Series: The Lily Singer Adventures, Book 1
Author: Lydia Sherrer
Publisher: Chenoweth Press
Release Date: April 30, 2016
Genre: Adult Magical Realism
Told: Third Person, Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, brief strong language)
Format Read: Paperback (purchased)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:
Saving the world is such a bother when it makes you late for tea.
By day, book-loving wizard Lily Singer manages library archives. By night? She sleeps, of course. In between, she studies magic and tries to keep her witch friend Sebastian out of trouble. Much to her displeasure, he finds it anyway and drags her along with him.
From unmaking ancient curses to rescuing a town lost in time, Lily and Sebastian fight to avert magical mayhem. Meanwhile, Lily s mysterious past begins to unfold a past hidden from her by those she trusts most. Will she be able to discover the truth despite them?
* * *
Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus: Beginnings is not the short novel it appears but instead two novellas and one short story about two characters: Lily Singer and Sebastian Blackwell. A wizard and extremely bookish librarian, Lily is just my type of character, although she could be a little stiff at times. In contrast, Sebastian, a laid-back witch who tends to get himself into trouble, was refreshing if a bit of a slob, and reminded me of characters like Harry Dresden and John Taylor. Together they made a great problem-solving pair: Sebastian to find the trouble, and Lily to help get him out of it.
As to the stories themselves:
"Hell Hath No Fury" began well with a fun first chapter, but stumbled on the next by being a little too wordy with unnecessary description. Although the duo's interactions were okay, their dialogue was stinted, somewhat ruining the chemistry. It was an intriguing story though that kept my reading, and the magic (both wizard and witch) is understated but interesting.
"Chasing Rabbits" was a Sebastian-only prologue (called an "interlude") to the proceeding novella. With its darker vibe and distinct lack of Lily I wasn't that engaged - despite his Dresden/Taylor feel, Sebastian and Lily are only really good as a pair.
"Mรถbius Strip" was the best. The writing was better, the banter easier, and the time loop plot engaging. The addition of a new wizard especially intrigued, and I'm now curious enough to dig deeper into the magical world by continuing the series with Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus: Revelations.
Scribble Rating:
3.5 of 5 Scribbles
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