REVIEW: 'Wicked Resurrection"

Title: Wicked: Resurrection

Author: Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pub. Date: July 2009
ISBN-13: 9781416972273
Pages: 416
Series: Wicked Series

Summary (B&N):

WHAT THE CAHORS witches thought was the end of their troubles was only the beginning. A threat more powerful and more frightening than anything they have faced has been watching and waiting. The Cahors witches must come together and find Jer and Eli as both the Deveraux and the Cahors family lines face eradication.
All the secrets of the Cahors will be revealed, forcing them to overcome their greatest weaknesses in order to achieve their most powerful strengths. And only united do they have any chance at victory. Before the end, sacrifices will be made, alliances forged, and old friends lost forever.

My Thoughts:

Ever since I read Wicked two years ago, I've been a fan of this series. It may not be every one's cup of tea, and the magic in these books are nothing like Harry Potter, quiet the opposite in fact, filled with darkness and evil, and you never quiet know which side everyone is on....But that's one of the things I enjoy so much about this series.

And Wicked: Resurrection was anything but a disappoint, a fitting conclusion to the series. After having the last two books leaving you hanging, wanting more, Holder and Viguie finally managed to wrap it all up nicely, leaving the reader satisfied. It may not have the traditional HEA (happily ever after), but this HEA matches the story and characters, and that's all that really matters, right?

I don't wish to give out any spoilers, from any of the three books, so I won't go into deep details. However, I will say that Resurrection manages to keep you guessing until the very end, throwing out new twists and characters just when you think you've managed to figure it all out.

Darkness and corruption is zeroing in on Amanda, Nicole and Holly, but with the right knowledge and by working together, only they (and Owen) can turn back the malicious Merlin from destroying the world and killing them. Yes, it may sound like 'just another save-the-world' kind of book, but if you read the series, starting with book one (very important for understanding and enjoying the series completely!), you'll soon find out that it's nothing like what you'd expect.

And to top it all off, besides the demons and magic and darkness, (oh my!), Wicked: Resurrection has a nice dose of romance in it as well, between three separate couples. They may not have the perfect connection, and they all go through some really hard times, what with having ghosts from the past possess them and what not, but in the end, they stay together. And to me, that's what makes a romance more believable-- face it, none of us will ever have a relationship that doesn't have a few problems along the way, speed bumps that make us wonder 'Is it even worth it?'. But in the end, if you can survive the trip, the conclusion is well worth it-- both in the book and in real life! ;)


4.5 STARS! Wicked: Resurrection is a stunning finale to a delicious fantasy series. I'll definitely be recommending this to friends and family, and anyone else whom I think would enjoy the darker elements in the book.


Until Next Time,

"The Marriage Spell" Weaves a Beautiful Spell That Will Have You Falling in Love With Both the Characters and the Story!

Synopis from B&N.com:

New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney is acclaimed by critics and readers alike for unforgettable storytelling and arresting characters. Now she introduces a Regency England you’ve never seen before, where dazzling magic is practiced in all but the highest reaches of Society, and where desire is the most mysterious and seductive force of all.

One of the Duke of Wellington’s most respected officers, Jack Langdon, Lord Frayne, takes his family’s honor very seriously. He also hides a shameful secret: a talent for sorcery he has been raised to suppress and openly reject. But after an injury lands Jack at death’s door, his only chance at survival lies with Abigail Barton, a peer’s daughter and a skilled wizard. Her price: Jack’s hand in marriage. It isn’t long before Jack feels an irresistible attraction to his forthright new wife, whose allure is as intense as the reawakening magical abilities he can no longer deny.

Abigail had to make a great sacrifice to perform a spell powerful enough to save Lord Frayne, and although she cannot help but be drawn to her reluctant husband’s surprising sensitivity and kindness, she knows all too well his distaste for magic. Once she has Jack’s name and the child she has always longed for, she is determined to live apart from him so that he can preserve his reputation–and so that she herself can stay true to her gifts.

But neither Abby nor Jack reckons on the deep, long-simmering passions her spell ignites. They challenge each other’s extraordinary powers and deepest desires for the sake of a love that may cost them all they cherish most.

With breathtaking skill and vivid historical detail, Mary Jo Putney weaves a tale of enchantment, mystery, and romance that will forever hold you spellbound.



From page one, I was hooked. MJP weaves a brillant love story with great fantasy, making it seem like it's normal, everyday magic instead of a paranormal world. I especially loved how she was able to so deftly combine historical and 'paranormal' romance together, though at times I forgot that it was a paranormal romance.

The story is sweet and tender, loving and passionate, sexy and funny. The characters (That is, the hero and heroine) are anything but perfect and stunningly beautiful, but it doesn't matter because they both love each other anyway and find each other very attractive, both inside and out. What more can you ask for?

Their love runs deep, like their magic, and their connection is there almost from the start, slowing building along with their trust and love for each other. To me, that's the most believable kind of love--true love. :) And their love scenes are scorching hot while still retaining a lot of the tender love and connection, the perfect combination, intensified by the fact that the first part of their marriage was filled with nothing but semi-innocent caresses and cuddles, allowing true love to really bloom instead of starting out as really strong lust, like some stories *Though that is not always a bad thing either, in my opinion...it all just depends on the author and the storyline/characters...*

Besides their breath-taking romance that runs deep through the book, The Marriage Spell also has a good touch of mystery and adventure, luaghs and danger. Plus the obvious magic, which fits in nicely, despite the fact that so many peers of the ton are strongly against wizards, but who cares about them, right?

5/5 STARS! This is the perfect romance novel, one of the best I've ever read, and I will definitely be snatching up Mary Jo Puney's other novels as soon as I can! A must read for any romance lover, no matter their preference: Since it's a combination of historical and paranormal, you can't go wrong!

~TBQ~

Besides the

Prince of Swords Ends Up on Top.....

Prince of Swords by Linda Winstead Jones

Publisher: Berkley (May 1, 2007)

Series: Children of the Sun, 3

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

In the last installment of the Children of the Sun trilogy, a shackled virgin must choose between the monster she knows and a sexy stranger who could spell doom-or help her fulfill the Prophecy of the Firstborn

 

Where to Buy*:

 Kindle |  NOOK

My Review:

Though the short and somewhat lacking summary shown online makes Prince of Swords seem like yet another mediocore book, things are not always what they seem. After buying the book on impulse almost half a year ago while in the grocery store, I put it in my piles and there it stayed for a while. A few times before, I tried to pull it out and make myself read it, but for some reason, I had doubts and did not feel like (as I thought at the time) forcing myself through a less than great book. Instead, I passed it over again and again. Finally, two days ago, I made myself grab it out of the pile and sit down and read it. And boy was I surprised!

Though at first glance the plot seems like a repeat of one that almost every romance reader has probably read (virgin damsel is locked away in a dungeon, waiting to be wed, unwillingly, to a demon possesed Prince, she is rescued by handsome 'knight', in this case the Prince of Swords, an important and high position in the kingdom's "army", they have to defeat the evilness that is cloaking their world and along the way, they fall into lust and then love), it is more than just that.

Rayne grew up in a slightly less than perfect family. She had a loving mother, who unfortunately died too young. Her father, a wizard who did not practice benign white magic, was not always a good father. After her mother died, he willingly gave her to Ciro, the Prince who was recently possessed by a horrible demon (and right now, I cannot remember the demon's name for the life of me! Sorry!), knowing that the demon had planned to use her to bear his child, a child who would rule the new world they were created--by, of course, destroying the current one. Rayne was put in the dungeon for four+ months in order to await their marriage. While sitting down in the dungeon, Lyn, the Prince of Swords, arrives-- though not to save her. Instead, he is there looking for the Crystal Dagger, which is talked about in the Prophecy of the First Son, which refers to him. He must use this unique and powerful dagger to kill Ciro-- and bind the demon inside for all eternity. Of course, the dagger is with Rayne. Made by her mother, who she thought did not possess any magical powers at all (though they never really tell you if she did or not, or if she was simply... different), years ago, the dagger is the only way that the demon and Ciro can be destroyed, and the war between their world's inhabitants and the Demon's Own put to rest for good. But when he shows up at the keep, he finds more than a simple dagger.

Of course, he saves Rayne (by stopping time, a little gift he has, and moving the sword that was headed her way) and brings her along on his journey. Along the way, Lyn is betrayed by his use-to-be best friend, who, it seems, was also possesed by a demon working for Ciro, meant to bring Rayne to them (Ciro and the demon).

In the middle of all this, Rayne decides she must rid herself of her 'pure soul, heart, and body' that Ciro and the demon want her for. She starts by having one of the guards teach her how to curse, but finds that this is not to her liking-- and it's not enough. So next she decides to get rid of her virginity, which she thinks will ruin the 'pure body' required of her. She mentions this to Lyn and asks if he will send one of his men to her during the night-- it does not matter who, since she simple wants to get rid of her innocence, and the only thing the man has to do is not talk (so in the morning, she will not know who it was, therefore, there will be no akwardness between them the rest of the way). He tells her he will send someone, but says he 'has not decided yet'. Of course, he goes instead, after a few hours of wrestling with his conscious, and they enjoy a lovely night full of passion, which lasts more than one coupling.

They continue along, both of them becoming slightly closer, especially on Rayne's part. She finds out that she has a great deal of powers-- white magic, thankgoodness-- and that she is an Earth Goddess.

The story goes on (Sorry, it's late, and I am not really up to going through every other main event along the way.. plus I don't want to give too much away!!) and Lyn destroys Ciro and binds the demon in the dagger. They find the long lost heirs (twins) of the throne. The eldest is crowned emperor and life is good. The followers, the Demon's Own, are succesfully tracked and killed, the dagger (and demon) are rid of in Level Thirteen, with (major!) help from Rayne's newfoun powers. Everything is great.. except, of course, Lyn has made no promises to Rayne and soon he will head back home.

After some help from Jahn, the new emperor, and a new found determination found within herself, Rayne gets Lyn, they get married that night, at a ceremony for the newly crowned heir, Rayne tells Lyn that she is pregnant, and all is great in the world.

Though my review of the events makes the book sound rushed, it's not. This is simply my trying-to-make-it-short-but-understandable summary. It was actually a very good book, and now I want to go back and read the other 2 in this trilogy and the 3 in the connected trilogy that covers some of Lyn's (I believe...) aunt's stories. It has a classic romance plot but with a twist, which makes it fresh and enjoyable.

If you don't mind your romance to have demons, witches, and wizards, then Prince of Swords is a great book for you! 4.5/5 stars!

Enjoy!



Until Next Time,
 
   *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!