Apprentice of Magic by K.M. Shea

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 358
Series: The Fairy Tale Enchantress
Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, YA, Clean Romance
Published: Feb 13, 2019
Rating: 2.5

Synopsis:

Angelique hates her magic.

Her time in the magical academy has been a long chain of criticisms, reprimands, and punishments. Her war-like ability to control any weapon has earned her nothing but the fear and scorn of fellow students and instructors.

And now, she finds herself before the highest council just one vote away from having her magic sealed forever.

Until Enchanter Evariste appears.

The mysterious prodigy is one of the few with the authority to go against the Council. Which is exactly what he does when he takes Angelique as his apprentice. Though his lessons are challenging and eccentric he shows her more kindness than she ever hoped to receive.

Everything seems perfect.

But things are changing in the world. Dark things. Evil things.

Once upon a time is about to become very real…

Apprentice of Magic is an epic fantasy fairy tale adventure mixed with clean romance and humor.

This new series is a companion to the bestselling Timeless Fairy Tales series.

Review:

The reason why I jumped into this book is that I need answers from the Timeless Fairy Tales series. This is a spin-off from that series where the focus is Angelique. There will be spoilers if you haven’t read the Timeless series.

We start off with how Angelique became Evariste’s apprentice. From there we get some of the teachings he gives as her master. So we are beginning before the Timeless Fairytales. We do get a brief mention when King Remy of Loire adopts Severin and then about almost halfway through we get to the start of the eighth book in the Timeless Fairy Tales series Sleeping Beauty. The book goes through fourteen years of Angelique’s apprenticeship.

I didn’t like this book nearly as much as I loved the Timeless Fairy Tales. I was actually disappointed by Shea’s writing of Evariste. He came off as a creeper 50% of the time and the other percentage I had no feelings toward him. From what I had gathered from the Timeless series was that they were very close. This just felt different. Like the relationship was forced.

I only did start to get into the book after Evariste was taken. Which were the last four chapters of the book. The only reason I am invested in this is due to needing answers that I did not receive at the end of the Timeless series. I may put this on the backburner due to the series not being complete.

Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

My edition: Kindle owned
Pages: 123
Stand Alone
Genre: Classics, Thriller
Published: September 1972
Rating: DNF no rating

Synopsis:

For Joanna, her husband, Walter, and their children, the move to beautiful Stepford seems almost too good to be true. It is. For behind the town’s idyllic facade lies a terrible secret—a secret so shattering that no one who encounters it will ever be the same.

At once a masterpiece of psychological suspense and a savage commentary on a media-driven society that values the pursuit of youth and beauty at all costs, The Stepford Wives is a novel so frightening in its final implications that the title itself has earned a place in the American lexicon.

Review:

What some people don’t know about me, is that I wouldn’t mind being a housewife. I wouldn’t mind being at home cleaning. But that is me. I do plan to homeschool my children when the time comes and maybe become a part-time employee somewhere. Now I am nowhere near what these wives are like. I probably won’t be cleaning at night, though that I am sure that will probably change with kids. Who knows? I don’t like cleaning at night.

To get to the story, Joanna and Walter move to Stepford. Stepford is like a place I have never heard of in my life. The only association is for men. Basically, men get to do what they want and women stay at home and clean. I do know what it means to be a Stepford Wife due to my mother making the references and all that.

Joanna tries to get some of the wives to get together and have a Women’s Liberation meeting for women, but none of the wives want to. They are not interested or they don’t have the time. There is one woman who tries to help her whose name is Bobbie. But she also has no luck in getting women who want to get together.

Another case of it’s me, not you. This classic wasn’t anything that caught my eye. I am going to assume this is based on stereotypes of the ’50s. Either way, it wasn’t for me. To figure out the rest of the plot I just did a quick research of the movies. By the way, the 2004 movie looked as if they made a mockery of the book while the 1975 version looked as if it would be something I would take my time to watch. But as far as finishing the book, nope. I plan on trying to find something else.

Snow White by K.M. Shea

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 324
Series: Timeless Fairy Tales #12 Final installment
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Fairytale retelling
Published: Dec 14th, 2018
Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Once upon a time, a princess and her stepmother ruled together with all happiness and joy…until the Queen’s chronic headaches and mood swings escalate to violence, and Princess Snow White is forced to flee for her life.

Snow White is certain that a dark magic has pushed her once loving stepmother into madness. Shy and bookish as she may be, she will do whatever is necessary to save the Queen, even if it means approaching the infamous Seven Warriors—a group of outspoken fighters who live in the forest—to ask for their help. Unfortunately, six of the men are not convinced the Queen can be redeemed.

But Fritz, the seventh warrior, is different.

Hailed as both a deadly fighter and a humble forester, Fritz senses there is more to the Princess than there appears to be. When magical horrors attack, his mind is made up, and the Seven Warriors pledge their loyalty to Snow White.

With the warriors helping her, Snow White is certain her stepmother can be saved. But just when victory seems near, a poisoned apple changes everything…

Review:

The Seven Warriors (seven dwarves)

• Marzell- Doc
• Fritz-
• Rupert- Sneezy
• Oswald- Grumpy
• Gregori- Sleepy
• Aldelbert- Dopey
• Wendal-

Well, I don’t have a happy or a bashful. So there are two dwarves that weren’t fully represented. But I did love the seven warriors. They were funny and great minor characters to our three main. Having a heroine who struggles with public or well speaking to anyone who is a stranger is a great touch. Not only does Snow have to battle magical creatures she has to learn to trust herself and slowly get better at speaking. I am very thankful that Shea wrote her to slowly overcome her anxiety and that Fritz has to tell Snow that she can’t expect herself to be the best at it when she only has started to have control over it. I loved that.

While this is action packed and we do get some of the answers that we have been hoping for, not all of them are in this book series. The ending was so good and then it says the rest of what happens is in The Fairy Tale Enchantress.

Well I guess the good news is I don’t have to question myself on what to read next. I will be hopping on over because I need to know what will happen to the Chosen. What will happen now with Angelique?

I need those answers. On to a new series.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses by K.M. Shea

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 288
Series: Timeless Fairy Tales #10
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Fairy tale retelling
Publish: Jan 19, 2018
Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Quinn is a loyal soldier of Farset, willing to risk her life on behalf of her country and squad. So, when a fellow soldier volunteers for a dangerous mission, Quinn joins him. Their assignment is to investigate the nightly disappearance of the twelve royal princesses, a mystery none have solved as those who attempt it vanish. But when she follows the girls, Quinn uncovers the truth: the princesses are cursed, and they’re not alone.

Emerys, the sarcastic and brash King of the Elves, has lost all hope. His people have been prisoners in their own forest for years, and night after night an unbreakable curse forces them to dance and celebrate against their will. But everything changes when Quinn saves Emerys’ life and the pair form an unlikely friendship. Together, they just might be able to free the princesses and the elves.

However, those who cursed the elves will do anything to keep them restrained. And if Quinn breaks the spell, she may pay for it with her life.

Will she succeed? Or will Emerys and the elves be lost…forever?

THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES is a fairy tale retelling and the tenth book of the TIMELESS FAIRY TALES series. Filled with magic, unbreakable curses, elves, and witty banter, it can be enjoyed as an individual stand-alone book, but will be most enjoyable if read after other books from the series.

Review:

Oh my word! This is my favorite out of the series. I loved the action and the adventure. Also there are finally answers to some of the questions that have been brought up slowly throughout the series.

Emerys and Quinn are so cute together. The storyline in these last two books have really piqued my interest. I want to know more about the Chosen. Where has Lord Enchanter been all this time and will they ever find him?

While I did say this answered some questions, it didn’t answer all of them. But there may have been new light shed on them and I have some guesses of what it could be but I have to read the next book which I think is they final book.

I want this to end but I don’t want it to end.

The Frog Prince by K.M. Shea

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 230
Series: Timeless Fairy Tales #9
Genre: Fantasy, Fairy tale retelling, YA
Published: Nov 3rd 2017
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Crown Prince Lucien has spent his life pretending to be a flirtatious idiot in order to manipulate his courts and hide his deficiencies. His acting backfires, however, when his father orders an enchantress to turn him into a frog for his own safety after he narrowly escapes an assassination plot.

Servant. Capable. Expendable. Strong-willed Ariane is all of these things, which makes her the perfect escort for the newly transformed Frog-Prince Lucien. Carting the lazy prince around on a velvet cushion is the last thing Ariane wants to do when it seems like the dark magic that has been plaguing her world for years is winning. But when a pair of rogue mages attack Prince Lucien, Ariane realizes the threat of darkness is much closer than she thought.

Even worse, she finds herself drawn to the prince and noticing that perhaps he is not as foolish as he acts…

Can Ariane break the spell on Lucien’s body and his heart and convince him to step into his role as the Crown Prince, or will the mages kill them both?

THE FROG PRINCE is a fairy tale retelling and the ninth book of the TIMELESS FAIRY TALES series. Filled with witty banter, fat frogs, and political intrigue, it can be enjoyed as an individual stand-alone book, but will be most enjoyable if read with other books from the series

Review:

I didn’t know how to feel when I went into this story. The only Frog Prince/Frog Princess story I have ever really sat down and took interest in was the Disney version based in Louisiana.

Ariane and Lucien’s relationship was funny. Lucien has to be turned into a frog so an indestructible spell may be put on him for his safety. At first I wasn’t a fan of Lucien, but after he became a frog I couldn’t stop laughing. Ariane is roped into carrying around the frog prince to the summit and to the meals.

The humor in this was as good as in Puss in Boots. I adore this couple. It’s hard to think I only have two more books left in this series.

Sleeping Beauty by K.M. Shea

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 272
Series: Timeless Fairy Tales #8
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Fairy Tale retelling
Publish: Dec 15, 2016
Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis:

Briar Rose, a clever peasant girl, feels only pity for the mysterious Princess Rosalinda–the hidden princess who was cursed to prick her finger on a spindle and fall asleep until true love’s kiss awakens her. But her pity turns into horror when Briar learns she is the secret princess, and Isaia, her childhood friend, is really a Magic Knight sworn to protect her.

Briar reluctantly embraces her new life as a princess, and is reunited with her mother, father, and her grandfather–the king. But calamity strikes when Carabosso, the evil mage who cursed her as a baby, returns and plunders the countryside. Unfortunately, the king refuses to dispatch the Magic Knights to protect the people, and instead orders the knights to stay in the capital to guard Briar. But Briar is not the demure princess her family desires, and she vows to save her people if her parents and grandfather will not.

Will the curse consume Briar, or–with help from Isaia–can she beat Carabosso at his own game?

SLEEPING BEAUTY is a fairy tale retelling and the eighth book of the TIMELESS FAIRY TALES series. The books in this series take place in the same world and can be read all together, or as individual, stand-alone books. If you enjoy compelling characters, sweet romance, and magical jokes, download a sample or buy it today!

Review:

Briar Rose grew up in a small village. She had her best friend Isaia and she was in search of an easy and carefree life. That is until she finds out she is the cursed princess and Isaia is really a Magic Knight of Sole. She is then whisked away to the palace to wait until her curse hits or if she can find her true love.

I didn’t like Briar at first. She seemed a bit annoying. But about halfway through I started liking her. I am not a fan of Isaia. I mean he was written great but compared to the other heroes in this series he just falls flat. Maybe it’s just me.

So far this is my least favorite of the series and it is based on my second favorite fairy tale. I am a little sadden by the thought. But on to the next in the series which is The Frog Prince which I am in love with Disney’s reimagine of the classic story.

Swan Lake by K.M. Shea

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 232
Series: Timeless Fairy Tales #7
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Fairy tale retelling
Published: June 16th, 2016
Rating: four stars

Synopsis:

Will she choose to save her country or free herself?

Cursed to be a swan by day, Odette spends her nights leading a band of smugglers and delivering illegal goods. Though she longs for her spell to be broken, she is stuck flattering the evil sorcerer who cursed her.

When the kind and witty Prince Alexsei tracks Odette and her crew to their camp, Odette fears he is yet another complication she must manage. Instead, Alexsei slowly endears himself to her and searches for a way to break her curse–but with every visit he risks alerting the sorcerer to his presence.

When the sorcerer launches an attack against the royal family, Odette is pulled between her love for Alexsei and her loyalties to her crew. Will she choose to fight with Alexsei, or fulfill her responsibilities as a leader and smuggler?

SWAN LAKE is retelling of the ballet, and is the seventh book of the TIMELESS FAIRY TALES series. The books in this series take place in the same world and can be read all together, or as individual, stand-alone books. If you enjoy compelling characters, sweet romance, and magical jokes, download a sample or buy it today! 

Review:

I want to point out that I have never seen the full play of Swan Lake. I know the concept to a point due to watching Black Swan featuring Natalie Portman. Now that being said I love Shea’s writing. I first found her through the first book of the series. I loved her twist to these classics and I also love the clean romance.

Swan Lake is about Odette who for four years now has been cursed to be a swan by day and her normal human self by night along with twenty-two others. She meets Prince Alexsei who wins his way into her camp. Odette and Alexsei along with friends have to find a way to break the curse and defeat the evil sorcerer.

Once again I love Shea’s reimagining. I didn’t quite know how I felt about Odette there at first but I did end up liking her. Now she’s not anywhere near my favorites from this series but I will say she ranks above Dylan (The Little Selkie).

Alexsei was adorable and I admired his brother’s dimwittedness as the comedy relief. I can’t wait to jump into the next book and see the adventure continue and how Angelique will help save the day next.