The Blight of Muirwood: A Review (Legends of Muirwood #2)

Goodreads:

Rising from her humble beginnings as a lost orphan, Lia is summoned to be Muirwood Abbey’s protector and special guardian for Ellowyn Demont, the lost heir of the fallen kingdom of Pry-Ree. After the death of the ruthless king at the battle of Winterrowd, the great Aldermaston and Abbey leader calls on Lia to use her mystical talents to save Muirwood from two new threats—a vengeful queen accusing the Abbey of her husband’s death and a deadly plague threatening to destroy the land.

Amidst the turmoil, a battle ensues, and soon Lia learns the world’s magic has begun to falter. As a blanket of dread envelops the Abbey, hopes are tested, and Lia will be forced to come to terms with a secret that will change her life forever.

My Review:

Lia is now 15 and has been appointed the Hunter for the Abbey. I must admit, I was surprised at how good she was at it. She didn't rely on her power with the Medium as she trained, but rather she focused on building her physical strength and endurance.

And then when Colven comes back. Gah. I learned to love him from the first book but man, he just made me angry in this one. He couldn't admit his love for Lia because she wasn't a Maston like him, and he could only marry a Maston. So heaven forbid he reject her in a nice way, but no...

He should have had more faith in Lia.

But in this novel, Lia is forced to rely mostly on herself. She grows so much, it's incredible to see the change from the Lia of the first book to the Lia at the end of this one.

Again, such a good, wholesome, clean read. The fantasy world was so vivid, I wish I could visit.

4.5 out of 5!

The Wretched of Muirwood: A Review (Legends of Muirwood #1)

Goodreads:

In the ancient and mystical land of Muirwood, Lia has known only a life of servitude. Labeled a “wretched,” an outcast unwanted and unworthy of respect, Lia is forbidden to realize her dream to read or write.

All but doomed, her days are spent toiling away as a kitchen slave under the charge of the Aldermaston, the Abbey’s watchful overseer. But when an injured squire named Colvin is abandoned at the kitchen’s doorstep, an opportunity arises.

The nefarious Sheriff Almaguer soon starts a manhunt for Colvin, and Lia conspires to hide Colvin and change her fate. In the midst of a land torn by a treacherous war between a ruthless king and a rebel army, Lia finds herself on an ominous journey that will push her to wonder if her own hidden magic is enough to set things right.

At once captivating, mysterious, and magic-infused, The Wretched of Muirwood takes the classic fantasy adventure and paints it with a story instantly epic, and yet, all its own.

My Review:

This fantasy adventure was such a wonderful breath of fresh air. Not only did Lia and Colven’s story keep me up late at night, but it was so clean. There wasn't any language or dirty scenes. It has been a while since I've read such a good, wholesome book. Jeff Wheeler reminded me how you can write a good story without foul words or dirty sex scenes.

Now, for this story, Lia is about 13 years old and Colven about 17. So I appreciate that even though Lia had a crush on Colven, nothing happened beyond friendship. Because she's 13!

What I also loved was the world building. I walked beside Lia and her friends, I was there in battle with them, there when she discovered how to have more control over the medium, and there through her pain of being a wretched.

Lia is so good. Despite the lot she's been given in life, she loves with her whole heart and always strives to do what's right.

I also love the Aldermaston. Although I hated him at first, I learned just how an amazing mentor he is.

4 out of 5!

Away From the Dark: A Review (The Light #2)

Goodreads:

Nine months ago, Sara Adams awoke with no memory. The man holding her hand told her she’s a member of The Light, a tight-knit religious group led by the terrifying and charismatic Father Gabriel. As a woman in the community of The Light, her duty is to be unquestionably obedient and to submit to the will of her husband.

But as Sara’s memory starts to return and she remembers her past, she sees that everything she’s been told is a lie. The Light is an insidious and dangerous organization, and its corrupting influence reaches well beyond the confines of the remote campus where Sara is being held.

With everything at stake, Sara struggles to sort out her true memories from her indoctrination. The desire to escape consumes her, but who can she trust? And which other followers of The Light were forced into this life, brainwashed to believe they belonged? The more she remembers, the more it becomes clear that Jacob, the man who calls himself her husband, is keeping shattering secrets of his own.

But Sara cannot flee alone, leaving innocents behind. She must fight to extinguish The Light.

My Review:

*There are spoilers here if you haven't read the first book*



Sara begins to get her memories back, and we discover she is actually Stella. She stops taking her birth control (which has the memory suppressant drug) and escapes...only to learn more truths she wasn't expecting.

Despite everything Jacob has done to her, it now looks like he is her only hope. Although I still don't like him, I do appreciate what he does for her in this book. Plus, you learn more about him....but that still doesn't excuse the way he treated her or the other women in the cult. Gag.

This book was filled with intense moments where I feared if Sara/Stella would be okay. Sure Jacob was in danger too, but I don't really care if he dies. Blech.

This sequel's language was worse than the first and the sex scenes even more descriptive. Again, something I don't appreciate, but I skipped over them and did my best to enjoy the real story.

I'm still debating if I'll read the next book, but I am dying to know what will happen to The Light after what Sara/Stella did.

3 out of 5!

Into the Light: A Review (The Light #1)

Goodreads:

Sara Adams awakes blind, unable to remember the most basic details of her life, but her darkness seems a blessing when she discovers the terrors of The Light.

Stella Montgomery investigates the news from the mean streets of Detroit, where she’s noticed a disturbing trend: young women are vanishing. When her best friend disappears, Stella digs for answers—despite warnings from her police detective boyfriend—following a twisted trail that leads her through the city’s most dangerous and forsaken precincts. There she uncovers something more sinister than she could have imagined: a shadowy organization known as The Light, led by the enigmatic Father Gabriel.

As Sara struggles to understand her place in the strange world she’s awakened to—an oppressive cult demanding unquestioning obedience—and her feelings for Jacob, the husband she can’t recall and whose harsh and tender attentions confuse and beguile her, Stella risks all to discover the truth. But enlightenment always comes with a price.…

  My Review:

Cult's are terrifying.

Into the Light just shows how terrifying they are. The amount of brain washing, the creepy way they treat their people, and the abuse that goes on.

Sara is in a world where men are in control, where if you don't obey your husband or any other man, you are beat. She has no memory of her previous life, but she comes to trust her husband, Jacob.

I hate Jacob. He disgusts me. He talks about how much he loves Sara, but if he really did, he wouldn't beat her or yell at her, or force her to kneel when he comes home from work. Gah.

Outside of the The Light (the cult), Stella is doing her best to discover what exactly is going on...only when she gets to close...

This story was really good. However, there is a LOT of language, especially the "f" word, gag. And the sex scenes are a bit too descriptive for me, although they do demonstrate the culture of this cult... *shiver*

Despite my qualms, this was a captivating story.

3.5 out of 5!