Category: magic

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Kimberly reviews Not The Witch You Wed by April Asher

TITLE: Not The Witch You Wed
SERIES #: Supernatural Singles #1
CHARACTERS: Violet & Lincoln
AUTHOR: April Asher
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/22
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A fake relationship between a magic-less witch and a wolf shifter turns to more in the start of a bewitching new paranormal rom-com series.

Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne—the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.

The joke’s on them. When old feelings make a reappearance—along with Violet’s magic—they both realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings. But there are old secrets and looming threats that could snatch away their happily ever after, again. One thing’s for sure: magic doesn’t make dating and love any easier.

In Not the Witch You Wed, April Asher brings all the hilarity and sweet, sexy moments you love in a romantic-comedy—plus a fun dose of magic—to this spell-binding new series about being sexy, single, and supernatural in New York City.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a second chance at love with more than magically feelings but actual magic.

Violet is a magic-less witch who dated shifter Lincoln who dumped her when they were teens. But now they are at mating age and the Law says they need to find their mates and settle down. With no one in their lives they decide they will fake date and mate to get everyone off their backs. But as with any fake dating book the old feelings start to come back and then magically (pun intended) Violet’s powers appear too.

I really enjoyed this book. More than I thought I would and as much as I hoped I would. The writing is cute and gives the characters personality that compliment the way they are written. I look forward to the next in the series and hope April Asher can stay at the high bar she set with this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Book Of Magic by Alice Hoffman

TITLE: The Book Of Magic
SERIES #: Practical Magic #2
CHARACTERS: The Owens Family
AUTHOR: Alice Hoffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Master storyteller Alice Hoffman brings us the conclusion of the Practical Magic series in a spellbinding and enchanting final Owens novel brimming with lyric beauty and vivid characters.

The Owens family has been cursed in matters of love for over three-hundred years but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured, when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger—the curse is already at work.

A frantic attempt to save a young man’s life spurs three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother, to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love.

The Book of Magic is a breathtaking conclusion that celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.

REVIEW:
This is the second in the series but this is actually book #4.
Magic Lessons 0.1
The Rules Of Magic 0.2
Practical Magic 1.0
The Book Of Magic 2.0

The book starts with a recap of the Owens family history. There is more than the movie can portray.

Sally hasn’t told her daughters about the family history of witches. But she needs to tell them now since Kylie has fallen in love AND has heard the beetle’s omen. Kylie travels around the world to figure out how to break the curse that Maria Owen placed.

I really hope we get a follow up movie to the original with Bullock and Kidman. The movie is a staple for me in October and I can imagine the actresses reprising their roles to bring the next book by Alice Hoffman to life.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Cackle by Rachel Harrison

TITLE: Cackle
CHARACTERS: Annie & Sophie
AUTHOR: Rachel Harrison
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/05/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She’s stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.

Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I am not sure exactly what genre this fits into. Sometimes I thought it was YA and others more women’s lit. But either way it was an adorable story.

It was hard for me not to imagine “Beauty and The Beast” as I read this story. Not because there was a beast but more that the place Annie comes to is magical. But what is also magical is the way that Annie blooms once she gets to know Sophie.

I found this book just adorable. And a joy to read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher

TITLE: The Orphan Witch
CHARACTERS: Persephone May
AUTHOR: Paige Crutcher
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/28/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A deeper magic. A stronger curse. A family lost…and found.

Persephone May has been alone her entire life. Abandoned as an infant and dragged through the foster care system, she wants nothing more than to belong somewhere. To someone. However, Persephone is as strange as she is lonely. Unexplainable things happen when she’s around—changes in weather, inanimate objects taking flight—and those who seek to bring her into their family quickly cast her out. To cope, she never gets attached, never makes friends. And she certainly never dates. Working odd jobs and always keeping her suitcases half-packed, Persephone is used to moving around, leaving one town for another when curiosity over her eccentric behavior inevitably draws unwanted attention.

After an accidental and very public display of power, Persephone knows it’s time to move on once again. It’s lucky, then, when she receives an email from the one friend she’s managed to keep, inviting her to the elusive Wile Isle. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. However, upon arrival, Persephone quickly discovers that Wile is no ordinary island. In fact, it just might hold the very things she’s been searching for her entire life.

Answers. Family. Home.

And some things she did not want. Like 100-year-old curses and an even older family feud. With the clock running out, love might be the magic that saves them all.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I really enjoyed this book. Persephone is so easy to like and care for. She has always been the odd ball out. Nothing seemed like where she should be. Foster homes and group homes seem like a stop over because soon she will need to leave once the weird stuff starts happening again. When Persephone moves to NC she learns much about herself and her history.

There is so much in this book. Curses, feuds, different dimensions, and the Library Of The Lost. Paige Crutcher did a great job with what I believe is her first novel. I enjoyed the background characters and Wile Isle. I imagine Persephone is the type of witch every little girl believes she is when she dresses up for Halloween and thinks “What if I were really a witch?”.

I really hope there is more to this novel and it becomes a series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Bookbinder’s Daughter by Jessica Thorne

TITLE: The Bookbinder’s Daughter
CHARACTERS: Sophie & Will
AUTHOR: Jessica Thorne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/20/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The song surrounded her now, the murmuring of the library insistent, and her foot took the first step on the winding stairs. She knew it wasn’t entirely a dream. It was the library calling her, its magic driving her.

When Sophie is offered a job at the Ayredale Library – the finest collection of rare books in the world, and the last place her bookbinder mother was seen when Sophie was just a teenager – she leaps at the chance. Will she finally discover what happened to the woman she’s always believed abandoned her?

Taking in the endless shelves of antique books, the soaring stained-glass windows, and the grand sweeping staircase, usually shy Sophie feels strangely at home, and is welcomed by her eccentric fellow binders. But why is the Keeper of the Library so reluctant to speak about Sophie’s mother? And why is Sophie the only person who can read the strange spells in the oldest books on display, written in a forgotten language nobody else understands?

The mysteries of the library only deepen when Sophie stumbles upon an elaborately carved door. The pattern exactly matches the pendant her mother left behind years ago, engraved with a delicate leaf. As the door swings open at her touch, Sophie gasps at the incredible sight: an enormous tree, impossibly growing higher than the library itself, its gently falling golden leaves somehow resembling the pages of a book. Amidst their rustling, Sophie hears a familiar whisper…

‘There you are, my Sophie. I knew you’d come back for me.’

An absolutely spellbinding read about long-hidden family secrets and the magic that lurks between the pages of every ancient book. Perfect for fans of The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Night Circus and The Binding.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I actually enjoyed most of this book. The idea was very fresh and interesting. Any bibliophile would love living in a library and this would be a great one to stay at.

About Sophie. I had a bit of a problem with her. At times she seems so independent and at other times a wet dish cloth. I can appreciate that she and Will were able to rekindle a first love so quickly but it seems odd that she was ever even in love with Victor. She was just a doormat to him.

I enjoyed the “suspense” part of the story. Trying to figure out why one day her mom was there and the next day not. Why can she read a magical spell book when no one else can.

I felt that the library was in and of itself a character. And I wish there had been more magic in the special area of the library.

I think this story had a lot of potential and lived up to some of it.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Dawn Unearthed by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Dawn Unearthed
SERIES #: Ravenwood Coven #1
CHARACTERS: Sage & Rome
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/19/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan begins a new witchy paranormal series where a magical town keeps its secrets, but those in it must find a way to keep themselves safe.

The moment Sage Reed makes her way to Ravenwood, she knows the small town lives up to its mystical lore—even if she doesn’t believe that she’s a witch. After losing her husband, she’s ready for change, and her aunt’s bookstore affords the perfect opportunity.

Rome Baker has secrets of his own—even some that he’s kept from the town he calls home. But when a striking and intriguing stranger saves his life the moment she steps into his path, his inner bear knows that she’s the one for him. However, with the town under fire, he worries he might run out of time before he can show her what they can have together.

A new enemy is on the horizon, one who hides in the shadows, whose history is steeped in lies. And if Sage and Rome aren’t careful, Sage’s new powers won’t be the only thing that spirals into flame.

REVIEW:
I agree with everyone who started out their reviews with “Finally! Carrie Ann has written a paranormal again” because it’s about time. I became a fan of Carrie Ann early in her writing and I have watched her grow into the writer that brought this story to life.

Sage is an incredible character. Sometimes I wanted to hug her, sometimes I wanted to talk to her and sometimes I wanted to be her. As she learned her history and became the witch she was meant to be I cheered for her. Rome is the perfect mate for her. But I felt every feeling she had as she discovered what fans of paranormal only wish they could actually experience.

I am so excited to read more of this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

TITLE: Magic Lessons
SERIES #: Practical Magic #0
CHARACTERS: Maria & Hannah
AUTHOR: Alice Hoffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In an unforgettable novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.

Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Unnamed Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back.

When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters.

Magic Lessons is a celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Any fan of Practical Magic needs to read this book. Ever wondered why the family is cursed about their first loves? Wonder how they became witches? Well this book you will learn from Maria Owens. Through her history we learn how what we know began.

I enjoyed this story. This is not about witches or witchcraft or the supernatural. Just as with Practical Magic it is about love, family and learning about yourself.

Maria starts off as an abandoned baby and is raised by a witch. She becomes a servant, follows her “true love” to Salem, Mass (we all know that area) and then on to NYC.

As I said in the beginning. Any fan of Practical Magic needs to read this book!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews A Witchly Influence by Stephanie Grey

TITLE: A Witchly Influence
CHARACTERS: Carmen & Abby & Finn
AUTHOR: Stephanie Grey
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Get ready to have fun and be influenced!

Fate can show up as anything… As a freshly minted divorcee, witch Carmen Devereaux returns to her hometown in North Carolina. With this decision comes another change in her life: Fate has decided that she is to become an Influencer, someone who guides others onto the path that they were meant to take.

When she’s assigned to Abby Windsor, a young schoolteacher, as well as her own stepbrother, Finn Cleary, she soon encounters several obstacles, including getting stuck in her own past.

A quirky, fun, and lovable cast of characters, including Lenny the Snowman—a grumpy, old snowman who really loves trashy reality shows, especially ones about real housewives, Egbert the Lobbyist Pencil—a pompous pencil who lobbies on magic and loves tasty cuisine, and Muse Siobhan Waters, who is thoughtful and down to earth, help guide and inspire Carmen whenever she gets stuck working on her assignment. Along the way, Carmen learns to influence others…and herself.

Humorous and light-hearted, A Witchly Influence is the perfect feel-good book of the year.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts What if witches were really fairy godmothers? Carmen moves back to her hometown and becomes, for lack of a better title, a life coach. But then that is what the witches in this book seem to be. They help the people of the world make the word a better place. In this novel Carmen is set to help Abby and, of all people, her step-brother Owen.

I enjoyed the book. It was cute and had a nice amount of humor. The characters in Carmen’s world are so funny. I don’t see myself running out to tell the world about it but I will certainly pick up the next in the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Don’t Hex And Drive by Juliette Cross

TITLE: Don’t Hex And Drive
SERIES #: Stay A Spell #2
CHARACTERS: Isadora & Devraj
AUTHOR: Juliette Cross
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/08/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Notoriously bad at peopling, Isadora Savoie spends most of her time in the greenhouse or at the local animal shelter, using her Conduit powers of growth and healing. Content to remain in the background of the Savoie sister shenanigans, she’s reluctantly roped into the mystery of missing neighborhood girls. Now, she’s partnered with a flashy, flirty vampire to find them before it’s too late.

Devraj Kumar has seen and done it all. Three hundred years roaming the earth as a Stygorn—a legendary vampire warrior who operates in the shadows—has its perks. But ennui has set in. That is, until he has a run-in—literally—with an intriguing witch while on a new assignment in New Orleans. Fascinated by her resistance to his charms, Devraj can’t help but push her buttons in an effort to get to know the shy witch. Fortunately for him, she’s been recruited by the Lord of Vampires to assist Devraj on the case.

Between a Bollywood marathon, supernatural dating app, secret package, and sexy driving instruction, Isadora is in over her head. And Devraj? After just one taste, he’s playing for keeps.

REVIEW:
Too funny! This is the second in the series and I did not read book one but that is ok. It most certainly can be a stand alone as this time it is about Isadora (I guess book one was about her sister) and Devraj.

Isadora is a healing witch, and she loves her plants and animals. People not so much. She is really just an introverted witch. Devraj is an old vampire who is asked to find out why there have been missing girls in the area and it’s being blamed on another vampire. But when the two meet and Isadora doesn’t fall for her vampy charm Devraj becomes obsessed with this shy witch.

An adorable paranormal romance. I just loved these characters.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Call It Magic by Janet Chapman

TITLE: Call It Magic
SERIES #: Spellbound Falls #7
CHARACTERS: Katy & Gunnar
AUTHOR: Janet Chapman
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/05/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The latest magical romance in the Spellbound Falls series from the New York Times bestselling author of From Kiss to Queen and The Highlander Next Door

Welcome back to Spellbound Falls, Maine where love is the greatest magic of all…

Katy MacBain moved to Spellbound Falls with secrets she plans to keep. The newest member of the Fire and Rescue Team, she disappeared for three weeks before arriving on the job. She doesn’t understand why Gunnar Wolfe the town’s interim fire chief and her boss seems determined to uncover the truth of what happened to her during that time. Or why she’s more attracted to him than she’s ever been to any other man.

A confident firefighter, Gunnar Wolfe doesn’t give up and he’s resolved to find out what’s wrong with the mysterious and beautiful Katy. Since she is the newest member of his team, he’s naturally protective of her, but he’s surprised to find himself captivated by the tenacious and talented woman who is so…magical.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the 7th in the series which I am sad to say I have not read any of. It was easy to tell that a number of characters from past books were brought back. And being as I understand the author passed away it was a lovely ending to the series.

Gunner and Katy are perfect together. With the magic that surrounds the town of Spellbound Falls I felt a bit like I was watching Practical Magic or The Good Witch.

I would suggest reading the whole series in order but this book certainly made me want to start the series from the beginning.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Witch Perfect by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: Witch Perfect
SERIES #: Witchless in Seattle #11
CHARACTERS: Stephania “Stevie”Cartwright & Crispin “Win” Winterbottom
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: April 24, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hi, all! I’m back…er, I mean, we’re back and boy do we have a tale to tell!
Now that Win is up and about, he’s been a very busy bee. He’s jumped in with both feet, getting involved in our community and living his best life now that he’s unencumbered by his spy past. He even joined the Ebenezer Falls garden club and made all the female member’s toes curl with his British charm.
On a flower scouting trip for the garden club’s annual spring planting in the town square, while Win is ogling lavender bushes and pansies, I fall head first into a pile of soil where a body’s buried.
Not just anybody either. It’s the body of the husband of a close acquaintance of mine—a close acquaintance who just happens to own the nursery and the pile of dirt I fell into head first.
When he begs me to investigate, there’s no way I’m going to turn him down, but there are obstacles to overcome.
For instance, the love of my life. My International Man of Mystery, who keeps stepping on my investigative toes. It’s proving to be an adjustment solving a mystery with us working in the same space. Add in Dana, who’s gone ‘round the bend, my sudden and unexplained investigative (not to mention ridiculous) possessiveness and everything’s all topsy-turvy.
But there’s a vicious killer on the loose and as we unravel whodunnit, I’m hoping our relationship doesn’t unravel, too…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts The very last thing that Stevie and Win thought would happen when they went shopping for flowers was to find a dead body. But that is exactly what happened when Stevie literally stumbled onto the body. There is something about this murder that is not sitting well with Stevie she just can’t seem to figure out what it is.

Witch Perfect is another grand adventure of Who done it! Stevie, Win, Arcady, and Belfry are a great team (we didn’t get to see much of Whiskey or Strike in this story). Through in a traumatized Dana and perfectly rounded group of characters. What traumatized Dana you ask? Well this is a spoiler free zone so you will just have to read the story to find out.
Stevie as always is great at getting herself in a bit of a pickle. This time around she gets a little help from the past to save her bacon. Win is still getting comfortable with his new found life. Arcady is Arcady 🙂 And Belfred is hilarious and mayhem all rolled into on one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I’m already looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dakota Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews The Rise Of Magicks by Nora Roberts

TITLE: The Rise of Magicks
SERIES #: Chronicles of the One #3
CHARACTERS: Fallon Swift
AUTHOR: Nora Roberts
NARRATOR: Julia Whelan
RUNTIME: 14 Hours & 3 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 26, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:After the sickness known as the Doom destroyed civilization, magick has become commonplace, and Fallon Swift has spent her younger years learning its ways. Fallon cannot live in peace until she frees those who have been preyed upon by the government or the fanatical Purity Warriors, endlessly hunted or locked up in laboratories, brutalized for years on end. She is determined to save even those who have been complicit with this evil out of fear or weakness—if, indeed, they can be saved.
Strengthened by the bond she shares with her fellow warrior, Duncan, Fallon has already succeeded in rescuing countless shifters and elves and ordinary humans. Now she must help them heal—and rediscover the light and faith within themselves. For although from the time of her birth, she has been The One, she is still only one. And as she faces down an old nemesis, sets her sights on the enemy’s stronghold, and pursues her destiny—to finally restore the mystical shield that once protected them all—she will need an army behind her…

REVIEW:
The Rise of Magicks is the final installment in Nora Roberts Chronicles of the One trilogy. This was a great ending to a wonderful trilogy. I laughed, I cried (a lot, have tissues) and I cheered. So many good things happen in this book that I can almost forgive Mrs. Roberts for the bad things. I loved this series so much. From the very start of the first book I was hooked. Yes, there were times when the stories where a little slow but Nora was building a beautiful and complex world.
I let the wonderfully talented Julia Whelan read this whole series to me. I loved how she was able to bring the characters to life for me. If you are an audiobook fan and are looking for a great trilogy written by a great author and a fabulous narrator you need to pick up this series.
This whole trilogy may have not come out in 2019 but it was one of my favorite reads/listens for the 2019 year! I hope that we get to see these characters and this world again in the future. I would like to know how they are faring in the new world.

Disclaimer:
I received a purchased copy of this book from Audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.