#thechronicbookworm reviews
BOOK REVIEW: Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe
Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn’t, she’ll lose her magic forever. For most young witches and wizards, it’s a simple enough test:
ONE: Help your town, do good all around.
TWO: Live there for one moon, don’t leave too soon.
THREE: Fly home by broomstick, the easiest of tricks
[ID: the book Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch sits on a grey, yellow and pink cardigan with a pair of glasses next to it].
Title:Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch
Author:Julie Abe
Published by: Hachette
Publication Date: 12/10/21
Australian RRP: $15.99
Genres:fantasy, middle-grade,
Pages:416
Format:Paperback
Rating:5/5
Synopsis:
A charming new middle-grade fantasy adventure, about a young witch whose pinch of magic just might be more than enough, perfect for fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and Aru Shah and the End of Time.
Sometimes all you need is a pinch of magic…
Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn’t, she’ll lose her magic forever. For most young witches and wizards, it’s a simple enough test:
ONE: Help your town, do good all around.
TWO: Live there for one moon, don’t leave too soon.
THREE: Fly home by broomstick, the easiest of tricks.
The only problem? Eva only has a pinch of magic. She summons heads of cabbage instead of flowers and gets a sunburn instead of calling down rain. And to add insult to injury, whenever she overuses her magic, she falls asleep.
When she lands on the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, the residents expect a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. So Eva comes up with a plan: set up a magical repair shop to aid Auteri and prove she’s worthy. She may have more blood than magic, but her “semi-magical fixes” repair the lives of the townspeople in ways they never could have imagined. Only, Eva’s bit of magic may not be enough when the biggest magical storm in history threatens the town she’s grown to love. Eva must conjure up all of the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can muster or Auteri and her dreams of becoming a witch will wash away with the storm.
Review:
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch is a middle-grade fantasy story full of adventure, friendship and magic. The beautiful writing and interesting characters had me completely enthralled in the story. I’m so excited to continue reading the series.
Eva Evergreen wants to be a novice witch, but first, she needs to go on her witch’s quest. Eva only has a pinch of magic; she is excited to learn more on her quest. After Eva uses magic she is exhausted and goes faint. I experience a lot of fatigue with my chronic illnesses, everyday tasks can be completely exhausting so I could relate to Eva needing to rest after using her magic. I loved how much Eva became a part of the town and community. Friendship was such a big part of the story, it was great to see Eva’s friendship develop with Charlotte and Davy.
Overall, if you are looking for a fun and magical story full of heart and amazing characters, I highly recommend Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch!
BOOK REVIEW: Her Time to Shine by Fiona McCallum
Sometimes serendipity comes knocking, and life leads us to the most surprising places …
It’s never too late to find your true self.
[ID: a flatlay photo on a white sheet a black Kindle Oasis sits on a cream coloured book sleeve with woodland creatures on it. Brown leafy branches surround the Kindle and an open book sits in the top left corner].
Title:Her Time to Shine
Author:Fiona McCallum
Published by: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 30/03/22
Australian RRP: $32.99
Genres:fiction, contemporary,
Pages:432
Format:eARC
Rating:3/5
Synopsis:
Sometimes serendipity comes knocking, and life leads us to the most surprising places …
It’s never too late to find your true self.
While very pretty, the tiny town of Melrose isn’t where Erica thought she’d be at almost fifty. And working in a funeral home and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while navigating her grief as a recent widow, is not how she thought her life would look either. But she’s committed to her lovely new boss, Walter, who gave her a chance when she so desperately needed it.
Erica’s friends and daughters back in Adelaide cheer her on as she discovers a genuine love for her new job, forms friendships and immerses herself in the local community. But why is she being plagued with fresh bouts of anxiety and flashes of partial memories of her brother Mark who died when she was eleven? Why is there so much about him she doesn’t know and can’t remember? And why does it feel like it’s more about her than him?
But she has to put it all aside when, despite being happy and settled, Erica is suddenly called upon to step up and face her deepest fear. If she can, what will she discover about herself and her past? And what will it mean for her future?
From Australia’s master storyteller, a tender story about finding strength and fulfilment after major upheaval, and discovering you can only outrun your true calling for so long …
Trigger Warnings: PTSD, stalker, grief, death,
Review:
Her Time to Shine by Fiona McCallum is a contemporary fiction story about life in your late 40s, starting over and solving the mysteries of the past. The story follows Erica, a late 40s widow and mother of two, as she embarks on a new life in the country. Her Time to Shine showed how hard it is to settle into a new place and start a new job. The side characters were great; I especially liked Walter and Erica’s working relationship. Also, Bruce is the most adorable dog, and I loved how much her character brought to the story. I felt like the writing captured the setting of a small country town in South Australia and the comings and goings of country life. I liked the discussions of mental health in this book. However, I felt the story was slow-paced and dialogue-heavy, which sometimes made the book hard to get through.
Overall, if you are looking for a story about moving to a small town and finding yourself, I recommend picking up a copy of Her Time to Shine.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK REVIEW: Gallant by V. E. Schwab
Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home, it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.
Title:Gallant
Author:V. E. Schwab
Published by: Titan Publishing
Publication Date: 01/03/22
Australian RRP: $32.99
Genres:young adult, fantasy,
Pages:310
Format:Paperback
Rating:4/5
Synopsis:
Number one New York Times bestselling author Victoria Schwab spins a dark, original tale about our world full of life a world that mirrors it haunted by death and the manor that stands between them. The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak in this novel perfect for readers of Holly Black and Neil Gaiman.
Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home, it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.
Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unravelled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from.
Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?
Trigger Warnings: ableism, bullying, grief, death, death of a parent,
Review:
Gallant by V. E. Schwab is a young adult spooky tale about family, finding yourself, and home. From the first page, the eerie atmosphere of the story captured my attention. V. E Schwab’s writing is engaging and weaves a beautifully spooky tale.
Gallant tells the story of sixteen-year-old Olivia Prior as she is summoned to an estate and finds the family she didn’t know she had. Olivia has no voice and communicates through sign language, drawings and writing things down. I loved how the illustrations throughout Gallant helped to tell the story. Olivia is such an interesting character; she was determined to solve the mysteries of Gallant and what happened to her parents. The feelings of grief, loneliness and fear are explored so well in this book.
Overall, If you are looking for a dark, spooky and atmospheric tale, I highly recommend reading Gallant.
Thank you to Titan Publishing and New South Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK REVIEW: Wendy, Darling by A. C. Wise
For those that lived there, Neverland was a children’s paradise. No rules, no adults, only endless adventure and enchanted forests all led by the charismatic boy who would never grow old.
[ID: a flatlay photo of a hand holding the book Wendy, Darling on a white sheet with a book laying open underneath].
Title:Wendy, Darling
Author:A. C. Wise
Published by: Titan Books
Publication Date: 01/09/21
Australian RRP: $19.99
Genres:Fantasy, historical fiction
Pages:336
Format:Paperback
Rating:3.5/5
Synopsis:
For those that lived there, Neverland was a children’s paradise. No rules, no adults, only endless adventure and enchanted forests all led by the charismatic boy who would never grow old.
But Wendy Darling grew up. She has a husband and a young daughter called Jane, a life in London. But one night, after all these years, Peter Pan returns. Wendy finds him outside her daughter s window, looking to claim a new mother for his Lost Boys. But instead of Wendy, he takes Jane.
Now a grown woman, a mother, a patient and a survivor, Wendy must follow Peter back to Neverland to rescue her daughter and finally face the darkness at the heart of the island.
Trigger Warnings: homophobia, misogyny, bullying, physical abuse, torture, racism,
Review:
Wendy, Darling is a unique twist on the story of Peter Pan. It follows Wendy as an adult as she navigates life after Neverland. Wendy, Darling also follows Wendy’s daughter Jane as she is taken away to Neverland by Peter Pan. I was so intrigued by the premise of this story, and I liked how it captured the darkness of the original Peter Pan story by J. M. Barrie. However, I felt the ending was drawn out, and the climax scene lost some of the tense atmosphere that had been building up throughout the story. Jane and Wendy were interesting characters to read about; they both had different approaches and feelings regarding Neverland. It was heartbreaking to read about Wendy’s life after Neverland at St Bernadette’s. I liked how Wendy, Darling touched on important topics such as motherhood, friendship, mental health, sexuality and misogyny.
Overall, If you are looking for a dark reimagining of Peter Pan, I recommend picking up a copy of Wendy, Darling.
Thank you to New South Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK REVIEW: Luminous by Mara Rutherford
Her sister has been taken, and the only boy she’s ever loved has disappeared. To get them back, she’ll have to use the magic she’s always feared.
[ID: The book Luminous sits on a white sheet with a lit candle in a candle holder and a fanned out book blurred in the background].
Title:Luminous
Author:Mara Rutherford
Published by: Harlequin Australia
Publication Date: 05/01/22
Australian RRP: $19.99
Genre:fantasy, young adult,
Pages:384
Format:Paperback
Rating:4/5
Synopsis:
Her sister has been taken, and the only boy she’s ever loved has disappeared. To get them back, she’ll have to use the magic she’s always feared.
Liora has shone from within ever since a star collided with her house when she was a child. Since that day, she has spent her life indoors, only venturing out on the brightest days when her magic can’t be detected. For discovery could mean falling prey to the king’s warlock, Darius, who uses mages’ magic to grow his own power.
But when her worst nightmare comes to pass, and Darius discovers her, she’s not the one taken. Instead, he demands that her younger sister return to the capital with him to work under his watchful eye. To make matters worse, Evran, Liora’s childhood friend and the only one who knows her secret, goes missing following Darius’s visit, leaving Liora with no one to turn to.
To find Evran and to save her sister, Liora must embrace the power she has always feared. But the greatest danger she’ll face is yet to come, for Darius has plans in motion that will cause the world to fall into chaos and Liora and Evran may be the only ones who can stop him.
Trigger Warnings: grief, death, animal death,
Review:
Luminous is a young adult fantasy story filled with magic, stars, shadows, love and family. From the first chapter, I found Liora’s story intriguing. Mara Rutherford’s writing was enchanting; the twists and turns of the story kept me reading until the end.
Luminous follows Liora a young witch who is in hiding and yet to learn the full extent of her powers. I loved finding out more about her magic and seeing it develop as the story progressed. The balance between light and dark magic in Luminous was interesting. At first, I wasn’t sure about the romance but as the story went on and I got to know the characters more, the love story felt more believable. I think what I liked the most about Luminous was seeing Liora’s self-confidence grow throughout the story.
Overall, Luminous was an enjoyable read. I recommend picking up a copy if you love fantasy stories about magic, love and family.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
What books are you most anticipating in 2022? My most anticipated book is Amari and the Great Game by B. B. Alston. Amari and The Night Brothers was my favourite book I read in 2021. I LOVED THIS BOOK! Amari and The Night Brothers is a middle-grade fantasy story about magic, friendship, family and mysteries. From the first page to the last I didn’t want to put this book down, the story was so captivating and Amari was such an interesting character. I’m so excited for the next book in the series! I hope you are having a magical day.
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[ID: The book Amari and The Night Brothers sits on a wooden board with a fanned out book and a pair of glasses blurred in the background. Everything is sitting on a white sheet].
21 Books I Loved in 2021
What were some books you read and loved in 2021?
How did your reading go in August? Any new favourites? I read 7 books and have two new favourites The Boy from The Mish and Before the Coffee Gets Cold both books are amazing!! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
BOOK REVIEW: It’s Not You, It’s Me by Gabrielle Williams
Holly Fitzgerald has inexplicably woken up inside the body of an LA teenager called Trinity Byrne in 1980 - trapping Trinity in Holly’s forty-year-old body back in Melbourne, 2020. Mind. Officially. Blown.
[ID: A flatlay photo on a white sheet, the book It’s Not You It’s Me sits on a yellow jumper with a fanned out book and a black typewriter blurred in the background].
Title:It’s Not You, It’s Me
Author:Gabrielle Williams
Published by: Allen and Unwin
Publication Date: 31/08/21
Australian RRP: $19.99
Genres:contemporary, time travel, historical fiction, young adult,
Pages:288
Format:Paperback
Rating:4/5
Synopsis:
A literally life-changing novel about time travel, soulmates and serial killers that asks a very big question: Can you ever change your fate? This is award-winning YA author Gabrielle Williams’ most surprising, ambitious and dexterous book yet.
Holly Fitzgerald has inexplicably woken up inside the body of an LA teenager called Trinity Byrne in 1980 - trapping Trinity in Holly’s forty-year-old body back in Melbourne, 2020.
Mind. Officially. Blown.
Holly finds herself navigating a brand-new body, family and cute boy next door - not to mention rock band that might just make it, and potential kidnapper. Meanwhile, lies intersect with truth, hurtling both Holly and Trinity towards a dangerous fate as the connections between them grow deeper and stranger than either could have ever imagined.
Freaky Friday meets Pretty Little Liars - if the Liars were an all-girl punk band from the 1980s - in this highly original soul-swap story from the critically acclaimed author of My Life as a Hashtag.
Trigger Warnings: kidnapping, sexual assault, violence,
Review:
It’s Not You, It’s Me is a young adult contemporary/historical fiction story about Holly a 40-year-old woman living in Australia in 2020 and Trinity a Sixteen-year-old teenager living in America in 1980. Trinity and Holly’s souls are swapped and chaos ensues. It was hard to put this book down, the story was so engaging and you just wanted to find out what happens next. The soul swap was such an interesting concept, Holly and Trinity both cope with it so differently. I had a great time reading It’s Not You, It’s Me, it was an intriguing story about finding yourself, time travel, family and friendship.
Overall, If you are looking for a fun and interesting time travel story I recommend picking up a copy of It’s Not You, It’s Me!
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
