Say the right words in just the right way, and step through a mirror into Mana Valley. A pocket dimension hidden on Oriceran. Are you in need of high tech wands, shifter apps, services for the dark internet or other magical technology? Well, take a chance and enter. All that and more can be found here. Could there be a competitor on the horizon? Fran Jackson is a clever witch with big dreams of being a magi-tech entrepreneur and the know how to make things happen. But a dark past buried in her family's legacy may get in the way. Magical monsters have begun crossing through the mirrors and attacking Fran's employees. Something dark is stirring under Mana Valley and what it wants could transform the world in terrible ways. Will Fran and the old lineage of Evermores be able to put a stop to it before it's too late for both worlds?
Okay, I'm a late bloomer who's a big DC comics fan and spent my childhood summers on the Jersey shore but I was born under a wandering star and have lived in different parts of America ever since. That's enough about me. Need to feel inspired today? Looking for something to make you root for an ordinary hero? I'm all about that in everything I write.
I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.
There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.
Well you know, like, it's pretty teenaged, like...stuff. I mean..I know! Right?! Right? Like, I am done. Chirpy, and blond to the roots. Seriously, I believe it is for teenagers.
Before I begin my review of THIS book, let me be clear on one point… Martha Carr and Michael Anderle are sadists! I’m serious. Prepare to be drawn in, engrossed in an amazing story and then to be left HANGING as the volume you are reading comes to an unexpected and sudden ending.
Of course, with books like this one that launch a new series, they are like patient spiders spinning a web. THIS book comes to a nice neat ending, which, while still a bit of a cliffhanger, doesn’t torture you as future volumes are sure to do.
That being said, the pain is undoubtedly worth the pleasure as this new series amply demonstrates. I am, as always, in awe of their writing and story-telling talents as they continue to expand the Oriceran mythos. I also very much enjoyed the way they have interwoven many of the Oriceran narratives together by bringing in several secondary characters from other series and them at the forefront as lead characters here.
So as much as it pains me to encourage these two torturers in their work, it would pain me far more greatly if their tales were not a part of my world. So please, pick up this book and ENJOY!
I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this series in the Oriceran Universe, leads on from the previous series - which I should have realised it would, as my reading list is a chronological one! D'oh! Lol
Anyhoo, even though it's set far away from the Heron Family, I was delighted to see the Dwarf character, Gruffbar, appearing in this series. I really enjoyed his rather cynical personality, and his love of his Harley Davidson.
One of my secret wishes, as as teen, was to ride one of them - sadly, still a wish not fulfilled! Lol
This book set the scene for the start of this series, and I'm very much enjoying getting to know the whole team of Mana Wave Industries. I really look forwards to seeing how Fran, and her motley crew, will continue with their rather innovative tech and magic combos.
I like that this series has that same kind of Cozy Urban vibe, and can't wait to see how the Mana Wave Team cope with all that seems to be heading their way, so I'm going to go straight on to book two of this series: 'Magic Ambush'!
So I'll start reading it, after I finish reviewing this first book, and I'll catch you on the flip side, once I've finished this second book, to let you know what I think of it all!
This is definitely not romance but it is a mystery. There is Fran who is not the heroine I was expecting. She is really like the stereotypical dumb blonde. I feel for her because she has some good people behind her that she picks up like little ducklings but there are some powers in play whom want to use her. I do not know if she will be able to know whom is on her side or not in this next book. There are some characters I adore and some wished they had a personality with how mundane they were.
Overall I thought this was well developed and the characters were great. The storyline kept me reading this book and could not put it down.
I appreciate this author writing a clean book. I don’t really understand the desire for some authors to include profanity. This book is clean of profanity and sexual content and is suitable for any age.
The main character has special abilities that give her a technical edge in this fascinating parallel world. She’s a special kind of creature that some hunt, but she’s hiding in plain sight.
The character development and world building was done well. I look forward to reading more.
WOW!! Pulled me in and didn’t let go until right to the very end. Loved the storyline! It kind of makes me think of how I don’t always fit in to the world I live in. It was very interesting to see how others around Fran filled the spaces she didn’t fit and helped her to become better at what she does and does well at. Bring on book 2, as it will be wonderful to see how her tech brings about change within the secret Evermore community.
This was a cute story about a very bubbly girl, Fran, with many magical ideas and computer coding skills. She uses her unique magic and computer coding knowledge to make her crazy ideas come to life, but the evil empire wanting to kill all happiness want her for her uniqueness too...
Took a long time to get fun enough to read for fun, but after more than 30% read it did. I gave up at 38% read.
Ha. I liked this one, it was witty, amusing, and of course interesting. I'm certainly going to read more in this series. I've always liked the stories of folks trying to build things, especially when those things are specialty items that don't/can't/won't exist, and this story is a whole lot of that, a bit of snark, some impossible things, and of course, magic, who wouldn't like that combination? Great fun here folks, go grab a copy, and have at it.
Loved the characters, their coming together to build a business...with enemies in the background that they know nothing about other than they have bad guys popping up here and there. I think that there is a lot of promise in this series and this book gives you just a hint of the adventures to come...definitely the potential for another epic journey from these two amazing authors...keep an eye out for more!
Fran is trying to start up her new company and is looking for like minded people to join her. Her new crew turns out to be a mishmash of talents that work well together. She also carries a secret of her magic being different than others. The storyline in this series is great and really holds your interest and the characters are all lots if fun.
I rarely say this about any book, but I really could not put this book down. Just one more chapter, or maybe two. A fun read with quirky but interesting characters. When you read this book, be prepared because you WILL want to read the series.
Fran had dreams she would nit let go. Her run into other magicals, criminals, ex-coms etc gives for a suspenseful read. Although parts of the tell may be changeling, it has such high points that it is well worth the read, which leaves the reader yearning for the next book. 😉
This book started out cheesy and scattered. I almost put it down after the first few chapters. It did get a little better towards the end and I'm hoping that the next books are definitely better. I've read quite a lot of this author's books and was really surprised this one just wasn't up to her speed. The storyline is good but the presentation needs work.
I am so excited about this magical kick@$$ series, where a diverse group of friends incidentally will, hopefully, save the world. It is imaginative, intriguing, and the principles of harmonious relationships between a variety of creatures. Enjoy!
I loved reading this story with a frustrated woman who becomes a magic entrepreneur. As she starts her business she teams up with others who have also become frustrated. With magic as a base they start building a form for capturing magical criminals.
Just like all the other books from the Oriceran Universe this book was great! I look forward to reading the rest of this series to see how Fran and her friends continue their adventures. I love these authors!!
This is a book I just happened on but had to read when I saw Martha Carr and Michael Anderle were the authors. Boy am I thrilled I did. Great characters, adventures and story await you. Read this and never forget the author notes!
Michael Anderle and Martha Carr make a great team. I always enjoy the characters and plot lines. This series is no different in that regard. I hope to see mor3 soon.
To be totally honest, I did not finish this book. I made it to page 63 and decided enough was enough. This is to slow moving for me. In the first 63 pages, nothing exciting happens. This book made me bored and sleepy. I would recommend that you read this for yourself and form your own opinion.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
Hmnn..not for me. I enjoy magic, paranormal etc but this felt like it was written for young readers. There was no interesting hook in the first 20% to keep me wanting to find out what happens. I was bored to tears.
I'm always interested in reading another book that involves Oriceran. This one doesn't disappoint. Stormey had me in hysterics with his antics. Thank you. I can't wait to see what comes next.
I liked iy ok. I found it a bit all over the place at times pretty much like the main character. She may have a similar mentality to me. Difficult to focus at times but trying to move forward. I like the cast of characters with her.
After reading the Drow series I was expecting something good. OMG Fran is so annoying... not teenage goofy just dumb. I just can't handle her stupidity. Good luck to those of you who can possibly make it to the second book!?!?!
I loved this book. The main characters are misfits from many walks of life, both human and magical. The plot is easily followed, and the story is great. I definitely recommend this book!