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Once We Soared
Centuries ago, before the birth of the Renaissance waged a war to silence magic, Joanna knew her powers were an integral part of her. She could transfigure herself into animal form as easily as drawing a breath.
She could have stopped the war from ever happening but now she’s been kidnapped and brought to the year 2048. It’s here that the last Magic Ones have been collected, stripped of their abilities, and are close to extinction.
Without the use of her powers, Joanna must find a way to stop the fight and free her people. Her only hope is a handsome young hostage who has figured out how to reconnect with the supernatural. What will be the cost of giving magic a second chance?
She could have stopped the war from ever happening but now she’s been kidnapped and brought to the year 2048. It’s here that the last Magic Ones have been collected, stripped of their abilities, and are close to extinction.
Without the use of her powers, Joanna must find a way to stop the fight and free her people. Her only hope is a handsome young hostage who has figured out how to reconnect with the supernatural. What will be the cost of giving magic a second chance?
420 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2019
16 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Corinne Beenfield
3 books17 followersCorinne Beenfield loves writing, which considering that you are reading this, makes quite a bit of sense. She shares her home at the base of a canyon with her three sons and daughter.
Often she enjoys finding a random dirt road she's never been down, then stopping at some splotch of Earth to explore with her children as long as there is daylight.
She mainly writes women's literature with magical realism, and if you want to know when her upcoming books will be released, you can sign up for her newsletter at:
https://corinnebeenfield.blogspot.com...
Often she enjoys finding a random dirt road she's never been down, then stopping at some splotch of Earth to explore with her children as long as there is daylight.
She mainly writes women's literature with magical realism, and if you want to know when her upcoming books will be released, you can sign up for her newsletter at:
https://corinnebeenfield.blogspot.com...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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October 4, 2020Magic is real. Magic has always been real. But centuries ago a war was waged to silence it. Now captive and nearly extinct, the last Magic Ones must figure out how to give magic a second chance.
Excerpt from Once We Soared:
In a town full of corsets and heavy purses, it was the paint on Leo’s hands and mischief in his smile that first whispered I had discovered a rarity. For nearly a decade, we ran barefoot down cobblestone streets, the merchants shaking their fists after us and complaining that we had no brains in our heads. “Maybe,” I remember overhearing Mama defending us once. “But they have wind in their hair, which is exactly the sort of thing that the best of friendships are made of.”
Eventually, Leo and I learned to behave long enough to put on shoes and smile without letting our whole hearts show, but when I look at him, I still see a splatter of freckles across his seafoam-white skin and fancy pants his father had tailored for him, all set to get fresh tears in the knees. Since then, I’ve met what seems to be a million lovely people, all kind and fascinating in their own way, but not one of them could ever replace my Leo. Adults talk about their friends like a good wine or joyous festival, a rich luxury, but passing. To me, Leo is all the things I love most and couldn’t possibly live without. Black soil in the garden, pure water, and crystal sunlight. Never in my life could I make a choice that would mean Leo wouldn’t be in it.
Which is exactly why, I realized, he could never know my secret.
Excerpt from Once We Soared:
In a town full of corsets and heavy purses, it was the paint on Leo’s hands and mischief in his smile that first whispered I had discovered a rarity. For nearly a decade, we ran barefoot down cobblestone streets, the merchants shaking their fists after us and complaining that we had no brains in our heads. “Maybe,” I remember overhearing Mama defending us once. “But they have wind in their hair, which is exactly the sort of thing that the best of friendships are made of.”
Eventually, Leo and I learned to behave long enough to put on shoes and smile without letting our whole hearts show, but when I look at him, I still see a splatter of freckles across his seafoam-white skin and fancy pants his father had tailored for him, all set to get fresh tears in the knees. Since then, I’ve met what seems to be a million lovely people, all kind and fascinating in their own way, but not one of them could ever replace my Leo. Adults talk about their friends like a good wine or joyous festival, a rich luxury, but passing. To me, Leo is all the things I love most and couldn’t possibly live without. Black soil in the garden, pure water, and crystal sunlight. Never in my life could I make a choice that would mean Leo wouldn’t be in it.
Which is exactly why, I realized, he could never know my secret.
November 16, 2020
I wasn’t expecting the turns this story took me on! It starts out in Italy back in the mid 1400’s from Joanna’s perspective and then alternates to different, distinct narratives in the future. You get to “discover” who the speakers are as you read.
I’ve read a couple of books by this author and I love how even though her books are usually sci-fi/fantasy, her characters are very real and relatable. Her take-away messages are just beautiful. One of the book’s main themes was the importance of appreciating the beauty of this world we live in. This quote has stuck with me:
“It is part of your childhood that you’ve never lost, but that everyone else has. You see the wonder in everything. Try as they may, they can’t crowd out their busy ‘important’ thoughts just to relish in something so simple as the beauty of a raindrop.”
It was a wonderful, fast paced story (once the narratives and times start switching, the pages really fly), that I would recommend to anyone!
I’ve read a couple of books by this author and I love how even though her books are usually sci-fi/fantasy, her characters are very real and relatable. Her take-away messages are just beautiful. One of the book’s main themes was the importance of appreciating the beauty of this world we live in. This quote has stuck with me:
“It is part of your childhood that you’ve never lost, but that everyone else has. You see the wonder in everything. Try as they may, they can’t crowd out their busy ‘important’ thoughts just to relish in something so simple as the beauty of a raindrop.”
It was a wonderful, fast paced story (once the narratives and times start switching, the pages really fly), that I would recommend to anyone!
October 10, 2020
The writing pulls you in and the writing keeps you there!
“”This is magic,” I utter. For what is magic but finding the steel to your flint? The one who can spark something inside you that no one else can?”
This book is magic! I was pulled in very quickly and love the various viewpoints throughout the book.
I first read The Oceans Daughter (just found out there is another book in the making for that series, so excited) and loved the good clean romance with just enough history to intrigue and educate me. Once We Soared also did not disappoint and now I am excited for the opportunity to read a third book I recently learned about also by this incredible author and Whitney Award nominee!
For well written clean romance I highly recommend books by Cori Beenfield! I would happily recommend her books to my 15 year old daughter!
“”This is magic,” I utter. For what is magic but finding the steel to your flint? The one who can spark something inside you that no one else can?”
This book is magic! I was pulled in very quickly and love the various viewpoints throughout the book.
I first read The Oceans Daughter (just found out there is another book in the making for that series, so excited) and loved the good clean romance with just enough history to intrigue and educate me. Once We Soared also did not disappoint and now I am excited for the opportunity to read a third book I recently learned about also by this incredible author and Whitney Award nominee!
For well written clean romance I highly recommend books by Cori Beenfield! I would happily recommend her books to my 15 year old daughter!
November 25, 2020
Well, that was amazing. About 1/3 of the way in I got really hooked.
Is Thanksgiving tomorrow? Yes.
Do I have a ton to do? Yes.
Do I have three children? Yes.
Did I abandon all sense of responsibility to neglect everything else and just finish this book? Another yes. Ding ding ding! You guessed it. Winner.
It was SO GOOD. I had to know what happened. And truth be told, the authors note at the end made the whole book for me. It just made it that much better. But don’t spoil it for yourself. Read it after the book.
Go read it!
(Also, this would make the best movie! With Liam Neeson as Gadian!)
Is Thanksgiving tomorrow? Yes.
Do I have a ton to do? Yes.
Do I have three children? Yes.
Did I abandon all sense of responsibility to neglect everything else and just finish this book? Another yes. Ding ding ding! You guessed it. Winner.
It was SO GOOD. I had to know what happened. And truth be told, the authors note at the end made the whole book for me. It just made it that much better. But don’t spoil it for yourself. Read it after the book.
Go read it!
(Also, this would make the best movie! With Liam Neeson as Gadian!)
October 11, 2020
This book connects the past, future and Earth in a beautiful way! I appreciated the imagery the author creates regarding the natural part of our world. It made me want to find a peaceful field to spend my days in. Not only does the author create a wonderful visuals, but also sends small messages throughout the story that connect with real life challenges. Plus, the added in bonus of MAGIC makes this book a must read.
November 28, 2020
Sad to see it end ❤️
It felt like I personally knew every character and was sad for the story to end. An excellent read, I look forward to reading more of Corrine’s books!
It felt like I personally knew every character and was sad for the story to end. An excellent read, I look forward to reading more of Corrine’s books!
February 9, 2021
I feel like this was a beautifully written story. I always struggle with time travel as a plot line because there's always some aspect that doesn't quite make sense, but overall worth the read.
November 16, 2020
A story of discovery and connection
An incredibly well-written book with a gripping and suspenseful plot. A story about discovery, magic, conquering over trials, and love. The author does an impeccable job at helping you imagine the characters
and their emotions. I was so impressed by the creativity and historical references throughout the book. I would highly recommend it!
An incredibly well-written book with a gripping and suspenseful plot. A story about discovery, magic, conquering over trials, and love. The author does an impeccable job at helping you imagine the characters
and their emotions. I was so impressed by the creativity and historical references throughout the book. I would highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews