Kezia

by T.J Velliquette

Spirits exist all around us. The Maravillas de Madera Circus attracts many because my Abuela can hear them. She uses that ability to read palms and tarot cards. The ones that stay behind usually have two motives. Spending time watching over the family they lost or hurting the living they despise.
The women in my line bear the responsibility to communicate with them. It is a gift that is passed from mother to daughter when we are of age to be trained.
It is now my time, and I am scared. Because I have seen what it does to my Abuela, she is one of the strongest. Soon Abuela will give her magic to me. But I do not think she is ready to let it go.

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2021

Reviews

[Jennelle Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kezia is a different genre of a book that I have read before. I'm not sure where to place it in, paranormal historical ya fantasy or spicy thriller. It was a wonderful mix of them all. It starts out as paranormal ya but veers into the spicy territory quickly. There are so many characters that I want to know more about, I did not want this book to end. And the twist was something that caught me completely off guard, I usually can see it coming. Definitely going to reread to try to spot the breadcrumbs.

[Mellisa Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the world of Maravillas de Madera. So many great characters that you quickly lose yourself in the story. Manya was my favorite side character. I want to know more about her and hope that there are more books coming soon. The ending was a big twist that I did not expect and some of the chapters were spicier than I thought this book would be but I did not mind.

[Nessa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different take on magic that I was intrigued to read. The magic of communicating with souls was fascinating. How the author detailed what happens after death made me want to know more. There were a lot of spicy chapters that I am not ashamed to say I reread a few times. The characters were well developed and I wish that I could have had a few chapters told in their POV. But the cliffhanger makes me hopeful that there will be more books in this series. This was a great spooky read and I liked the added spice.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically enjoy thrillers and was looking for something along those lines for my next read. I found an ad for this book and thought it looked interesting. It was a lot more than what I expected and this book is definitely for 18 and over. Some chapters hit me really hard, it deals with assault, but overall this book is worth diving into.

[Michelle Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a very different take on magic or spirits than I have read before. The characters and scenes were very developed. I found it a bit slow which is why I only gave it a 3 but it is definitely still engaging.

[W.L. Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in a dark family saga that will have you wanting the second book immediately. Pay heed to the content warnings, and buckle in. Filled with magic, greed, power, lust, betrayal, spirits, and love, you won't be able to stop yourself. What a story!

[Nicole Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the cover and when I read the synopsis I had to try it out. The book is told from two different points of view Kezia and her Abuela Niedra. I like this format because you can see why the characters act the way that they do. The book has heat and a few chapters that may cause triggers, but the story was beautifully written. Rich details that kept me in the world the author created. It looks like this is going to be a series so I will keep an eye out for the next book.

[Allison Barrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, it was a different magic system that I’ve never read about. I can’t wait to read the sequel and see what happens to Kezia, Isabel and Abuela.

[Yolanda Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read of many twists, the supernatural, and sex that will singe the eyes.

[Keegan Eichelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical

This story pulls you into the magic and doesn't let you go. It follows Kezia and her Abuela, two characters who I kept wanting to know more and more about, and their special connection to spirits and a traveling circus caravan. The descriptions in this story transport you right into the heart of it, and you fall in love with the characters quickly, watching Kezia grow into a woman before your very eyes. It's special and, sometimes, intense. Definitely give this book a try if you're on the fence.

[Michelle R · Rating 5 out of 5]

magic, family and deception

OH MY GOODNESS!! So damn good. It was a slow start but for very good reason, Kezia will take you on an amazing ride. Highs, lows, tears, smiles, family love & trust and family deceit. Who can Kezia, the main character and young girl, believe. As she explores with you her own purpose and becomes a woman in the process, you are pulled in. You care about these characters. Some you love and some you hate….but those feelings don’t always stay the same but the end. EXCELLENT STORY!

[Cara Villareal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kezia is an interesting read. The world that this author created is thrilling, mysterious, and sad. It pulls the curtain of what life is like for people who work at Maravillas de Madera. When Kezia describes life with her Abuelo (grandfather) it is different from the life she lives with her Abuela (grandmother). Death changes things for a lot of the characters and how each of them copes with their grief gives you glimpses into who they are. Overall a very good read.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me into the world of Maravillas de Madera. I could smell the popcorn and hear the circus games in my mind. The casually brutal way that the gadjo (outsiders) treat the characters is sometimes hard to read. I wish that their lives stayed inside the bubble of their safe circus haven. When they travel outside of it, life is not as beautiful as the circus Kezia loves being a part of. The book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger but is still enjoyable.

[Addy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book put me in a world that was fascinating, sad, and a little scary. I would have loved to have a few chapters told from some of the side characters' POV because the author does a really good job of creating people you want to know more about. Gille and Manya are the two that intrigued me the most. Their backstories are short but so sad, the things that happened in their life to bring them to Maravillas de Madera make me feel a lot of empathy for them.

[Felicia Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never look at a psychic the same when I visit one again. The author describes communicating with spirits as a blessing and a curse. The rituals in the chapter where Abuela Niedra prepares for her readings are very detailed and I could almost hear the spirits communicating with her like Kezia. Prepare for unexpected twists, but love Maravillas de Madera.

[DebbieDoesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn't have enough reviews and I think that is absolutely criminal.

It's a beautiful but heartbreaking story. A story about a beautiful and strong, young girl coming into her own and finding out her family has several horrible secrets and a grandmother who refused to learn from those secrets.

Trigger warnings- sexual assault

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish that there were more chapters with Kezia and her Abuelo. The relationship between them was so special. Her Abuela is not someone I enjoy at all, that character is pure poison. It is a very good book but I hope the next one has less of her Abuela.

[Lesli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best books create characters that stay with you long after you finish. Kezia is someone that stood with me, her pain, her heartbreak, and the gift that she has to accept even though it changes her in ways that she can not ever recover from. Be prepared for that.

[Bren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception is the theme of Kezia. Her Abuela keeps things from her that cause everything to spiral. She hides things for what she believes is her own good, but keeping the truth from her only brings more pain.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read that is a little spooky and sprinkled with spice.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Circus, magic, spirits, lots to love in here.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, good world-building, and interesting characters. Kezia and her Abuela have a difficult relationship and the different POV helped the reader to understand why.

[Daya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect the twist at the end and I can't wait to read the next book to see what is next for Kezia and her Abuela.

[Shelly Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to introduce yourself to an author. But let me start from the beginning.

When I initially picked up this book, it was a slow start. Not in a bad way, just VERY descriptive with a lot of pieces to a puzzle. There were secrets looming and things at play, but the back story was necessary. This is

Kezia is a teenager who is destined to inherit her Abuela's power. Powers that she isn't not fully familiar with. Her family runs and manages a traveling circus. For the beginning of this story, we are with the circus as it is coming to it's last destination for the season. Kezia is going to go through some changes, and secrets have to start to unfold, to allow her to be ready for what is to come.

Abuela Niedra isn't ready to let go of her powers. But she can't deny that the time is coming, and soon. So many secrets she's holding on to. She is worried that Kezia won't be able to forgive her if she knows everything. But she needs Kezia to trust her to transfer her powers and teach her.

When the circus ends, it's time to go back to Lake Michigan. This is where this book is really going to start picking up speed. By the time I got to the last chapter, I didn't realize how long it had been since I looked away. Because it was impossible to put down.

**READ**YOUR**TRIGGER**WARNINGS**

[Jasmin E Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Read August 2022 - love this book. It was the first T.J. Velliquette novel I read and it got me hooked on her writing, I read this dark coming into your power read in the thick of dark stormy winter in 2022 it had the right amount of twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I am rereading in March 2024 so its back on my TBR read Again.

Jasmin E Reads

[CR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this one the entire book club DNFed. It just wasn't for us. The writing didn't work out and the book was fairly confusing.

[Books_n_critters · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! The way it goes back and forth between points of view was the perfect way to tell this story. The end really threw me for a loop! Highly recommended read!!

[Jenna E. Faas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovers of paranormal fantasy might enjoy this novel! This book was very descriptive and the premise of the novel was interesting. There were many twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Throughout the book I was unsure who the main antagonist was and the ending of the book was surprising. If you enjoy complicated family drama, communicating with the spirit world, and unpredictable plots, check out Kezia!

*Trigger Warning* this book does contains scenes of rape, abuse/ violence, and sex.

[Marianne Antonichuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable book as you read more things come about learning about nierda when she was younger and finding about the magic it was a fun story to read as well had the triggers learning about spirits and who father her who it made you keep reading to find out all the answers and it gives all the answers through the story I really loved this and will be looking for more