“Weylin’s eyes locked on hers, and Bryanna saw something raw within their smoky-blue depths, a deep vulnerability that he was helpless to hide, caught in the moment as they were.” (p. 237)
★★★☆☆
🌶
Series: Bryanna Nicholls Chronicles, Book 1
Review:
First, I would like to thank the author and Hidden Gems for providing me with a free advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
An epic fantasy with immersive world-building
The youngest sorceress in a century, Bryanna will stop at nothing to exact vengeance upon the Brotherhood of Siorruidh for murdering her cousin, Aveline. Her aunt, Obelia, sought vengeance years ago but mysteriously stopped hunting the Brotherhood. Bryanna travels to stay with Obelia at her tower, where she encounters boarders and her aunt’s patients, some of whom are dangerous. Getting revenge may be much more challenging than Bryanna could have imagined, and she will have to decide whether the lives of those she cares about are worth trading for her success.
This epic tale is bursting with Celtic mythical creatures. Those with an affinity for mythology and magic will enjoy the immersive world-building. Bryanna’s character arc is well-developed; as skilled as she is, Bryanna has a lot to learn and is often humbled. Her brother, though a minor character, is one of my favorites for his sarcasm and wit. The romance in
The Mage’s Sanctuary is not a major element of the narrative, so those who enjoy romantasy might not enjoy this book.
As the first installment in an epic fantasy series, a lot of build-up is expected, but the pacing of
The Mage’s Sanctuary is incredibly slow. Despite being less than 400 pages, the book felt much longer. Because of this, the story failed to hold my interest, and I won’t be continuing the series.
Audience: young adult
Trigger warnings: violence, death, grief, death of a child, animal death, poisoning
Recommended for fans of: epic fantasy, romantic subplot, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, Celtic mythology, vengeance, mythical creatures, magic
Publisher's Synopsis:
The Brotherhood of Sìorruidh’s reign is about to be challenged...
Bryanna Nicholls has spent years harboring a fierce determination to avenge her cousin Aveline’s brutal murder at the hands of the Brotherhood of Sìorruidh. Discovering that her aunt, the renowned mage and healer, Obelia Nicholls, once sought the same vengeance, Bryanna embarks on a journey to the Mage’s Sanctuary, Obelia’s secluded healer haven.
But once there, Bryanna faces unexpected resistance from her aunt, who tries to dissuade her from her quest. Bryanna won’t be swayed, though. Not by her aunt, and certainly not by her surly and infuriatingly attractive boarder, Weylin Conveil, who stirs feelings she’d rather ignore and believes her to be nothing more than a spoiled socialite.
As Bryanna delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Brotherhood and the key to their downfall, she finds herself unwittingly drawing the Brotherhood of Sìorruidh to her aunt’s sanctuary. With lives at stake—including her own—Bryanna finds herself forced to make a choice: abandon her quest or risk the wrath of the Brotherhood of Sìorruidh and in so doing, endanger the lives of everyone she holds dear.
Perfect for fans of epic fantasy adventures brimming with magic, resilient heroines, and a simmering enemies-to-lovers romance, all set against the rich backdrop of British and Celtic mythology.
Source:
Hidden Gems
©Find Your Unicorn Press: November 25, 2024
Edition: Digital ARC
377 pages
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