A.C. Harrah

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I really do enjoy the writing style that this author has, but this book fails prey to the same issues as the first one. It doesn't feel like a stand-alone book, it feels like it was meant to be a few chapters in one larger novel. There is a little bit more world-building, and we get to see some more characters. I still feel that if these two books and potential future ones had been all combined into one larger novel, the story would feel more cohesive. Also, the ending for this one is incredibly abrupt! It's a weird spot to end on as well, it's as if it got cut off at a random point.… (meer)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.5
This is a super cute short story, that is pure magical girl fun. This book is incredibly short, and the pace moves at a breakneck speed. You only learn some basics about the world before getting tossed into the action. The action scenes were well written, and it was self-evident that classic magical girl media inspired it. I honestly think this would make an excellent manga. The downside is that because the story is so short, it's a bit hamstrung by its lack of space to fully explain things. You only learn very bare bones about the world and the characters. Though, I am willing to forgive that slightly, since the author blurb says that this novella is "the first episode in the season" which is very clear in hindsight. Short of wish instead of being spread in several different novellas, they had been combined into one larger novel instead. The only other tiny nitpick is that I don't understand what the title has to do with the story, but that's just a minor thing that confused me personally. I already have my hands on the second novella, so I am curious to see how it continues!… (meer)

Royal Theft

This is the sequel to Turning curse. It`s not really a sequel since this one can be read as a stand-alone book since the author the major parts of the first one in this book.

Prince Alan still feels the humiliation and anger from his near wedding to Riona, decides to leave the castle and be a witness to the preparations of his brother Liam's wedding to Riona. She gives him a magic ball that he dead mother gave her and asks him to protect until his return to the wedding.

On his way, his carriage is highjacked by some thieves, lead by a manacing man named Brandon and includes Caden, a female named Robin. They rough up his guards, takes his clothes but takes the one important thing: the magic ball. Robin one of the thieves, needs his help, outnumbered he has no choice, he`ll do anything to get the ball back but has to fight his way to it.

There is some humour and action in this book. There wasn`t much romance which is surprising since it`s a fairy tale like book. The characters were well detailed, the story well developed. I like the fact that it was in some ways a continuation from the first book instead on continuing with Liam this was all about Alan. We got to see a softer side to him that wasn`t there in Turning Curse.
Good book, there are many unanswered questions about some characters like Jordan, Caden, Brandon and what happens to Alan and Robin? I’m pretty sure a third will be coming soon that will explore more about them.

Entertaining, action-packed book

3.5/5 stars… (meer)