A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1) by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A Darker Shade of Magic
This is going to be a very unpopular opinion, but I just can’t help it. I didn’t like the story at all. I was looking to find a great book that would have me looking forward to snuggling up on the couch and getting lost in a world so unlike our own, what I found instead were a whole bunch of yawns and excuses to keep putting off reading this book. Here is why:
The plot was just so slow and to be completely honest, I lose patience very quickly when a story tries too hard to be create a mysterious atmosphere simply by leaving out details and on the other hand smother the reader with too many minute descriptions that distract from the actual story. At the end, I just couldn’t care less what was actually going on and what the point of this story was.
The characters felt like vessels that were supposed to move the plot along, but since the plot was so mind numbingly slow and barely existing, the characters didn’t add anything that would make me want to pick up the next installment. I was not able to connect and I could not bring myself to care for any of them.
The writing, besides the pages of unnecessary descriptions was executed very well. This is the only reason I am giving this book two starts instead of one. The author has talent and skill, sadly the story was lacking focus.
Overall, I was so excited for this series that I already requested the second and third installment from my library before finishing it. Unfortunately, I had to cancel those requests, because this just wasn’t my cup of tea. Personally, I would not recommend this one.

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Yesternight by Cat Winters

Yesternight by Cat Winters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I missed the publication of Winters’ latest book and did not purchase it until the Valentine’s Day weekend, after my husband insisted on getting it for me as quickly as possible. Just like with all of Winters’ book, I could have read it in one sitting.
I truly enjoy Winters’ decision to write each book in a different time period and this story, set in the 1920’s was just as engaging as all of her previous stories. The paranormal aspect had me turning page after page as the story unfolded.
The main character was a well crafted multidimensional young woman, stuck between the advancement of modernity and the traditional expectations of her gender.
The writing, as with all of Winters’ books, was impeccable. It was engaging, rich and did not tire me out, even after having read 200 pages in one sitting.
Overall, I adore Winters’ stories and this one is no exception. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, who enjoys well-written historical fiction with a side of the paranormal.

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Dark, Witch & Creamy (Bewitched by Chocolate #1) by H.Y. Hanna

Dark, Witch & Creamy by H.Y. Hanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was given this ARC by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
What better way to spend a rainy, chilly Friday than sitting all snuggled up reading a cozy mystery with so much character? I have read two other cozy mystery series and was in need of a change. I’m glad I found this little gem.
The plot is a murder mystery sprinkled with some witchcraft and decadent, delicious chocolate creations that made my mouth water and had me searching for a snack every twenty minutes. It was easy enough to follow, but kept the reader’s interest until the last page. I must say, this was one of few mystery novels I have read that managed to keep the pacing steady and intriguing throughout the entire story.
The characters were a nice mix that added to the overall charm of the story. The main character came across as slightly slow at times and the romantic interest was just too perfect with a dash of brooding. Nevertheless, the story was still cute and wonderful to read.
The writing was light with the perfect amount of detail to paint a clear picture without getting lost in the nuances.
Overall, this was such a pleasure to read and I’m hoping I can find the second book in this series quickly. I would recommend this book to anyone, who loves chocolate, witchy stories and cozy mysteries.

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The Invisible Hand: Shakespeare's Moon, ACT I by James Hartley

The Invisible Hand: Shakespeare's Moon, ACT I by James Hartley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was given this ARC by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
A cute story for a more younger audience. I wish I could have read this when I was 16 years old and not already in my thirties. The premise and world building brought Shakespeare’s play Macbeth more to life and the world building was quite nicely done, yet the style was a bit too young for me.
The plot was more elaborate than I initially believed based on the description of the book, which I believed to be Shakespeare’s play retold in a new and creative way. It was a nice little mystery, though.
The main character was well enough developed, but I was rather confused by his romantic interest, whose emotions quite frankly were all over the place. This made for a few eye-roll worthy moments and I enjoyed the sections of the story without her much more than when she was around. I couldn’t quite understand the author’s decision to create such an unstable character.
The writing flowed nicely, although at times the amount of detail describing obvious situations was larger than needed. But, I truly enjoyed the description of the Scottish landscape and it certainly was a treat to an admirer of all things Scotland.
Overall, this story is a good start to a series that intertwines modern day mystery and introducing the writings of Shakespeare in a new and refreshing way that could make them much more interesting to a younger audience. I would recommend this book to anyone of a younger age and who wants a light read.

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