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Urban Magick & Folklore #2
Blood so Red
Fairy tales often have grisly endings …
Fairy tales don’t always go by the book either. Cherie, the Charming Princess, rescued Jack, her sleeping prince, but she didn’t receive her happily ever after.
Jack is distant, the city is in turmoil, and Cherie’s made new friends, but new enemies, too.
And all the while, the Evil Queen is watching, scheming, and waiting for her chance to strike.
Fairy tales don’t always go by the book either. Cherie, the Charming Princess, rescued Jack, her sleeping prince, but she didn’t receive her happily ever after.
Jack is distant, the city is in turmoil, and Cherie’s made new friends, but new enemies, too.
And all the while, the Evil Queen is watching, scheming, and waiting for her chance to strike.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2022
62 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
C. Gockel
67 books572 followersC. Gockel got her start writing fanfiction, and she is not ashamed! Much. She received emails, messages and reviews from her fans telling her she should 'do this professionally'. She didn't; because she is a coward and life as a digital designer, copywriter and coder is more dependable. But in the end, her husband's nagging wore her down: "You could be the next '50 Shades of Gray' and I could retire!" Unfortunately, the author isn't much for writing smut. She is sad about this; she'd love for her husband to be able to retire and just work for her so she could nag him.
At the moment, Ms. Gockel is working on the next installment of her Archangel Project series.
Ms. Gockel loves to hear from readers. She can be reached by email at: cgockel.publishing at gmail.com
Her Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/CGockelWrites
At the moment, Ms. Gockel is working on the next installment of her Archangel Project series.
Ms. Gockel loves to hear from readers. She can be reached by email at: cgockel.publishing at gmail.com
Her Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/CGockelWrites
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 28, 2022
More folklore, magick, and GRENDEL :D
This is the second book in the Urban Magick and Folklore series.
This book was not at all what I expected, which was both refreshing and a little disappointing.
The disappointing: in book 1, the romance subplot seemed rather important. It wasn't the main focus, but it affected the plot. I was expecting that trend to continue in book 2. Instead, it was more of a footnote to the rest of the story. An afterthought. This isn't a negative of the story--unless you're expecting it to be a bigger part. So having that expectation of "the romance is super minor" going in is helpful.
Beyond that, I really enjoyed this book! It was absolutely delightful getting to spend time in Grendel's head. I adore Grendel. She is such a great character.
Cherie had to grow too, and I really loved seeing her understanding and use of her magic unfold. It's such a unique ability, and the exploration of the benefits and negatives made for a fascinating theme of the book.
There was a ton of delving into even MORE folklore, and that was just as fun as with book 1. Gockel's love of folklore and mythology is clear, and it was really cool learning about folklore I'd never heard of before.
There were several twists I totally wasn't expecting, and I am really curious how the next book in the series will go, given that this one ended nowhere near where I was expecting.
This is the second book in the Urban Magick and Folklore series.
This book was not at all what I expected, which was both refreshing and a little disappointing.
The disappointing: in book 1, the romance subplot seemed rather important. It wasn't the main focus, but it affected the plot. I was expecting that trend to continue in book 2. Instead, it was more of a footnote to the rest of the story. An afterthought. This isn't a negative of the story--unless you're expecting it to be a bigger part. So having that expectation of "the romance is super minor" going in is helpful.
Beyond that, I really enjoyed this book! It was absolutely delightful getting to spend time in Grendel's head. I adore Grendel. She is such a great character.
Cherie had to grow too, and I really loved seeing her understanding and use of her magic unfold. It's such a unique ability, and the exploration of the benefits and negatives made for a fascinating theme of the book.
There was a ton of delving into even MORE folklore, and that was just as fun as with book 1. Gockel's love of folklore and mythology is clear, and it was really cool learning about folklore I'd never heard of before.
There were several twists I totally wasn't expecting, and I am really curious how the next book in the series will go, given that this one ended nowhere near where I was expecting.
August 18, 2022
Enjoyed
The involvement of characters from many tales of folklore make this a very good story.
The involvement of characters from many tales of folklore make this a very good story.
April 5, 2023
An epic sequel
Loved it! Couldn’t put it down. Heartily recommend this sequel. Love the way different mythologies are woven together. Completely gripping.
Loved it! Couldn’t put it down. Heartily recommend this sequel. Love the way different mythologies are woven together. Completely gripping.
July 10, 2022
What I really enjoyed about this second book in the series. What was fun was that it brought in a lot of mythology and even a small clip from the I Bring the Fire series. Also, you start to see the many loose ends coming together.
Cherie is continuing to be faced with so many challenges both to her magick and her feelings. As she tries to deal with her feelings toward Jack and assess his feelings toward her, she is confronted by others who are not afraid to show how they feel about her. In reference to her magick, she has to come to terms with who she is as she finally learns what her magick is capable of doing.
Jack is faced with his past and his future. He begins to realize that how he thought and looked at the world was wrong. His entire world is starting to unravel and only with a lot of help can he start to rebuild it into a better world.
Grendel really comes into her own throughout the story. She is truly a monster but also she is not a monster at the same time. Which opens up a what will be a good story about her in the next book in the series.
Cherie is continuing to be faced with so many challenges both to her magick and her feelings. As she tries to deal with her feelings toward Jack and assess his feelings toward her, she is confronted by others who are not afraid to show how they feel about her. In reference to her magick, she has to come to terms with who she is as she finally learns what her magick is capable of doing.
Jack is faced with his past and his future. He begins to realize that how he thought and looked at the world was wrong. His entire world is starting to unravel and only with a lot of help can he start to rebuild it into a better world.
Grendel really comes into her own throughout the story. She is truly a monster but also she is not a monster at the same time. Which opens up a what will be a good story about her in the next book in the series.
November 22, 2024
Much deeper than expected
First off, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this genre.
That said, I found that this one had so many deeper, more serious undercurrents throughout - and that's not a criticism, it is intended as praise.
The underlying need to have tolerance for "the other", to understand that perhaps the most obvious goal is not necessarily the correct one, to realise that every "win" has a cost ... that made this book so much more than the blurb might imply.
Like I said, I loved this book (hence the 5 stars), but I didn't love it because it was "a vampire book" or "a paranormal book", or whatever: I found it was a good book that doesn't sit in any "turn the handle" pigeon-hole, it simply needs to be read and appreciated.
(That said, it was an excellent sequel to "Snow So White" and I loved trying to decide whether Chance's reactions were affected by Magick or simply from being a Retriever!)
First off, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this genre.
That said, I found that this one had so many deeper, more serious undercurrents throughout - and that's not a criticism, it is intended as praise.
The underlying need to have tolerance for "the other", to understand that perhaps the most obvious goal is not necessarily the correct one, to realise that every "win" has a cost ... that made this book so much more than the blurb might imply.
Like I said, I loved this book (hence the 5 stars), but I didn't love it because it was "a vampire book" or "a paranormal book", or whatever: I found it was a good book that doesn't sit in any "turn the handle" pigeon-hole, it simply needs to be read and appreciated.
(That said, it was an excellent sequel to "Snow So White" and I loved trying to decide whether Chance's reactions were affected by Magick or simply from being a Retriever!)
July 6, 2022
I absolutely adore C. Gockel’s writing; in my opinion she’s up there with the likes of Gaiman, McCaffrey and Le Guin. She’s equally at home with sci-fi as with mythic fantasy and excels at both. Blood So Red is the sequel to Snow So White, which I was unfortunately unable to post a review for and which I greatly enjoyed.
There are some fantastic characters in these stories, legends of myth brought vividly to life. I loved the portrayal of Coyote, the trickster who’ll boink anything on legs, who only gives if he’ll receive, but who is oddly endearing despite it all. The central character of Cherie, a ‘nice girl’ who comes into her power only by embracing her whole self, takes us on a wild ride. The archetypes of legend are beautifully fleshed out and engage our humanity here. Gockel combines the modern and ancient effortlessly with skill and wit.
There are some fantastic characters in these stories, legends of myth brought vividly to life. I loved the portrayal of Coyote, the trickster who’ll boink anything on legs, who only gives if he’ll receive, but who is oddly endearing despite it all. The central character of Cherie, a ‘nice girl’ who comes into her power only by embracing her whole self, takes us on a wild ride. The archetypes of legend are beautifully fleshed out and engage our humanity here. Gockel combines the modern and ancient effortlessly with skill and wit.
June 25, 2023
C. Gockel's books always capture me. They flow easily and steadily, have lovable characters and a nice mixture of old folklore and new ideas.
Book 2 picks up where we left in book 1, the sleeping spell over Chicago broken, but the Queen planning more evil.
Cherie finally learning what her magic can do. Jack learning that vampires are still the people they were. I loved all the side characters, probably even more than the main. Geoff and Annette, coyote and of course Chase. But the show in the urban folklore books is stolen by Grendel, the lovable (you shouldn't trust her) and loyal vampire. I'll read her well deserved own story next.
Book 2 picks up where we left in book 1, the sleeping spell over Chicago broken, but the Queen planning more evil.
Cherie finally learning what her magic can do. Jack learning that vampires are still the people they were. I loved all the side characters, probably even more than the main. Geoff and Annette, coyote and of course Chase. But the show in the urban folklore books is stolen by Grendel, the lovable (you shouldn't trust her) and loyal vampire. I'll read her well deserved own story next.
August 17, 2024
Aside from the fact that I appreciated the magical urban world that the author has constructed and the way in which she introduces us to different mythological folklores, I am disappointed that more importance is not given to the relationship. romance between Jack and Chérie who had an interesting start in the first book. We get to know the secondary characters better and especially Grendel who is, in my opinion, a well-developed character and to whom we become more and more attached. So, my big disappointment is the love story between the two main characters which falls flat!
January 7, 2024
I loved this continuation of the story of jack, Cherie, Grendel and the evil Queen. This series draws me in with its use of so many different characters from different mythologies. I adore Grendel and the character growth of many of our favorite people. My only complaint was wanting more of Cherie and Jack and their love story, but overall love this book and the twists and turns it took us on. A very easy read.
August 25, 2025
HEA's for everybody?
A splendid battle royale brought everybody together in the most satisfying way. The only criticism I have is to do with the ending. It seemed very rushed & condensed. It skipped several years of a love affair that was crucial to the whole story.
That being said, I loved that it was open ended in the most sinister way. The scope for ensuing books is very welcome.
A splendid battle royale brought everybody together in the most satisfying way. The only criticism I have is to do with the ending. It seemed very rushed & condensed. It skipped several years of a love affair that was crucial to the whole story.
That being said, I loved that it was open ended in the most sinister way. The scope for ensuing books is very welcome.
November 23, 2023
Al primer libro le puse 4⭐ porque si bien no me había gustado mucho, no tenía ningún motivo así que pensé que simplemente no había sido un buen momento para leerlo. Con este segundo libro entendí qué es lo que no me gusta. No me gusta Jack. Yo necesito romance en los libros que leo y Jack no está haciendo nada para que yo esté feliz.
December 13, 2024
I loved this book. The tone is very different from the first in the series, but I still very much enjoyed it. There are elements of romance, although it's not the main focus, and we get to see a darker side of Cherie. I would recommend this series to anybody who likes fairy tales, folklore or young adult fiction
January 24, 2026
Entertaining with gore
Lots of mythological creatures and twists on fairy tales, as a young woman saves everyone while adopting a vampire as her grandmother, that thinks she would be delicious. Then you have a Prince, a wicked stepmother and a minotaur, and a few Greek and other gods thrown in. What's not to like?
Lots of mythological creatures and twists on fairy tales, as a young woman saves everyone while adopting a vampire as her grandmother, that thinks she would be delicious. Then you have a Prince, a wicked stepmother and a minotaur, and a few Greek and other gods thrown in. What's not to like?
November 26, 2022
Really enjoyed this story. Grendel had a significant role. There were many surprises, some allegiances frayed and others strengthened, many new characters, plenty of action. It was a fitting conclusion to Cherie and Jack’s story.
November 18, 2023
Though I really enjoyed this book, it felt a little incomplete. Perhaps the author intends sequels to be written. The action and story development are fun, fast paced, and developed… until the end when it just sort of ignores the unfinished pieces.
Appropriate for older teens and up
Appropriate for older teens and up
October 16, 2022
Ik vond dit boek wel echt super toff om te lezen. deze schrijver weet heel goed folklore, magie en mythologie en oude verhalen te combineren in een sneeuwwitje retelling i loved it!!
July 14, 2023
Another fabulous tale from C.Gockel
Adventure, romance. Great character development , some surprises and a finely woven tale! I'm on to the next book now.
Adventure, romance. Great character development , some surprises and a finely woven tale! I'm on to the next book now.
September 25, 2023
Very interesting. Love the way the fairy tales were combined. Going to start on Vol3 now.
Keep up the good work.
Terry
Keep up the good work.
Terry
September 20, 2024
The weaving of the various fairy tales and folklore made a very entertaining story. I enjoyed the progression of the series. The third one in the series appears to be just as entertaining.
November 9, 2024
Very exciting with great characters!
August 14, 2024
I have never been one to read folklore besides Disney stories lol 😂 However, reading this series sparked my interest. I am somewhat familiar with Grime’s Fairy Tales and this book showed an interesting depiction of evil queen. I also absolutely loved Grendel and how much she truly cares about not only Cherie but everyone else.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews