SPELLBREAKER Official Blog Tour (Charlie N. Holmberg) - Ten Facts Guest Post + Giveaway

 

Welcome to my stop on the SPELLBREAKER Official Blog Tour, where you can discover ten facts about the latest magical novel from Charlie N. Holmberg and enter to win a copy! Interested in an excerpt, review, or more author content? Check out the rest of the tour, links below!

TEN FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW 

ABOUT SPELLBREAKER:

1. It was inspired by a line in Studio Ghibli’s adaptation of Howl’s Moving Castle, where the Witch of the Waste claims her talents only lay in breaking spells. 

2. It’s a late-Victorian fantasy, with a setting based on the series Lark Rise to Candleford. 

3. It’s in a similar vein as The Paper Magician Series. 

4. It’s a [clean] adult fantasy that’s suitable for teens. 

5. When a wizard is killed in Spellbreaker, their corpse turns into a spellbook . . . and anyone can use the spells contained within. 

6. There are four disciplines of magic: physical, rational, spiritual, and temporal. 

7. Part of the magic system was inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. 

8. It contains both a slow-burn romance and a cozy mystery. 

9. This novel touches on issues of class, gender, race, and disability. 

10. It’s the first book in a duology, with the second novel, Spellmaker, releasing March 9th, 2021.

A world of enchanted injustice needs a disenchanting woman in the newest fantasy series by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician.

The orphaned Elsie Camden learned as a girl that there were two kinds of wizards in the world: those who pay for the power to cast spells and those, like her, born with the ability to break them. But as an unlicensed magic user, her gift is a crime. Commissioned by an underground group known as the Cowls, Elsie uses her spellbreaking to push back against the aristocrats and help the common man. She always did love the tale of Robin Hood.

Elite magic user Bacchus Kelsey is one elusive spell away from his mastership when he catches Elsie breaking an enchantment. To protect her secret, Elsie strikes a bargain. She’ll help Bacchus fix unruly spells around his estate if he doesn’t turn her in. Working together, Elsie’s trust in—and fondness for—the handsome stranger grows. So does her trepidation about the rise in the murders of wizards and the theft of the spellbooks their bodies leave behind.

For a rogue spellbreaker like Elsie, there’s so much to learn about her powers, her family, the intriguing Bacchus, and the untold dangers shadowing every step of a journey she’s destined to complete. But will she uncover the mystery before it’s too late to save everything she loves? 

ISBN-10 : 1542020093

ISBN-13 : 978-1542020091
Publisher : 47North (November 1, 2020)

Paperback : 303 pages

Praise for SPELLBREAKER 

“…romantic and electrifying…the fast-paced plot and fully realized world will have readers eager for the next installment. Fans of Victorian-influenced fantasy won’t want to put this down.” —Publishers Weekly

“Those who enjoy gentle romance, cozy mysteries, or Victorian fantasy will love this first half of a duology. The cliffhanger ending will keep readers breathless waiting for the second half.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Powerful magic, indulgent Victoriana, and a slow-burn romance make this genre-bending romp utterly delightful.” —Kirkus Reviews

You can purchase Spellbreaker at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Charlie N. Holmberg

Charlie N. Holmberg is the award-winning author of the Numina series, The Fifth Doll, and many others. Her Wall Street Journal bestselling Paper Magician series, which includes The Paper Magician, The Glass Magician, and The Master Magician, has been optioned by the Walt Disney Company. Charlie’s stand-alone novel, Followed by Frost, was nominated for a 2016 RITA Award for Best Young Adult Romance. Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie was raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters, who also have boy names. She is a proud BYU alumna, plays the ukulele, owns too many pairs of glasses, and finally adopted a dog. She currently lives with her family in Utah. Visit her at her website.

WEBSITE  |  TWITTER  |  GOODREADS  |  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM

WEEK ONE - REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS

NOVEMBER 16th MONDAY Kait Plus Books INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 17th TUESDAY BookHounds GUEST POST

NOVEMBER 18th WEDNESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books EXCERPT

NOVEMBER 18th WEDNESDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th THURSDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th THURSDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 20th FRIDAY Author Kelly Risser EXCERPT 

NOVEMBER 20th FRIDAY Skye's Scribblings GUEST POST

WEEK TWO - REVIEWS

NOVEMBER 23rd MONDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

NOVEMBER 23rd MONDAY J.R.'s Book Reviews REVIEW

NOVEMBER 24th TUESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 25th WEDNESDAY Wishful Endings REVIEW

NOVEMBER 25th WEDNESDAY The Bookwyrm's Den REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 26th THURSDAY Kalisbookishrambles REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 26th THURSDAY PopTheButterfly Reads REVIEW

NOVEMBER 27th FRIDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 27th FRIDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW

GIVEAWAY

Win one of two copies of Spellbreaker! Ends December 7, 2020.

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NaNoWriMo 2020

Does everyone know what month it is? It's National Novel Writing Month!!

This will be my 15th consecutive year participating (my crystal anniversary, apparently), and hopefully my 11th win. I had decided in early October that I would finally finish one of my already started and possibly more sellable novels this month, but then an intriguing YA sci-fi idea that's a mash-up of many of my favorite tropes burst into being in my brain this last week and so I think I might just try my hand at it instead. That said, I'm infamous for changing out my story within the first few days, so who knows what I'll finally end up working on.

Because I will be writing 1,667 words every day this month, I do want to warn, as I do every year, that my blog may go rather quiet during November. But I'll still try to post as much as I can (you can at least look forward to a blog tour post mid-month!), and I hope you'll stick with me for many more novel and manga reviews to come in December and beyond.

To those of you who are also participating in Nanowrimo: good luck to us all, and happy writing!

Paragraph Review: Tunnel of Bones (Victoria Schwab)

Title: Tunnel of Bones

Series: Cassidy Blake, Book 2

Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Scholastic
US Release Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Thriller
Content Rating: Teen (scary and near-death situations, briefly disturbing ghosts)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.

She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter -- and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.

And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever.

*          *          *

Series: This is the second book in the Cassidy Blake series. As of October 2020 there are two released books, with a third to release March 2021. You can read my review of Book 1, City of Ghosts, here.

Young ghost-hunter Cassidy Blake returns for another chilling adventure in Tunnel of Bones, the second installment in the Middle Grade paranormal thriller series. This time she, her ghostly best friend, her paranormal investigator parents, and their cat visit Paris, France, a city of light and life aboveground but tunneled with darkness and bones beneath. While taking us on a brief but engaging tour of the city's more ghostly locales, Cassidy accidentally attracts the attention of a young poltergeist and is forced to quickly seek out his long-lost story to send him on and save Paris from his menace and mayhem. Along the way she makes curious new acquaintances, finally learns about Jacob's deadly (and mysteriously intriguing) past, and catches a glimpse of the creepy future that no doubt awaits her in the next book. As with City of Ghosts it was overall a quick and engrossing read with a spooky setting and entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm so eager for Book 3, Bridge of Souls, that I may just resign myself to reading the hardcover (a great compliment indeed).  

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Shutter by Courtney Alameda
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

The #FridayReads Review (10/23/20)

   

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Servamp vol. 7 by Strike Tanaka (PBK)

Currently in the middle of bingeing the first 13 volumes of this series from the library. For a paranormal battle manga it hasn't been what I expected with its focus on emotional turmoil and very little actual battling, but I'm a sucker for "simple" protagonists and haunted immortal characters so I'm invested enough to read all volumes on hand. 

>> JUST FINISHED <<

The Get To Principle by Ted Larkins (HBK)

3.5 Scribbles. "Get to" is such a simple and obvious mindset for a calmer and happier life yet most of us are mired in the miserable "Have tos" instead. I don't know if the concept needed an entire book - I must admit I skipped over a few chapters - but the chapters I read left me contemplative and inspired and I'm already feeling lighter by applying the "Have to/Get to" swap to my thoughts and actions. I'm glad this book caught my eye at the library.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

The Ancient Magus' Bride vol. 13 by Kore Yamazaki (PBK)

A new volume of this favorite series has finally released! I haven't been as enamored of the university arc, but with its fascinating world, intricate magic, and onion-layered characters I'm invested in this series until the very end.

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (10/16/20)

  

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh (PBK)

I've been excited by the surge in MG/YA graphic novels of late but haven't been keeping up with them as I should, so I only discovered Snapdragon last week. I just finished Part 1 of this diverse and currently contemporary story and am intrigued to find out in Part 2 if it's actually in fact magical realism...

>> JUST FINISHED <<

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (HBK)

3 Scribbles. Re-read. I was feeling nostalgic (as I do in the fall) and randomly thought of this series again, so I picked up the first book from the library and found myself reading the entire thing in less than 3 hours. It was both what I remembered and not, unsettling yet playful but also surprisingly really simple as it barely hints at all the layers of dark secrets to come. I vaguely recall that I got a bit bored with the later books in the series and distinctly recall that I hated the last with its depressing end, but I couldn't help but put the second book on library hold and will be curious to see how far I end up diving into this disturbing children's series now that I've begun anew. Review to come.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Servamp vol. 2 by Tanaka Strike (PBK)

The first volume was surprisingly good (if a little gory) with a unique premise and engaging characters - I couldn't believe I'd never heard of the series before now! I've put the rest of the released volumes on library hold (there are currently 13, I believe?) for a serious binge very soon.

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (10/9/20)

  

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab (PBK)

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this ghostly MG series a few months ago (review) and once this sequel arrived I just couldn't hold off reading it in favor of more pressing titles. Just like City of Ghosts it is easy and engrossing with a chilling ghost story and lots of spooky atmosphere, and no surprise I'm already eager for the third book!

>> ON HOLD <<

The Language of Ghosts by Heather Fawcett (ARC)

The writing style was a lot thicker and the story a lot slower than I was expecting so I wasn't enjoying this as much as I'd hoped. I'm definitely still interested in reading it though, and plan to continue after Tunnel.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Yokai Rental Shop by Shin Mashiba (PBK)

I was reminded of this series last week and discovering there are only four volumes, all released, I put them on library hold for an October binge. Possible review to come.

So what are you reading this week?

Release Spotlight: The Captive Kingdom (Jennifer A. Nielsen)

Today I'm excited to spotlight the return to the fantastical Ascendance series, THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM by Jennifer A. Nielsen! This fourth addition to the former trilogy looks to be another exciting and violent adventure, and I look forward to reading it soon. If you don't yet have your own copy on order, see below for all the details!

Title: The Captive Kingdom

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: October 6, 2020

Jennifer A. Nielsen returns to the world of The False Prince in this fourth book of the Ascendance Series!

In a peaceful Carthya, Jaron leads as the Ascendant King with Imogen beside him -- but the peace he fought so long for is not destined to last.

On a routine sea voyage, Jaron's ship is brutally attacked, and he is taken hostage. The mysterious captors and their leader, Jane Strick, accuse Jaron of unthinkable acts. They are also in possession of some shocking items -- including the crown and sword that belonged to Jaron's older brother, Darius. The items unearth a past Jaron thought he had put behind him.

Though it seems impossible, Jaron must consider: Could Darius be alive? And what does Strick want from Jaron? Against his will, Jaron will be pulled back into a fight for the throne -- and a battle to save his kingdom. 

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository | Amazon

Check out the rest of the series:

Book 1: The False Prince (review)

Book 2: The Runaway King

Book 3: The Shadow Throne

Purchase:

B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound | Amazon

Re-Review: Heaven's Queen (Rachel Bach)

Title: Heaven's Queen
Series: Paradox, Book 3
Author: Rachel Bach
Publisher: Orbit
US Release Date: April 22, 2014
Genre: Adult Paranormal Science Fiction
Content Rating: Adult (heavy violence, some language, child mistreatment, sexual content)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

From the moment she took a job on Captain Caldswell's doomed ship, Devi Morris' life has been one disaster after another: government conspiracies, two alien races out for her blood, an incurable virus that's eating her alive.

Now, with the captain missing and everyone -- even her own government -- determined to hunt her down, things are going from bad to impossible. The sensible plan would be to hide and wait for things to blow over, but Devi's never been one to shy from a fight, and she's getting mighty sick of running.

It's time to put this crisis on her terms and do what she knows is right. But with all human life hanging on her actions, the price of taking a stand might be more than she can pay.

*          *          *

Series: This is the third and final book in the Paradox trilogy. All are released and available. You can read my review of Book 1: Fortune's Pawn here, and re-read review of Book 2: Honor's Knight here.

After my original 2014 read of the trilogy, this third and final book was my least favorite because, as my original brief review declared, there was "way too much introspection and discussion where there should've just been action, and because of this the climax dragged on way to long (almost half the book)." That opinion now surprises me after this 2020 re-read because, while I can see in retrospect where those feelings came from, I didn't hold to them this time around. 

There are really two parts/halves to Heaven's Queen: on-the-run, and the climax. The first half sees Devi trying to keep away from capture while at the same time make some kind of progress towards doing some good with the cards she's been dealt. It's a lot of action-rest-infodump-repeat sequences, but this read I felt the action-to-discussion ratio was pretty well balanced. I also enjoyed the longer bouts of downtime (except for the romantic sappiness it encouraged) along with the bits of quieter galactic exploration as Devi visited some interesting planets and stations in search of help and answers. 

And then the second-half climax kicked in. Almost all breathless and violent action, Devi fights tooth and nail to see her wild plan through against literally all odds. While it is long, it's a thrill-ride with a few twists that granted I wasn't particularly impressed with but they kept the story and the characters on their toes until the explosive end. Despite all of the physical and emotional pain the story concludes on a surprisingly happy note with everything wrapped up rather neat and tidy - not exactly plausible, but I've never enjoyed the depressive aftertaste of a melancholy finish so I gratefully ignored the inconsistency and reveled with Devi in the win of a job well done. 

Through it all Devi maintained her kick-arse personality and moral convictions and remained the best reason to read this series, although the sappy romantic struggles created by her perceived weakness of her feelings for Rupert took up a bit too much time in my opinion. Rupert continued to be his charming if tortured self and only grew more adorable despite the nauseating sappiness he brought to the book - and brought out in Devi. But theirs is a sweet and fierce female-dominated romance and, for all its passion, Ace me definitely considers it a favorite.

Conclusion: While it had a little more discussion and sappiness than I prefer and the paranormal plot continued to be ridiculous right to the finish, overall I enjoyed this re-read more than my original 2014 one due to the on-the-run first half and thrill-packed second. The end wrapped up way too neat for the violent mess the story was, but I appreciated that most of the characters got what they wanted. A must-read if you enjoyed the first two.

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

Series Conclusion: While I felt the paranormal aspects diminished this otherwise thrilling sci-fi action-adventure trilogy about a kick-arse female warrior and her violent escapades, Devi was a solid and engrossing character and despite my problems with the mystical plot I pretty thoroughly enjoyed myself (some language, sex, and sappiness aside). If you like a decent paranormal sci-fi read then this is series not to be missed.

Series Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach
Honor's Knight by Rachel Bach
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Zero Repeat Forever by G.S. Prendergast
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Nyxia by Scott Reintgen

The #FridayReads Review (10/2/20)

  

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

The Language of Ghosts by Heather Fawcett (ARC)

Decided I felt like a MG fantasy and finally started this September release. Only a few chapters in and it's a little odder than I expected, but it's certainly intriguing and I'm invested enough to continue.

A Library Miscellany by Claire Cock-Starkey (HBK)

I have a special fascination of libraries so I'm thoroughly enjoying this little book of factoids. So far I've learned about different types of libraries (including lost ones), classification systems, book thefts, fines, popular borrowed authors, Public Lending Right, the Future Library, and library philanthropist Carnegie.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Death Marked by Leah Cypess (ARC)

2 Stars. While readable with an interesting premise, the vague setting, confused magic, forced plot, conflicted and cowardly main character, and anticlimactic end where nothing actually changed after two books of soul-searching left me very disappointed. Review to come.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Waiting for Spring vol. 12 by Anashin (PBK)

Discovered I'm a few volumes behind in this series so I've acquired them from the library (not that I quite remember what the story is about...).

So what are you reading this week?

Release Spotlight: A Deadly Education (Naomi Novik)

Today I spotlight the highly-anticipated magical Young Adult novel A DEADLY EDUCATION by Naomi Novik! Set in a deadly magic school where "survival is more important than any letter grade," I've been excited to read this first Lesson of the Scholomance for a while and hope to get my hands on a copy soon. See below for all the details on this fantastical story and purchase your copy today!

Title: A Deadly Education

Author: Naomi Novik
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Release Date: September 29, 2020

Lesson One of the Scholomance

Learning has never been this deadly

A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) — until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets. There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate… or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere. El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students. 

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository | Amazon

Manga Review: Frau Faust Series (Kore Yamazaki)

Series Title: Frau Faust
Author: Kore Yamazaki
Volumes Reviewed: 5 (complete)
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
US Release Date: September 2017 - November 2018
Genre: Alternate Historical Fantasy
Content Rating: Older Teen (strong violence, human experimentation, child possession, murder, a few words of language)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | Azon | BookDepo | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

From the creator of The Ancient Magus' Bride comes a supernatural action manga in the vein of Fullmetal Alchemist! With electrifying art and a gripping story, Frau Faust reimagines the protagonist of the classic tale who makes a deal with the devil as a tenacious female scholar.

More than a century after an eccentric scholar made an infamous deal with a devil, the story of Faust has passed into legend. However, the true Faust is not the stuffy, professorial man known in fairy tales, but a charismatic, bespectacled woman named Johanna Faust, who happens to still be alive. Searching for pieces of her long-lost demon, Johanna passes through a provincial town, where she saves a young boy named Marion from a criminal’s fate. In exchange, she asks a simple favor of Marion, but Marion soon finds himself intrigued by the peculiar Doctor Faust and joins her on her journey. Thus begins the strange and wonderful adventures of Frau Faust!

*          *          *

Series: This is a five-volume manga series, all released and available.

Frau Faust is a brief but entertaining five-volume series about following your heart and doing things your own way with the time you have. Set in an alternate historical world of alchemy and religion that we barely scratch the surface of, it tells the story of the immortal Faust as she hunts for the hidden pieces of her formerly contracted demon, Mephisto, in an attempt to finally achieve death after over a century. Along the way she makes new friends, reconnects with old ones, reminisces past accomplishments and failures, weaves a little magic, and loses a bit more of herself in every violent confrontation with those who would try to capture or kill her. There's a lot of pain, and as typically happens when dealing with demons things can get pretty creepy at times, but despite a more melancholy finish there's a little humor and a lot of hope for all concerned by the end. Although the artwork is not afraid to be occasionally grotesque with unusual creatures and violence that doesn't shy away from blood and gore, it's generally rather simple and handsome with backdrop settings and expressive, emotionally-charged characters.

Bonus Stories: Volume 1 boasts the bonus short story, The Invisible Museum. Not only does it offer a fascinating location in the mysterious museum of invisible exhibits along with a fun cat-and-mouse chase story, but the intriguing theme of desiring to disappear proved both a dark and hopeful one. And the butterfly really was quite beautiful. 4.5 Scribbles.

Conclusion: A short but engaging alternate historical fantasy with lots of thrills, chills, and onion-layered characters. Especially recommend if you already enjoy Yamazaki's other series, The Ancient Magus' Bride.

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Nightschool: The Weirn Books by Svetlana Chmakova

Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki

Time Killers by Kazue Kato