Book Review: Sisters' Fate by Jessica Spotswood {Book 3 The Cahill Witch Chronicles}

Title: Sisters' Fate
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Date of Publication: August 14 2014
Source: bought, young adult, historical fiction, hardcover, 368 pages


From Goodreads:

A fever ravages New London, but with the Brotherhood sending suspected witches straight to the gallows, the Sisters are powerless against the disease. They can’t help without revealing their powers—as Cate learns when a potent display of magic turns her into the most wanted witch in all of New England.

To make matters worse, Cate has been erased from the memory of her beloved Finn. While she’s torn between protecting him from further attacks and encouraging him to fall for her all over again, she’s certain she can never forgive Maura’s betrayal. And now that Tess’s visions have taken a deadly turn, the prophecy that one Cahill sister will murder another looms ever closer to its fulfillment.

My Thoughts: 
Cate has really stepped into her shoes, so to speak.  She has come into her own as a woman, as a witch, and as a sister.  We have watched this character grow throughout the series to turn into a very powerful and interesting person.
In fact, each sister has contributed to this series in some big and small way to shape it into a fine historical fiction and exciting magical novel.

I wasn't really feeling this cover picture.  I just felt it lacked something.  I am not sure what, and the model is beautiful but I don't know if that is what I pictured Cate to be like.  Of course, this doesn't take away from the novel at all.  I was just not into this cover picture.

But the overall plot did deliver very well.   There are a few twists and turns that I wasn't expecting but for the most part everything fell into place of how the plot was going in the first two books.  We lose some characters I wasn't expecting to and gained a few allies that I was hoping for.
The conflicts between the sisters and Maura comes to a final battle in this story and we are shocked by the turnout.  I feel guilty for the way I felt about Maura even though she deserved it and yet I feel like she may have redeemed herself as well.  I would have liked for more to happen between the sisters as allies before the ending but again, I understand the way it played out too.  Besides, when it comes to series finales I think we will always find something we wanted more just because we really don't want it to end.

Remember how there is always two sides to every story?  Well, I really love how our author does that.  She shows us that even though the Brothers are the worst people in charge, some of the extreme thoughts of the witches aren't the greatest idea either.  Mrs. Spotswood, instead, details one extreme to the next showing us that it is always better to find a compromise or meeting ground.

Another point that I loved about the third book is that there is some revolutionary thinking ( for this time period anyways) where we find the women and men coming together to argue points about breaking away from those in charge.
Besides being a paranormal romance novel, Sisters Fate is truly a great historical novel giving us a look into how women were treated back in this time period.  Yes, witches were feared and hated but girls and women were treated terribly too.  It is a great novel for someone looking for a magical story but is a very rousting historical fiction.

All in all, I was pretty satisfied with how Sisters' Fate ended the series.  There were some things I would have liked to see more of and characters I didn't want to lose but overall the story was carried through very well.  I believe we were given what we needed and that is the most important part of a story.  Getting what I needed from it not just what I wanted or wished for.

It was a wonderful series and I look forward to anything else that Mrs. Spotswood will bring us in the future!

Get your own copy at: 

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Book Review: Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood {Book 2: The Cahill Witch Chronicles}

Title: Star Cursed
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Date of Publication: June 18, 2013
Source: bought, hardcover 384 pages



From Goodreads:

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.
Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.
In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

My Thoughts:

 I wonder if anyone else is ready to have Maura turn herself into a frog or just vaporize herself.  I am so ready for that girl to just disappear!!!  I dislike Maura immensely and I don't really know if I can ever forgive her for the mistakes she has made.  And yes, I gave her the benefit of the doubt in the first book but I just really want to destroy her now!
Oh well.  Enough of my ranting...On to my review.

Star Cursed is a roller coaster ride of emotions with so much happening in this book you never have time to get bored with it.  We become privy to more secrets concerning the Cahill witches and learn more of the other characters as well.  
Just like Born Wicked, Star Cursed is a character driven story with a wonderful cast of protagonists and antagonists that we come to love and hate respectively.    Spotswood is amazingly talented at writing the many different aspects of a character's thought process.
We are able to visually see the characters work through their anger, their happiness and all of their problems as we go through the plot.   It's almost impossible not to feel empathy for Cate as she tries to stand in for their Mother when dealing with her sisters.  I even see Cate assuming a "parental" role in the lives of the other witches that are introduced in the novel.  

Besides such stunning descriptions of the historical era,  the author is also able to give us an interesting story  with some intense foreshadowing for what is to come in the series.   This leaves us feeling creepy and tingly as we go through the plot.  The oracles bring a certain horror factor to the story as well as the setting of Harwood Asylum and its inhabitants.  But the most frightening aspect of the story is the Brothers exerting their power more and more everyday.  
Star Cursed will not leave you disappointed as the reader gains new allies and losing more than we were willing to give up.  In this sequel we are forced to understand the true meaning of sacrifice.  
And betrayal.

Get your own copy at:

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Book Review: Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers { Book 2: His Fair Assassin}

Title: Dark Triumph
Author: Robin LaFevers
Series: His Fair Assassins
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books  for Children
Date of Publication: April 2, 2013
Source: bought, hardcover, 385 pages
Links to buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

From Goodreads:

Sybella's duty as Death's assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this thrilling sequel to Grave Mercy.
Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

My Thoughts:

I have totally completely and whole-heartedly fell in love with this series! It combines everything that I love in a book: suspense, romance, strong female characters that can kill twenty ways to sundown, and a huge paranormal vibe going through the story set in a historical fiction.  It is honestly the best of all genres and I am so glad that I jumped into this series head first!

Okay....I will try to go through this review like a big girl, instead of a fan girl screaming like a maniac.   

*composes self* 
*takes deep breath*  

ILOVETHISFREAKINGBOOKSOMUCH!!!!!!

Now, I am much better.  

Dark Triumph is very similar to Grave Mercy but in a lot of ways it is far different too.  In Dark Triumph, Sybella goes through her own hell and really starts to question her belief in Death, especially her place in his world.  Just as Isme went through her personal revelation in Grave Mercy, Sybella has to go through her own as well.  
But Dark Triumph seems much more darker than Grave Mercy.  Okay, chill out.. I know what you're thinking: " Um they are daughters of Death who kill for a living and as a religion..of course it is dark!!" 
And you're right the overall series is dark....but Sybella's life really brought the utmost pain to me.  The things this woman has went through, and continues to go through, is beyond what I think any normal woman could live through and still be somewhat sane.  
Our main female protagonist is one of the strongest characters I have ever read!  I love that she is so dangerous and yet there is this fragility about her that really breaks your heart.  Sybella always has to be on guard because her very existence stays in danger constantly.  And yet even with all this darkness surrounding her, she still finds some things beautiful.  Like her friendship with Isme, her adoration for her younger sisters, and the growing attraction between her and "Beast".  She is one of the most complex and fulfilling character I have ever read.  There is so much going on with Sybella that you will definitely have an emotional thrill ride with her.  

Then there is our main male protagonist and I am so glad he is the one that is in this book.  I loved him so much in Grave Mercy and I am thrilled that LaFevers chose Beast as the male equivalent for Sybella.  On the outside, he has these scars and isn't the most beautiful man alive.  Many females run from him just for his looks, when they are perhaps missing out on the most admirable man alive.  Beast was a great guy and I enjoyed reading more about his life too.  

As I read Dark Triumph, I kept thinking to myself what a small world it really was.  There are so many tie ins for these two characters that it almost seems like fate was involved.  Which could be true?  Who knows?  

I love that LaFevers took a important event in history and twisted it slightly with a paranormal feel to it.  I also love that she personifies Death, giving him this fatherly personality to him.  It could really be compared to religion in this day and age.  Okay please stop before you get your torches and start screaming "sacrilegious" at me.  Let me explain.....
You know how you have this faith but these awful things keep happening to you and sometimes your faith wavers, causing you to question your life, your creation, and your very existence.  Well the handmaidens in His Fair Assassin series do this as well.  Throughout the stories these ladies think he has forsaken them (sound familiar?) and in a special moment usually at our rock bottom, we find our faith and we see that our Father was there for us all along.  
I really just completely fell in love with the similarities that LaFevers gives us when Isme and Sybella question their lives and beliefs  and they find that their father was watching all along.  
I guess I rambled there a lot but I really had a point and I hoped I made it.  
Anyways, back to the review.
LaFevers also does a wonderful job of world building.  She takes this amazing time in history but alternates it to fit the paranormal view of it.  As she writes, I really feel like I am transported back in time with the characters in this historical fiction.  Oh and is it just me but man I would love to have one of those dresses so bad!  

All in all, Dark Triumph is an overload for our emotions.  We get so many going on: despair, love, fear, hatred, and hope.  But probably most importantly, forgiveness.  There are a few surprises through out the story and we find out who our real enemies are and those that we can truly trust.  
Also be prepared for a abrupt ending.  I would have loved a little bit more but I guess I will just impatiently wait till the next book.  

One more thing.  Raise of hands: Who really wants to punch the Reverend Mother all the way back to the convent?  I don't know how much I can take of her until I have to get a punching bag with a picture of her face on it!?!?!

I had to give Dark Triumph five out of five hearts!  

Connect with Robin LaFevers:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | 

Check out my review of Grave Mercy, book 1 in His Fair Assassin here.

Book Review: Grave Mercy { His Fair Assassin Trilogy } by Robin LaFevers

Title:  Grave Mercy
Series: His Fair Assassin book 1
Author: Robin LaFevers
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books 
Date of Publication: April 3, 2012
Source: bought, Kindle, 576 pages
Links to Buy: Amazon   | Barnes & Noble |

Book Synopsis:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

-from Amazon page

My Thoughts:

This was such a killer of a book (sorry for the pun- couldn't help myself) and I absolutely loved every minute of it!  

Everyone that knows me, knows I am a huge fan of historical fiction.  I just love the old rustic medieval feel of a good story.  I love the outfits, I love the feel that comes with the sensation when I read about the Queen and her advisors, or those that mean to overthrow her.  Sorry, I just get excited when I think about historical fiction.  

So Ismae is probably one of my favorite characters of this year.  First, this lady is tough!  Oh my goodness I get chills thinking about how good she is at her calling.  She is like the James Bond of France in this book.  She even has some neat little tools she uses to get her "job" done.  I am telling you: Ismae is one tough female; almost like a Rambo in her day and age.  

But besides all the brawn, Ismae is no fool.  That is what I loved about her as well.  Sure she has been through a lot of anguish and yet she still uses her brain, instead of her hatred for men.  Even though I know there were times she wanted to go with that too.  

When I think of this book I think of the this quote:

Oh what a tangled web we weave;
When we first practise to deceive
- Sir Walter Scott

Grave Mercy is filled with so many plot twists, so many " oh my god" moments that I was just swept up into the rush of the story.  Everywhere you turn there is someone trying to stab someone else in the back; trying to up their political and court status at the expense of others.  Isn't it beautiful??? Sorry.

But then the author made this book even more tantalizing by adding an element of supernatural goodness to it.  Because not only are these La Femme Fatales a type of assassin they are a special type.  These are the daughters of Death himself.  Oh wholly goodness! Then she went and personified Death!  I love you,  Robin LaFevers! And it is an interesting mix of fear and understanding of Death throughout the story that I totally grips me and won't let go!

I fell in love with this story so deeply  I am having a very hard time waiting until I can buy the next book in the series, Dark Triumph.    I have to give this novel five hearts and I wish I could give it more like maybe a crazy looking out of this world heart for those that mean so much more to me than just five hearts!

Book Review: Trials of Truth {The BloodTruth Series} by Cege Smith

Title: Trials of Truth
Author: Cege Smith
Series: The Bloodtruth Series# 3
Publisher/Date of Publication: Cege Smith Books/ Mar. 31, 2013
Source: received from author for my honest opinion of it.
Links to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | 


Book Synopsis:

No one is safe in Altera as the lines between good and evil blur even further in this third installment of the Bloodtruth series…
Queen Angeline Robart left her kingdom in the hands of her betrayer to embark on a mission to find her cure. But each passing hour that the wraith remains part of her seems to make it even more difficult to banish. The mysterious and elusive Clan seems to have the answers, but Angeline can’t help but question their motives, and the price she will be required to pay for her freedom.
Connor is forced to make a decision between his fate and his love for Angeline. While his hope has always been that those two things would coincide, it seems that their ability to be together isn’t meant to be, at least if the Clan has anything to say about it.
Meanwhile, back in the capital city of Brebackerin, Malin finds that the enemies who have been lying in wait want revenge for Connor’s betrayal. He must find a way to hold them off, and keep the kingdom in one piece, until Angeline’s return.
The Bloodtruth series:Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1)The Queen's Betrayal (Bloodtruth #2)Trials of Truth (Bloodtruth #3)

My Thoughts:
I have been a huge fan of this series ever since I found it!  Cege Smith is a very creative author that creates worlds that are very similar to ours with emotions that we can all relate to: fear,  betrayal, grief, and most importantly love.  
Trials of Truth basically picks up pretty much right where The Queen's Betrayal leaves off.  Connor and Angeline are finding themselves ensnared in a trap the Clan has been planning for a long time.  
The characters in this novel work good together.  Connor and Angeline are very smart and do not have the "insta-love" element to them that most young adult protagonists do.  They do, however, have the tragic love written all over them.  And it is interesting to see how they deal with the problems that arise from their love for each other.  

It seems like everyone in the story so far, has to choose how far they are willing to go to save people and in the process, maybe lose themselves too.  

I did find that the story seemed to go a little slow, especially where the Queen's Court drama pertained to.  And I am not a huge fan of Malin but I do think he will redeem himself in the end.  At least I hope he does.  

This book leaves off on a huge cliffhanger which had me a little shell shocked.  I was like, " What? Oh come on, just give me a little bit more!!"    I am not a huge fan of cliff hangers because I hate to wait but this one was pretty good at the abruptness of it.  But it served its purpose because now I am so intensely waiting for the next book!  

All in all, I am really digging this series as it takes us farther and farther into the lies, deceit, politics, and even the truth of the real histories of the Robart family.  I think in this story the truth may be the darkest part of all.  

So if you are interested in the High Court drama, with a mixture of the supernatural element such as witches, vampires and an all knowing cult  Clan then you should definitely grab these up.  
Four hearts.

Connect With Cege Smith:

I’m Cege, and I’m very pleased to meet you.
My absolute favorite genres are horror, paranormal romance, and thrillers for both reading and writing. I have to mention that because I’ll occasionally use bad puns that are directly correlated to that fascination. So if that’s not your cup of tea I understand.
I love to laugh, but I don’t always laugh at the current thing that is all the rage on YouTube. My husband says that means I don’t find the right stuff funny. I disagree. (He’s just not as funny as he thinks he is.) I am okay with that.
When it comes to this writing stuff, I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. In fact, when I’m not writing I’m usually thinking about writing. Which means I’ve always got a lot of different things jockeying for my attention at any given time.
When I’m not kicking it at the day job (I’m in sales), you’ll find me working on one of my new novels, blogging, tweeting, or reading when I’m not giving into my Netflix addiction. (I watch The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Ghost Adventures, and the occasional Gossip Girl episode.) I’m constantly learning new things, and believe that’s the key to keeping my content fresh.

I’d love to get to know you better! Please don’t hesitate to drop me a line at cege@cegesmith.com.   Taken from   Cege Smith's  About Me page.

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Book Review: Lest the Dew Rust Them by Michael Drakich

Title: Lest the Dew Rust Them
Author: Michael Drakich
Publisher: Self
Date of Publication: Feb. 22, 2013
Genre: Crime drama
Source: received from author for honest review
Buying links: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Smashwords|

Book Synopsis:

Terrorism in America has a new game…decapitations!
Homeland Security Director Robert Grimmson faces the task of catching five men in New York City. They call themselves the Sword Masters with a single minded plan of terror through decapitations.
Barely has the task begun when a new arrival at JFK is a man importing thousands of swords! Alexander Suten-Mdjai is a trainer in the deadly art of swordsmanship and Robert cannot help but believe there is a connection between him and the Sword Masters.
As he goes about the task, each step in his search is made more difficult through the interference of politicians, the media and his own government.Robert’s examination constantly draws him back to Alexander who regales him with a tale of swordsmanship from his lineage featuring events of mankind’s bloody past and often oddly having a connection to the case before him.With the clock ticking as New York collapses into a deep panic, he must catch the Sword Masters before it is too late!

My Thoughts:
The title was an interesting one and very unique, whereas the cover photo didn't inspire me to want to reach for it.  However much emphasis I do put on the cover illustrations, I will read a book even if I am not a fan of the illustrations. 
I am glad I did.  

Lest the Dew Rust Them is an interesting mix of crime drama, mystery, historical fiction, and (probably just to me) political satire.  

Many of the characters tended to get on my nerves for their blatant racial profiling that they were capable of doing; whereas some of the characters were just idiotic in their lives.  My favorite character in the whole book was without a doubt, Alexander Suten - Mdjai for many reasons.  
He is a honorable person.  Even as he is being suspected for some very heinous crimes all  because of a title, he is helpful and polite throughout it all. 
Another reason I respected him so much is because of his knowledge and talent.  He is a hell of a storyteller and I enjoyed hearing about the history of each blade he owned.  Personally, these were my favorite parts in the story;the accounts of the blades and his ancestors' use of them. 
Because of this section, the supernatural fan in me was hoping for some type of reincarnation like plot thread, but alas there was none. But again, that is just me.  

There are other characters in the story that play some major parts in the story, like the Homeland Security director, as well as the antagonists too, but they really didn't capture my attention like Alexander  Suten-Mdjai did.  

I will mention that I had high hopes for the antagonists being pretty worthy opponents but towards the middle and end I was just disappointed in their ways.  It seemed like they really didn't have any idea what they were doing, although, that could have been the deliberate doing of the author.  I  did wish that we weren't informed of the criminals so early in the book.  It would have been more mysterious if we may have had to guess at their identities first.  

The plot was a creative one as well as the choice of weapons interesting.  Also the manner in which many of the victims were destroyed was also entertaining for a crime drama.   
There was a strong message going throughout the story that shows us how civilization will slowly break down when people get scared.  Accusations, racial slurs, and bigotry become more commonplace as people lose their securities and feel like they are being boxed in by something they can't control and can't understand.  I felt like Mr. Drakich really understood this and made it an important part in his book for people to grasp.

I wasn't wholly impressed with this story but at the same time I did find parts that were interesting enough that kept me turning the pages and finishing the book.  The criminals as well as the police caused me to see it more of a satire in many ways.  I would have enjoyed the Sword Masters to be a little more adept at the mission they were trying to accomplish and I was a little disappointed in police's ability to find them.  

But all in all, the story was an okay read and I am going to give it four  hearts because even though there were areas that I disliked; I found myself being drawn into the story,turning page after page, until I was already at the end.  And I was not expecting it to end the way it did, so yay for twists!
[Though in this case I am not really in love with it; I did think it merited a four heart{or stars} rating for the implications shown when the society gets scared]

About The Author:
Michael Drakich
No awards, no accolades, no writing degrees or diplomas, only a deep rooted love of reading and writing.

If you buy a copy of any of my works, please, visit again to provide a comment or a review.

Thank you


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