right after I reached the middle of the last chapter, the balance was reestablished.
Once they thought they had seen through the first lie, they wouldn't suspect another one. A clumsy disguise, pointing to yet another disguise, is often best. People seldom expect to find two levels of deception.
The writing style amazed me through my reading. The book was easy to read and quite grabbing; I always found myself chucking through the house only because. Despite its lightness, the writing was complex. It is to be appreciated, knowing that it also deals with marginalization and other heavy subjects. I feel like Amaya portrayed trauma in a way that did not romanticize the term. You have no idea how much I stand by this book and how much I love the novel at this point.
FULL REVIEW AND FAVOURITE QUOTES ON MY BLOG: http://dailydoseofbooks.com/2020/09/3...
October 26, 2020
Dark with plot twists I never saw coming...
I will start with, this ended up being a little more high fantasy than I normally read. I tend to like easy, quick reads. But, with that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It was very clear this author put a massive amount of thought into the characters, the world, and the plot/storyline. Everything was very clear (which isn't always the case with high fantasy. That's one reason I don't normally pick that genre) The author did an amazing job of pulling me in as a reader. When the characters were high, I was high. When the characters were low, I was low.
My only complaint, was that it did take a while to pick up. I don't know, maybe 15%. But again, I think that's just the genre. I found myself wanting to jump a head, but then once the story really got going, I was fully invested.
I was also surprised numerous times. I thought it was going one way, and then suddenly we took a right turn, instead of a left LOL - That just shows how much effort the author put in to layout.
I would definitely recommend this book. 4 out of 5 stars!
I will start with, this ended up being a little more high fantasy than I normally read. I tend to like easy, quick reads. But, with that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It was very clear this author put a massive amount of thought into the characters, the world, and the plot/storyline. Everything was very clear (which isn't always the case with high fantasy. That's one reason I don't normally pick that genre) The author did an amazing job of pulling me in as a reader. When the characters were high, I was high. When the characters were low, I was low.
My only complaint, was that it did take a while to pick up. I don't know, maybe 15%. But again, I think that's just the genre. I found myself wanting to jump a head, but then once the story really got going, I was fully invested.
I was also surprised numerous times. I thought it was going one way, and then suddenly we took a right turn, instead of a left LOL - That just shows how much effort the author put in to layout.
I would definitely recommend this book. 4 out of 5 stars!
September 27, 2020
The author sent me an ebook in exchange for a review. I was immersed in the story from the very first page, the narration was fairytale like but the story gets darker as it goes. In the Kingdom of Arrilloa the royals have magical abilities but Princess Leonie has barely any power while Hiss, the younger prince, has more power than any kid should. He can create monsters. One day Hiss disappears but his creatures attack Arilloa, making it easier for the Castions to rebel against the king. Leonie and a Knifecloak (royal guard) go on a mission to find Hiss and stop his monsters. I absolutely love the story and the messages from the book, Leonie doesn’t have as much magic as others but she can use her brain to outsmart everyone. The book will raise your heartbeat, make you cry and clap at the ending, it was exactly what I didn’t know I needed, please read it and be immersed into the story.
September 17, 2020
I love this book! In general, I'm not a fantasy reader (or I wasn't) because I find the plots and the endless names intimidating! This one though is excellent. The plot is easy to follow, it's well written and there are some twists in here that left me agape. The protagonist is a perfect, sassy, teenage princess that has to do whatever it takes to save her kingdom, while also keeping her lack of magical powers a secret. There's a forbidden love and even though I'm not into romance, I'm glad it's there. I felt for the characters and I kept turning the pages until the end! There are huge dilemmas that the protagonist has to face and I liked reading her thoughts about what's wrong and what's right, the importance of family, her role as a daughter. I want to know how her character is further developed. I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
October 8, 2020
Author – Amaya Ash
Publisher – Self-published
Genre – YA, Fantasy, Romance
Pages – 340
Year of publication – 2020
Rating – 4/5 stars
“This was the power of small things. The incomparable magic of the tiny and the overlooked. A knife that could begin a kingdom. A leaf that could pull someone away from death. The miniscule weight of smoke and flames, of a breeze, of a smile.”
Centuries ago, Arilloa was built, a mere territory ruled by the Tordian Empire into a kingdom by an ordinary shepherd boy. Herman was born with a hint of magic. It’s really surprising to see what difference a small mutation in the genes can have. His gift was a proof that he was born for royalty and riches. In years to come his bloodline became stronger. He embroidered his entire dynasty string by string. He took in anyone who was born with any hint of magic and married off to the royal family.
“That’s because the true power of magic is not to send random objects careening off across the room. The true power of magic is to make ordinary people bow.”
The book is written from the point of view of Leontia, princess and the second child of King Herman the Eleventh. Her mother, just like her father had magical abilities, more so than her father. But she wasn’t so lucky. She was gifted with minimum to no magic ability.
She was neglected by her father and her mother died giving birth to her younger brother, Isidor. Leontia raises him as her own child. Isidor was born with extraordinary or rather horrifying magical abilities. He could create monsters. The king was disturbed by this and often treated him badly which made him believe that he was unwanted. Eventually he fled from the palace. He was nowhere to be found.
But one day a monster appears in the royal palace and creates havoc, killing the king. Leontia immediately knew it was one of Isidor’s creations and believed that he was being forced to create monsters by the Castions. She sets out on an adventurous journey with only a knifecloak by her side, as she knew only she could stop him.
“It was a death lottery, a matter of holding your breath and waiting for the screams to come, wondering who was going to be killed this time, and praying it wouldn’t be you.”
Thus began the journey of a princess and a common knifecloak filled with monsters, near death experiences, dark secrets and forbidden love.
Contrary to the title of the book, the story is full of magic and mystery along with romance and drama. This book has successfully exceeded my expectations from it and I cannot wait to read the next instalment of the series.
Happy Reading
Arunima x
Publisher – Self-published
Genre – YA, Fantasy, Romance
Pages – 340
Year of publication – 2020
Rating – 4/5 stars
“This was the power of small things. The incomparable magic of the tiny and the overlooked. A knife that could begin a kingdom. A leaf that could pull someone away from death. The miniscule weight of smoke and flames, of a breeze, of a smile.”
Centuries ago, Arilloa was built, a mere territory ruled by the Tordian Empire into a kingdom by an ordinary shepherd boy. Herman was born with a hint of magic. It’s really surprising to see what difference a small mutation in the genes can have. His gift was a proof that he was born for royalty and riches. In years to come his bloodline became stronger. He embroidered his entire dynasty string by string. He took in anyone who was born with any hint of magic and married off to the royal family.
“That’s because the true power of magic is not to send random objects careening off across the room. The true power of magic is to make ordinary people bow.”
The book is written from the point of view of Leontia, princess and the second child of King Herman the Eleventh. Her mother, just like her father had magical abilities, more so than her father. But she wasn’t so lucky. She was gifted with minimum to no magic ability.
She was neglected by her father and her mother died giving birth to her younger brother, Isidor. Leontia raises him as her own child. Isidor was born with extraordinary or rather horrifying magical abilities. He could create monsters. The king was disturbed by this and often treated him badly which made him believe that he was unwanted. Eventually he fled from the palace. He was nowhere to be found.
But one day a monster appears in the royal palace and creates havoc, killing the king. Leontia immediately knew it was one of Isidor’s creations and believed that he was being forced to create monsters by the Castions. She sets out on an adventurous journey with only a knifecloak by her side, as she knew only she could stop him.
“It was a death lottery, a matter of holding your breath and waiting for the screams to come, wondering who was going to be killed this time, and praying it wouldn’t be you.”
Thus began the journey of a princess and a common knifecloak filled with monsters, near death experiences, dark secrets and forbidden love.
Contrary to the title of the book, the story is full of magic and mystery along with romance and drama. This book has successfully exceeded my expectations from it and I cannot wait to read the next instalment of the series.
Happy Reading
Arunima x
October 27, 2020
Leonie comes from a long lineage of royal magic but there's just one problem, she doesn't seem to have any. Her mother, passing in child birth, has left her to care for her little brother, Hiss, who has more than enough magic for the both of them but it is a very troubling magic...very dark and Hiss doesn't seem to really differentiate between right or wrong. He is kind of indifferent about a lot of things. When things go awry and Hiss disappears for awhile, the worst is assumed. That is until his conjured magical monsters begin terrorizing Leonie's kingdom and killing innocent people to start a war. With the help of one of the well trained royal protectors, a knifeback named Armand, Leonie sets off to find Hiss to bring him home safely and end the war he has started...
What an amazing dark fantasy adventure that also has an epic forbidden romance! I loved it and cannot wait to continue on with the series to find out what happens next!
Leonie's magic might be small but it is truly mighty...no spoilers so you have to read it to see how she discovers where her true powers lie. Her journey of self discovery and self worth is beautiful!
I am completely smitten with the knifeback, Armand. He is incredible and the knifebacks, in general, are quite an incredible group of disciplined soldiers. The romance and love that begins between Leonie and Armand is heartbreaking and lovely.
I am also really fond of Leonie's fiancé, Orland. He might be younger but he is truly a great friend to Leonie.
And as for Hiss. What an innocent and yet extremely terrifying villain he is...and he's completely innocent because he is just a child and manipulated by the aspirations of those around him.
This YA fantasy is about love, family, loyalty, duty, and self discovery. I highly recommend it if you enjoy fantasy!
Thank you to the author for sending me the ebook version of this novel in exchange for my review.
What an amazing dark fantasy adventure that also has an epic forbidden romance! I loved it and cannot wait to continue on with the series to find out what happens next!
Leonie's magic might be small but it is truly mighty...no spoilers so you have to read it to see how she discovers where her true powers lie. Her journey of self discovery and self worth is beautiful!
I am completely smitten with the knifeback, Armand. He is incredible and the knifebacks, in general, are quite an incredible group of disciplined soldiers. The romance and love that begins between Leonie and Armand is heartbreaking and lovely.
I am also really fond of Leonie's fiancé, Orland. He might be younger but he is truly a great friend to Leonie.
And as for Hiss. What an innocent and yet extremely terrifying villain he is...and he's completely innocent because he is just a child and manipulated by the aspirations of those around him.
This YA fantasy is about love, family, loyalty, duty, and self discovery. I highly recommend it if you enjoy fantasy!
Thank you to the author for sending me the ebook version of this novel in exchange for my review.
November 25, 2020
This one came to me as a review request from Ms. Ash, and I had decided before reading the blurb I had wanted to read this because my daughter shares a middle name with her. Then I got to the blurb, and it sounded so fun, it sealed the deal. Being the only barely magic child in a family of three children weighs on Leonie heavily. She has tried her entire life to unleash a power she just doesn’t seem to contain. Through this story, she will learn that sometimes we have to accept and learn to deal with what we’re given to move on in life.
If there were any negatives for me, I felt Leonie was immature, and while I understand people in positions of power, don’t fully understand how the world works, her naivety stretched too far for me. The drama that occurred around her felt contrived. And of course, I was a bit frustrated at the ending because I’m not a fan of books that depend on the next one to continue the storyline but thankfully, all the books are out which means I won’t have to wait.
When I look past those slight issues, there is a lot to love in this one. This was a super fun read. I thought that Hiss’s creations were creative, and they were vividly described. The characters were well-detailed and Ash made them come to life. I thought Leonie’s big rescue plan was absurdly brilliant, and I’m not sure if I would have the same kind of bravery that she did. I loved the world that was created, and I would love to learn more about the varying places that fall under Herman’s rule. I’m looking forward to Leonie going through personal growth in the upcoming books. I can’t wait to start them.
If there were any negatives for me, I felt Leonie was immature, and while I understand people in positions of power, don’t fully understand how the world works, her naivety stretched too far for me. The drama that occurred around her felt contrived. And of course, I was a bit frustrated at the ending because I’m not a fan of books that depend on the next one to continue the storyline but thankfully, all the books are out which means I won’t have to wait.
When I look past those slight issues, there is a lot to love in this one. This was a super fun read. I thought that Hiss’s creations were creative, and they were vividly described. The characters were well-detailed and Ash made them come to life. I thought Leonie’s big rescue plan was absurdly brilliant, and I’m not sure if I would have the same kind of bravery that she did. I loved the world that was created, and I would love to learn more about the varying places that fall under Herman’s rule. I’m looking forward to Leonie going through personal growth in the upcoming books. I can’t wait to start them.
October 6, 2020
Honestly, when I first started reading I was very sceptical about whether I was going to enjoy it or not. The style of writing was extremely different to that of which I normally read, along with the flow and speech of the characters.
However, I pretty much read this book in a day. I could not put it down, whether it was my style of book or not. This story was FANTASTIC! The idea was quite unique and the characters extremely loveable (my boys Armand and Ettor 😍). It just grabs you and doesn't let you go.
I definitely think it's either an 'you like it or you don't' kind of a book, but even for me who was unsure at first it was a great read. Super super excited to read Armand!
However, I pretty much read this book in a day. I could not put it down, whether it was my style of book or not. This story was FANTASTIC! The idea was quite unique and the characters extremely loveable (my boys Armand and Ettor 😍). It just grabs you and doesn't let you go.
I definitely think it's either an 'you like it or you don't' kind of a book, but even for me who was unsure at first it was a great read. Super super excited to read Armand!
October 26, 2020
The rating for this book is 4/5
This story involves a unique love story that be folds amongst their priorities! A magical moment to keep your breathe holding with a realistic imagination while reading.
The plot was a little slower in the beginning as the story was shaping a bit by bit. A very mystical collaboration of princesses & princes along with their loyal servants. It was a great experience to understand the royal and their fully loaded potential competencies. An honorable read, to see a delightful princess who was being fed by a golden spoon plays an important role that proves the kindness always wins. The declaration of the wars truly affected the kings as well as their own families at the risk of being attacked.
The kingdom full of pride and deep shallows that contains hidden secrets to stimulate the magic within the family, to overrun its own people, to bring justice, and to survive. Princess, Leonie performs her roles as a sister, mother, and a great survivor as she gasps the hold of the kingdom with her powers. At first, she considers herself useless in comparison to Herman, her elder brother, and her younger brother, hiss who turns their worlds upside down with his magical powers.
As magical as this story gets, the flowing love takes its own forms. It has always been advised that love has its own place and time. Leonie’s love for Hiss has never faded, she would always do what’s best for him no matter what circumstances may occur. It’s wonderful to see such love between siblings. Hiss has always been hated by his own family as well as all the members of the kingdom, always trusted by his own sister. His magic appeared to take over which failed the powers to control them, leading them to chaos each time. The occurrence of his magic grew stronger within a few years that was enough to cause trouble between kingdoms, demands for freedom or execution, A dark side of the story, a must-read! 🙈
I can’t decide on a single character to be my favorite! I enjoyed Armand, Leonie, Ettor, and Thissa. 😍 A great mix of playful, mindful, strong, and mysterious roles each one holds in this story! The writing style is delightful, the detailed explanations were provided gracefully, and easy to understand the story in the whole read. ❤️
This is typically not my kind of genre, but honestly, I enjoyed reading it. The story gets built up immediately after 100-150 pages. The ROM-COM and Fantasy lovers out there, give this book a read! 😌
This story involves a unique love story that be folds amongst their priorities! A magical moment to keep your breathe holding with a realistic imagination while reading.
The plot was a little slower in the beginning as the story was shaping a bit by bit. A very mystical collaboration of princesses & princes along with their loyal servants. It was a great experience to understand the royal and their fully loaded potential competencies. An honorable read, to see a delightful princess who was being fed by a golden spoon plays an important role that proves the kindness always wins. The declaration of the wars truly affected the kings as well as their own families at the risk of being attacked.
The kingdom full of pride and deep shallows that contains hidden secrets to stimulate the magic within the family, to overrun its own people, to bring justice, and to survive. Princess, Leonie performs her roles as a sister, mother, and a great survivor as she gasps the hold of the kingdom with her powers. At first, she considers herself useless in comparison to Herman, her elder brother, and her younger brother, hiss who turns their worlds upside down with his magical powers.
As magical as this story gets, the flowing love takes its own forms. It has always been advised that love has its own place and time. Leonie’s love for Hiss has never faded, she would always do what’s best for him no matter what circumstances may occur. It’s wonderful to see such love between siblings. Hiss has always been hated by his own family as well as all the members of the kingdom, always trusted by his own sister. His magic appeared to take over which failed the powers to control them, leading them to chaos each time. The occurrence of his magic grew stronger within a few years that was enough to cause trouble between kingdoms, demands for freedom or execution, A dark side of the story, a must-read! 🙈
I can’t decide on a single character to be my favorite! I enjoyed Armand, Leonie, Ettor, and Thissa. 😍 A great mix of playful, mindful, strong, and mysterious roles each one holds in this story! The writing style is delightful, the detailed explanations were provided gracefully, and easy to understand the story in the whole read. ❤️
This is typically not my kind of genre, but honestly, I enjoyed reading it. The story gets built up immediately after 100-150 pages. The ROM-COM and Fantasy lovers out there, give this book a read! 😌
November 1, 2020
Firstly, thank you to Amaya for gifting me a digital copy of her book in exchange for an honest review!
Hiss is the first book in a new fantasy series by Amaya Ash! In the kingdom of Arilloa the Royal Family has been breeding magic into their line for generations.
Princess Leonie has barely any magic at all, however, the opposite can be said of the youngest prince, her brother Hiss. No one truly knows how much he is capable of, except that he can easily create monsters out of thin air. You could say that it's a success for the family to have such a powerful heir to the throne, after all, that's what they wanted - isn't it?
I enjoyed Hiss quite a lot. I quite liked the simplicity of the magic system: it's not an overload of magic and information. I liked that we're introduced most of the characters early on and given background information to understand who they are.
I loved the characters. They felt real and a lot of people can relate to them. What I hate in a book is instant love and I'm glad that wasn't the case with Leonie and Armand. Leonie is a teenage girl falling in love for the first time - in the middle of a war, good timing right? - and being on the journey with her is a great rollercoaster of emotions.
Now, the only thing I would say was negative about the book is the world building. We're given information on the characters and the plot, and just a little about the world. I felt I could be anywhere, and not in Arilloa. I think the world building could have been developed a little more to make it unique.
Having said that, the action was fast-paced, the writing was structured well and the story flows! Also, I need the second book asap!
I'll leave it there as I don't want to give spoilers!
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Would I Recommend? Yes
Will I read the next instalment? Yes!
Hiss is the first book in a new fantasy series by Amaya Ash! In the kingdom of Arilloa the Royal Family has been breeding magic into their line for generations.
Princess Leonie has barely any magic at all, however, the opposite can be said of the youngest prince, her brother Hiss. No one truly knows how much he is capable of, except that he can easily create monsters out of thin air. You could say that it's a success for the family to have such a powerful heir to the throne, after all, that's what they wanted - isn't it?
I enjoyed Hiss quite a lot. I quite liked the simplicity of the magic system: it's not an overload of magic and information. I liked that we're introduced most of the characters early on and given background information to understand who they are.
I loved the characters. They felt real and a lot of people can relate to them. What I hate in a book is instant love and I'm glad that wasn't the case with Leonie and Armand. Leonie is a teenage girl falling in love for the first time - in the middle of a war, good timing right? - and being on the journey with her is a great rollercoaster of emotions.
Now, the only thing I would say was negative about the book is the world building. We're given information on the characters and the plot, and just a little about the world. I felt I could be anywhere, and not in Arilloa. I think the world building could have been developed a little more to make it unique.
Having said that, the action was fast-paced, the writing was structured well and the story flows! Also, I need the second book asap!
I'll leave it there as I don't want to give spoilers!
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Would I Recommend? Yes
Will I read the next instalment? Yes!
October 4, 2020
Slight spoilers ahead so continue at your own peril.
In Arilloa, having magic means you stand above the rest, like you're a totally different species. So it's no surprise that Leonie has always seen herself as a disappointment and unwhole because she lacks the magical prowess that her royal family are known for. Hiss, Leonie's youngest brother, seems to have inherited a tad more than his fair share of magical power, and let's just say it's gone to his head and he's only a young child.
I tried my best to go into this book without preconceived ideas of how I thought it was going to go. As an avid reader of YA fantasy sometimes this is difficult to do. But this story has stood apart from any that I've read so far because of how it has been written. You can tell that a lot of thought has been taken into how the words flow. You can hear your inner voice speeding up sensing the urgency as if being hunted in the dark, then slowing down as if time is coming to a standstill when characters take a deep breath.
I loved how the characters were written, and how they were allowed to develop throughout. Just a short period of time into the book (15% or so) I wrote in my notes "I can already tell I'm going to like this guy a lot" and it's not very often I do that, and I was right, I did like him a lot. Gave off proper Kylo Ren/Adam Driver vibes. Anyway, enough of that 😅
I really really REALLY enjoyed this book, and I broke one of my own rules to prove it. You know when authors put that little sneak peak chapter in the back? I never ever read it. Well I read it, because I just had to, because I wanted to know what is coming next.
I was sent a copy by the author in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Arilloa, having magic means you stand above the rest, like you're a totally different species. So it's no surprise that Leonie has always seen herself as a disappointment and unwhole because she lacks the magical prowess that her royal family are known for. Hiss, Leonie's youngest brother, seems to have inherited a tad more than his fair share of magical power, and let's just say it's gone to his head and he's only a young child.
I tried my best to go into this book without preconceived ideas of how I thought it was going to go. As an avid reader of YA fantasy sometimes this is difficult to do. But this story has stood apart from any that I've read so far because of how it has been written. You can tell that a lot of thought has been taken into how the words flow. You can hear your inner voice speeding up sensing the urgency as if being hunted in the dark, then slowing down as if time is coming to a standstill when characters take a deep breath.
I loved how the characters were written, and how they were allowed to develop throughout. Just a short period of time into the book (15% or so) I wrote in my notes "I can already tell I'm going to like this guy a lot" and it's not very often I do that, and I was right, I did like him a lot. Gave off proper Kylo Ren/Adam Driver vibes. Anyway, enough of that 😅
I really really REALLY enjoyed this book, and I broke one of my own rules to prove it. You know when authors put that little sneak peak chapter in the back? I never ever read it. Well I read it, because I just had to, because I wanted to know what is coming next.
I was sent a copy by the author in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2020
"Love isn’t based on facts like that, it’s not dependent on a list. It’s not something you justify. It happens, it strikes like lightning, and then you have to live with it, for better or for worse—that’s all."
The beginning of this book grabbed me (well, after the cover had finished catching my attention) because of it's strange and quite dark take on the YA high fantasy magic setting. The middle wavered for me a little because I started to wonder if it was actually a romance in disguise. But the end... Oh, the end got back to that emotional darkness, mixing in with a realisticly awkward and ill-fated romance. It might not have been the fantasy action/adventure I'd expected (no sword-wielding princesses fighting monsters like the cover made me think) but it turned out to be something interesting, complex and far more grounded than most YA books ever achieve.
Something made me think of Snow Like Ashes, only less focussed on the big wide world and more on the central characters being, well, teenagers. Very #awkward ones. With very difficult family members.
The story follows princess Leontia, the one magickless member of the royal family of Arilloa. Her older brother Herman's a pretty good magic-wielder, but her youngest sibling Isador is a veritable prodigy. Not only can he use the signature telekenisis, he can create monsters out of thin air. He's also just a bit... strange. Not that Leonie cares; she takes him under her wing as she knows what it is to feel like an outcast because of an accident of birth. When Isador, nicknamed Hiss, vanishes from the palace, she's bereft until monsters start appearing across the kingdom. With rebellion stirring and the monsters seemingly fighting against her family, Leonie volunteers to seek out the rebels who must have snatched Hiss to use against them. Taking with her one royal guard, the young and stoic Armand, she sets off only to discover just how many ways a heart can be made to bleed.
No lies,it's the darkness that really drew me in. The "something" wrong with Hiss, the story of his birth and early life told from Leonie's pained point of view was so immersive I could practically see Hiss' creepy creations slithering. You also get that eerie sense of dread seeping through the words; Leonie knows what her family means when they speak ill of Hiss but she can't not love him or feel his rejection like her own. Your heart hurts for her.
When the journey into the wilds began, I did start to wonder a little at the pacing. The getting to know you phase between Leonie and Armand felt a little slow tome, even interspersed with many times of needing to run from monsters. Things were quite introspective, mostly focussed on Leonie's inner monologue and her inability to see... Well, YA romance in action. It was pretty darn interesting though to have a main character who was the object of insta-love rather than suffering from it herself. That made her character all the more curious; she's so cool and distant, not completely naive but so lost in her own sadness that she's unaware of things around her. She's spent her time in denial so much, though it's not the overwhelmingly angsty self-pity kind.
But then when the romance finally worked its way through (after having some side characters to bounce off), it felt like the perfect realistic blooming of teenage love. Not everything hot-n-heavy hormones or enemies-to-lovers, people. Leonie's gradual realisations and coming to terms with actually being allowed to have feelings were an awkward kind of beautiful. Armand may have been a bit of an automaton character-wise, but his courtly love and idealism made him memorable even if Leonie (and the terrifying Hiss) outshone him in my eyes.
I think that's what I loved about this one: emotional intelligence. Not just about romance, but about grief, guilt, duty and denial. Leonie coming to terms with her powers, her emotions and how to just be in a world where she just doesn't quite fit in. She might not do any sword-swinging or learn super-mega magic skills, but she has a quiet strength that made me like her even though she could come across as one of those cold, less likeable heroines early on.
Also: Urgh, realistic depression y'all. You don't see that in every YA novel.
Engaging writing coupled with an unusual romance and a dash of dark fantasy made this one a slow and heartbreaking read. It is more romance-oriented than I'd expected, but in the end that didn't turn out to be a bad thing (says the not-so-into-romance reader). The ending leaves enough open for plenty more heartbreak to come. Well worth checking out if realistic romance in a fantasy land is your thing.
The beginning of this book grabbed me (well, after the cover had finished catching my attention) because of it's strange and quite dark take on the YA high fantasy magic setting. The middle wavered for me a little because I started to wonder if it was actually a romance in disguise. But the end... Oh, the end got back to that emotional darkness, mixing in with a realisticly awkward and ill-fated romance. It might not have been the fantasy action/adventure I'd expected (no sword-wielding princesses fighting monsters like the cover made me think) but it turned out to be something interesting, complex and far more grounded than most YA books ever achieve.
Something made me think of Snow Like Ashes, only less focussed on the big wide world and more on the central characters being, well, teenagers. Very #awkward ones. With very difficult family members.
The story follows princess Leontia, the one magickless member of the royal family of Arilloa. Her older brother Herman's a pretty good magic-wielder, but her youngest sibling Isador is a veritable prodigy. Not only can he use the signature telekenisis, he can create monsters out of thin air. He's also just a bit... strange. Not that Leonie cares; she takes him under her wing as she knows what it is to feel like an outcast because of an accident of birth. When Isador, nicknamed Hiss, vanishes from the palace, she's bereft until monsters start appearing across the kingdom. With rebellion stirring and the monsters seemingly fighting against her family, Leonie volunteers to seek out the rebels who must have snatched Hiss to use against them. Taking with her one royal guard, the young and stoic Armand, she sets off only to discover just how many ways a heart can be made to bleed.
No lies,it's the darkness that really drew me in. The "something" wrong with Hiss, the story of his birth and early life told from Leonie's pained point of view was so immersive I could practically see Hiss' creepy creations slithering. You also get that eerie sense of dread seeping through the words; Leonie knows what her family means when they speak ill of Hiss but she can't not love him or feel his rejection like her own. Your heart hurts for her.
When the journey into the wilds began, I did start to wonder a little at the pacing. The getting to know you phase between Leonie and Armand felt a little slow tome, even interspersed with many times of needing to run from monsters. Things were quite introspective, mostly focussed on Leonie's inner monologue and her inability to see... Well, YA romance in action. It was pretty darn interesting though to have a main character who was the object of insta-love rather than suffering from it herself. That made her character all the more curious; she's so cool and distant, not completely naive but so lost in her own sadness that she's unaware of things around her. She's spent her time in denial so much, though it's not the overwhelmingly angsty self-pity kind.
But then when the romance finally worked its way through (after having some side characters to bounce off), it felt like the perfect realistic blooming of teenage love. Not everything hot-n-heavy hormones or enemies-to-lovers, people. Leonie's gradual realisations and coming to terms with actually being allowed to have feelings were an awkward kind of beautiful. Armand may have been a bit of an automaton character-wise, but his courtly love and idealism made him memorable even if Leonie (and the terrifying Hiss) outshone him in my eyes.
I think that's what I loved about this one: emotional intelligence. Not just about romance, but about grief, guilt, duty and denial. Leonie coming to terms with her powers, her emotions and how to just be in a world where she just doesn't quite fit in. She might not do any sword-swinging or learn super-mega magic skills, but she has a quiet strength that made me like her even though she could come across as one of those cold, less likeable heroines early on.
Also: Urgh, realistic depression y'all. You don't see that in every YA novel.
Engaging writing coupled with an unusual romance and a dash of dark fantasy made this one a slow and heartbreaking read. It is more romance-oriented than I'd expected, but in the end that didn't turn out to be a bad thing (says the not-so-into-romance reader). The ending leaves enough open for plenty more heartbreak to come. Well worth checking out if realistic romance in a fantasy land is your thing.
October 23, 2020
THE UNMAGIC TRILOGY ~HISS
BY AMAYA ASH
This YA novel is ready for preorder on amazon.
I received an ARC book by email from Amaya Ash (Author) in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you so much for sending me this amazing book! @amaya.ash.author
Author: AMAYA ASH
Genres:Fantasy, Adventure, YA,Romance.
Book Description:
In Arilloa, the royal family uses their magic to win the respect of the ordinary populace. But Leonie, a princess and second in line to the throne, has a terrible secret: she's barely magic at all. The only person to ever find out her secret is Armand, a boy training to become a Knifecloak, one of the elite castle guards.
Leonie's younger brother Hiss, on the other hand, is a child prodigy with greater powers than anyone else in the family, capable of creating monsters out of thin air. One day Hiss goes missing and resurfaces at the head of a rebellion, using his powers to strike against the country and the crown. Monsters against soldiers, magic against normality. Leonie and Armand must find Hiss and stop him while the monster-driven war rages around them.
This YA novel is ready for preorder on amazon.
https://www.bklnk.com/process.php?q=B... ~ Amazon page
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... ~ Goodreads page
Please let me know your thoughts 💭 in comment section pop
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November 22, 2020
Hiss is a young adult fantasy story and book one of The Unmagic trilogy. In Arilloa the royal family have magical abilities, which they use to gain respect from the non-magical people. The youngest royal child, Isidor, nicknamed Hiss, has exceptional powers and can create colourful monsters, but few people love or understand him, including most of his family.
His teenage sister Leonie is the only one who has the patience to be his friend and companion. But it is not enough and Hiss runs away. He can’t be found, but his monsters start attacking the kingdom and rumours begin of a rebellion.
As the war rages on, it becomes obvious that Hiss, although just a young child, is behind the attacks. Believing that he has been captured and is being forced to send his monsters, Leonie offers to go and rescue him from the enemy. She takes with her just one palace guard, a knifecloak called Armand, and together they set off on a quest to save the kingdom.
I liked the idea of Hiss and his magical monsters they were very colourful and easy to imagine. There is a romance which crosses back and forth between younger teenage and older young adult levels of intimacy which, for me, was a weaker area to this story and might have worked better with lots more tension and promise of more in the next book in the series.
Leonie was a teenager who struggled with maturity and insecurity. She was often a brave adventurer, but her actions in the romantic theme let her down. I thought that there was more room for stronger character development especially after her return to the palace.
Overall I like the magical creatures and their connection to Hiss, but the romantic sub-theme didn’t quite work for me.
His teenage sister Leonie is the only one who has the patience to be his friend and companion. But it is not enough and Hiss runs away. He can’t be found, but his monsters start attacking the kingdom and rumours begin of a rebellion.
As the war rages on, it becomes obvious that Hiss, although just a young child, is behind the attacks. Believing that he has been captured and is being forced to send his monsters, Leonie offers to go and rescue him from the enemy. She takes with her just one palace guard, a knifecloak called Armand, and together they set off on a quest to save the kingdom.
I liked the idea of Hiss and his magical monsters they were very colourful and easy to imagine. There is a romance which crosses back and forth between younger teenage and older young adult levels of intimacy which, for me, was a weaker area to this story and might have worked better with lots more tension and promise of more in the next book in the series.
Leonie was a teenager who struggled with maturity and insecurity. She was often a brave adventurer, but her actions in the romantic theme let her down. I thought that there was more room for stronger character development especially after her return to the palace.
Overall I like the magical creatures and their connection to Hiss, but the romantic sub-theme didn’t quite work for me.
October 1, 2020
Book–Hiss
Author–Amaya Ash
“Hiss” is the first book in the new series launched by Amaya Ash. The series focuses on a kingdom run by people who have magic powers while the rest of the villagers are just ordinary folk. This story starts with Leonie, the princess of the kingdom, trying to do some magic she must have inherited due to her being in the royal family. But she can barely do anything with the powers. So she keeps it a secret so that no one outside the palace will know about it.
On the other hand, her younger brother, Isidor, or as they call him Hiss, is like the polar opposite of his sister. He has magic powers to a degree which no one has seen ever seen before. He creates monsters out of thin air. While everyone fears Hiss, Leonie shows him love like how a mother would show her son, which makes hiss fond of Leonie alone. Then one day, Hiss goes missing and returns with a rebellion to fight off his father for the crown, and the rest is all for you to read.
The book was so striking and gripping that I could not put it down. I enjoyed this magical world the author has created here. Her style of writing is incredible that it makes me fully immersed in the book while also making me not notice how fast time was running. I loved the way the character development is in this book. Leonie, who was considered by most to be weak as she had no power, was the only one brave enough to face her brother. She is like a role model for everyone, telling us that no one can stop us once we set ourselves a goal.
I loved this book and can’t wait to read the remaining books in this trilogy.
Author–Amaya Ash
“Hiss” is the first book in the new series launched by Amaya Ash. The series focuses on a kingdom run by people who have magic powers while the rest of the villagers are just ordinary folk. This story starts with Leonie, the princess of the kingdom, trying to do some magic she must have inherited due to her being in the royal family. But she can barely do anything with the powers. So she keeps it a secret so that no one outside the palace will know about it.
On the other hand, her younger brother, Isidor, or as they call him Hiss, is like the polar opposite of his sister. He has magic powers to a degree which no one has seen ever seen before. He creates monsters out of thin air. While everyone fears Hiss, Leonie shows him love like how a mother would show her son, which makes hiss fond of Leonie alone. Then one day, Hiss goes missing and returns with a rebellion to fight off his father for the crown, and the rest is all for you to read.
The book was so striking and gripping that I could not put it down. I enjoyed this magical world the author has created here. Her style of writing is incredible that it makes me fully immersed in the book while also making me not notice how fast time was running. I loved the way the character development is in this book. Leonie, who was considered by most to be weak as she had no power, was the only one brave enough to face her brother. She is like a role model for everyone, telling us that no one can stop us once we set ourselves a goal.
I loved this book and can’t wait to read the remaining books in this trilogy.
October 2, 2020
Thanks to Amaya Ash for providing me with a copy of Hiss in exchange for an honest review.
"The true power of magic is not to send random objects careening off across the room. The true power of magic is to make ordinary people bow." This is one of my favorite quotes from this book.
This story had excitement and danger while also pulling at your heartstrings. There was enough fantasy elements to keep it interesting but not so much as to confuse or feel overwhelming. The pacing was consistent and the story held my attention. While there is magic and adventure the book centers around the budding relationship of Leonie and Armand. I'm not really a fan of reading romance because often the characters fall in love at first sight all of their actions revolve around a person who basically a stranger. I loved that this didn't happen in Hiss. We experienced Leonie falling in love for the first time, not superficially because he was good looking, but after getting to know him and appreciating him for who he is. I enjoyed the excitement and adventure but my favorite part of the story was the characters. I felt a real attachment to them.
I would recommend this book and I'm looking forward to continuing this series.
"The true power of magic is not to send random objects careening off across the room. The true power of magic is to make ordinary people bow." This is one of my favorite quotes from this book.
This story had excitement and danger while also pulling at your heartstrings. There was enough fantasy elements to keep it interesting but not so much as to confuse or feel overwhelming. The pacing was consistent and the story held my attention. While there is magic and adventure the book centers around the budding relationship of Leonie and Armand. I'm not really a fan of reading romance because often the characters fall in love at first sight all of their actions revolve around a person who basically a stranger. I loved that this didn't happen in Hiss. We experienced Leonie falling in love for the first time, not superficially because he was good looking, but after getting to know him and appreciating him for who he is. I enjoyed the excitement and adventure but my favorite part of the story was the characters. I felt a real attachment to them.
I would recommend this book and I'm looking forward to continuing this series.
October 10, 2020
I have no criticism for this series so far. I find the characters to be very realistic in their roles, personalities, and development. Herman being the first son is egotistical but also strong in his beliefs as he can be no other way in order to run the kingdom properly. There is no margin for error or self-doubt. Leonie, the heroine of this series, is the second child and a disappointment as she has fallen short of expectations given her magic is not at the same level as her brothers. She wrestled with self-doubt at first but finds herself and discovers what truly makes her strong. Before she does however, her parents feel the need to have a third child—Hiss. Hiss was handed so much unnatural power since birth that he simply has no empathy for those “normal” people who lack magic.
Hiss is our antagonist as he unwittingly destroys the world with his unnatural powers of creating monsters from his ten year old imagination. Leonie is sent into the kingdom certain that she will find him a captive and not willingly using his powers to do harm, and as her companion she takes a guard sworn to protect her family: Armond. Armond is also a very established character as he struggles with his own internal emotions towards a woman out of his reach, with a secret mission he keeps stoically hidden.
These character’s uniqueness pared with the setting created a riveting YA read that kept me hooked throughout the story. I am looking forward to the sequel!
Hiss is our antagonist as he unwittingly destroys the world with his unnatural powers of creating monsters from his ten year old imagination. Leonie is sent into the kingdom certain that she will find him a captive and not willingly using his powers to do harm, and as her companion she takes a guard sworn to protect her family: Armond. Armond is also a very established character as he struggles with his own internal emotions towards a woman out of his reach, with a secret mission he keeps stoically hidden.
These character’s uniqueness pared with the setting created a riveting YA read that kept me hooked throughout the story. I am looking forward to the sequel!
October 8, 2020
In this universe we get surprises we never expect. To be quite frank "Hiss" fell under the good surprise category. Considering the fact that fantasy fiction is one of my favorite genres, I’ve read uncountable books related to magic over the past few years. Yet, this author managed to make a storyline with certain carefully written, minor details that made this book completely unique. All I can say is that this book caught my attention from the very first chapter. It felt like I was right there in the book. I laughed and cried at so many points in this book. Amaya Ash has written every part with the perfect rendition of words that kept my curiosity turning the pages quickly with a mixture of emotions. This is truly a book that deserves recognition. This book definitely deserved a 5/5 and I would recommend those who love reading fantasy to read this. The book was written beautifully and I cannot wait to read the sequel to this :)
February 27, 2021
The cover just captured me and I had to buy this book. I really enjoyed the read up to the second to last chapter and the ending. The world-building and the twists were fantastic. It is the story of a princess who goes out of her castle with only the help of a palace guard to find her younger brother who has been captured by the enemy of her people. The brother has the magic and he is not using it for good. The princess does amazing things to try to find the brother she loved. I especially loved the other girls with the princess' face. But the ending was too sad for me. Still, it's well worth the read and I recommend you try it.
October 1, 2020
I was lucky enough to score an ARC of Hiss. As a young teen, I loved fantasy novels, and would devour them as fast as I could get my hands on them. As I grew older, I stopped reading fantasy, moving on towards romance.
Reading Hiss helped me get in touch with that younger version of myself that believed in magic and other worlds. The writing is superb, the imagery excellent. It reminds me very much of Robin McKinley's work (one of my favourite fantasy-type authors.)
If you love fantasy and adventure, I would highly recommend you read this! ❤
Reading Hiss helped me get in touch with that younger version of myself that believed in magic and other worlds. The writing is superb, the imagery excellent. It reminds me very much of Robin McKinley's work (one of my favourite fantasy-type authors.)
If you love fantasy and adventure, I would highly recommend you read this! ❤
October 3, 2020
Great read
I was asked by Amaya Ash to ARC her first novel. I must say that this book was a treat to read.
It releases on the 1st October and is a great debut novel... difficult to put down.
The story is about a princess who is born to a family with supernatural powers except she is the only one who hasn't got any. She embarks in a self growth journey where she finds her selfworth and true love.
This is a book for those who love romance and fantasy all wrapped in one. Hope you give it a go and enjoy the book as much as I did.
I was asked by Amaya Ash to ARC her first novel. I must say that this book was a treat to read.
It releases on the 1st October and is a great debut novel... difficult to put down.
The story is about a princess who is born to a family with supernatural powers except she is the only one who hasn't got any. She embarks in a self growth journey where she finds her selfworth and true love.
This is a book for those who love romance and fantasy all wrapped in one. Hope you give it a go and enjoy the book as much as I did.
November 2, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
I loved this book so much. I was hooked throughout the whole thing and couldn’t put it down. It was an emotional roller coaster that I ended up finishing within a day because I just couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what happened to the characters. I fully intend on reading the rest of the series and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Highly recommend!
I loved this book so much. I was hooked throughout the whole thing and couldn’t put it down. It was an emotional roller coaster that I ended up finishing within a day because I just couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what happened to the characters. I fully intend on reading the rest of the series and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Highly recommend!
October 21, 2020
This is a wonderful start to a series, it’s a story of family & honor, and the consequences of the path chosen! Princess Leonie of Arilloa, is born of royalty but without magic powers. The adventure begins when her younger brother, Hiss, goes missing and later becomes head of the rebellion. Amaya has created a magical realm of monsters, a heroine, family dynamics, and a battle of power!
October 1, 2020
I’m already itching for book two! Amaya Ash drew me in and wouldn’t let go. Action, family, love, monsters, and everyday magic! Highly relatable characters in a larger than life fantasy story with familiar tropes and fresh new ideas combined. I WILL be reading anything Ash throws at me next!
November 5, 2020
I got this book through voracious readers only. I was intrigued by the title and the subject. The book was very exciting and kept me on my toes. I couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed it and can’t edit to read the rest of the series!!
October 18, 2020
This was a fantastic YA fantasy read with some very likeable characters! I couldn't put it down and read it in a few hours! Can't wait to see what happens in book 2!
November 19, 2020
3.5 stars
January 15, 2021
It didn't take me long to love this book. I am anxiously waiting to see what comes next. Magic and monsters and war and love what more could a sci-fi/fantasy lover ask for?
Read
January 7, 2021"Hiss" by Amaya Ash is the first book in the Unmagic Trilogy which is a fantasy series.
I've never read fantasy and didn't know what to expect but I did enjoy this experience.
🐾"Hiss" is a light read which I badly needed after reading a book like Inferno😅.
🐾The plot of the book was interesting.Its characters were nicely developed.
🐾This book is a mix of adventure and romance which I don't really read because it makes me uncomfortable but it was cute.It was adventurous.
🐾It flowed smoothly.
🐾You felt like SMILING, like "real", broad smiles stretched across your face!
It held your attention
It was lively, it was vibrant.
🐾I loved the "use" of the protagonist's magic!! It was🔥❤. She did teach you some important lessons!
🐾The uncomfortable bits didn't last long and the other minute I was in the adventure again, so it was nice.
🐾At the end I was literally like you CAN'T do that!!😂 because it didn't actually end! I was curious what happened next, but for that, you gotta read the second book of the trilogy.
.
✨Story:Arilloa is a land where the royalty having magical powers rule over the common populace.Leonie, the protagonist, is a princess born with almost no magic whereas her brother Hiss has power greater than anyone else. He goes missing and one day appears as the head of rebellion against the King. Leonie leaves the castle with a knight to stop Hiss's monsters and save the people.
.
✨Criticism:🐾It would've been better if the characters were in early tweens rather than teens.🐾The book cover is beautiful but doesn't go well with the book.The story is VIBRANT, the cover gives 'gloomy' vibes.
.
✨Fav: "And the human brain, afterall: how incomparably gifted were we?How
magical, compared to every other species on earth? Because what could a rabbit
conclude,looking at the invention of the wheel, other than magic? The ghost in the mind, the indomitable me, that could send invisible thoughts slithering through the lump of immovable matter inside of the skull: the mystery nobody
had ever understood. We were living magic."
.
✨The ebook was sent by the author Amaya Ash. I really enjoyed it. Best of luck to the author for her future endeavors💛
I've never read fantasy and didn't know what to expect but I did enjoy this experience.
🐾"Hiss" is a light read which I badly needed after reading a book like Inferno😅.
🐾The plot of the book was interesting.Its characters were nicely developed.
🐾This book is a mix of adventure and romance which I don't really read because it makes me uncomfortable but it was cute.It was adventurous.
🐾It flowed smoothly.
🐾You felt like SMILING, like "real", broad smiles stretched across your face!
It held your attention
It was lively, it was vibrant.
🐾I loved the "use" of the protagonist's magic!! It was🔥❤. She did teach you some important lessons!
🐾The uncomfortable bits didn't last long and the other minute I was in the adventure again, so it was nice.
🐾At the end I was literally like you CAN'T do that!!😂 because it didn't actually end! I was curious what happened next, but for that, you gotta read the second book of the trilogy.
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✨Story:Arilloa is a land where the royalty having magical powers rule over the common populace.Leonie, the protagonist, is a princess born with almost no magic whereas her brother Hiss has power greater than anyone else. He goes missing and one day appears as the head of rebellion against the King. Leonie leaves the castle with a knight to stop Hiss's monsters and save the people.
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✨Criticism:🐾It would've been better if the characters were in early tweens rather than teens.🐾The book cover is beautiful but doesn't go well with the book.The story is VIBRANT, the cover gives 'gloomy' vibes.
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✨Fav: "And the human brain, afterall: how incomparably gifted were we?How
magical, compared to every other species on earth? Because what could a rabbit
conclude,looking at the invention of the wheel, other than magic? The ghost in the mind, the indomitable me, that could send invisible thoughts slithering through the lump of immovable matter inside of the skull: the mystery nobody
had ever understood. We were living magic."
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✨The ebook was sent by the author Amaya Ash. I really enjoyed it. Best of luck to the author for her future endeavors💛
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