Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
This book was so good. I loved it. So I’m just gonna jump right into all the things I loved about it!
I loved Clio. She was focused on their goal and smart and always trying to figure out what to do. She understood that they were in a life-or-death situation and therefore she would have to be ok with things she might not be ok with otherwise. But she was still that relatable, somewhat awkward, fumbling-through-situations girl. Like, I seriously would not have known what to do or say in the situations she was in (like how to barter with someone to be their guide to the Overworld), so it was realistic that she didn’t either. Also she flirted with someone by telling him he was a skilled botanist, which was just too funny, and it actually worked lol. But she was also badass when she needed to be.
Of course I loved Lyre too. I’m still so happy we get to have his POV in this series. I loved learning more and him and his past, and that sharp edge to him that Clio constantly mentions definitely feels present in his POV, and I totally understand why now. I felt terrible for him and felt his helplessness in the situation he was in. But he was still his super intelligent, skilled, smooth, able-to-think-on-his-feet self, despite all that.
I even loved Ash! I mean, I already loved him too, but seeing him through different eyes, seeing sides of him Piper never saw, was interesting.
Also, the magic in this series is incredible. The arrows, the weaves, the caste abilities, all of it. Annette Marie has the best descriptions of magic and whole magic system that I’ve ever read. I don’t even normally like fight scenes, but love them in these books because the magic is just so amazing. And seeing Lyre and Ash fight each other was something else entirely.
I think is also my favorite version of incubi that I’ve ever read. Incubi magic is all about sex, so it seems like they would be weak and not very formidable, but they do have power, and that power is scary. Also, we finally got to see how it was that Ash learned he wasn’t immune to incubus magic; I gotta say, it wasn’t the hilarious, sexy moment I thought it would be, but I’m glad to have finally learned that story.
We even got to learn a bit about a new caste this time! And to see a bit more of some castes I was already familiar with, but from a different perspective, i.e. as an enemy rather than an ally. And boy, are they formidable when they’re not on your side.
This book also had more action and a faster pace than the last one! I know I need to stop comparing this to Steel & Stone since they’re different series despite having some of the same characters, but this one felt much more like that series than The Night Realm did. It had the same great level of action and plot and kind of just one bad thing happening after another but in a really organic way that kept me gripped. The only complaint I have is that a couple characters made some questionably bad decisions near the end, but with everything else in the book being so good, I wasn’t too bothered.
This book was also less focused on romance than the previous one, it seemed, but the romance was definitely still there. When Clio explained about the plant, I swear I teared up <3 <3 <3
The writing was also great, although I’m not sure what age range to put this in. I don’t know how old the characters are, but this doesn’t quite feel like adult. It’s a little too mature to just be called YA though. I’d say either upper YA or NA.
Ok, I think I’ve gushed enough. Overall, this book had great characters, incredible magic, lots of action, and I read it in two days because I didn’t want to put it down!
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Annette Marie's Spell Weaver series. Anyone who likes new adult urban fantasy, incubi, romance, action, and lots of magic.
More Books in the Series:
Book Review: The Night Realm (Spell Weaver Book 1) by Annette Marie
Book Review: The Shadow Weave (Spell Weaver Book 2) by Annette Marie
Book Review: The Blood Curse (Spell Weaver Book 3) by Annette Marie
Ooh what a cool cover. Oh-oh it’s New Adult though *joke* Okay seriously. A nymph MC is kinda nice. And the magic sounds pretty awesome- I guess I don’t know what a nymph’s abilities would be, but something to do with nature I would assume? It sounds like with the castes and whatever that the magic system is pretty original. The fast pace sounds great too.
Lol this is the book that started all my NA tweets! Because I was going to remove NA as a tag but then I read this and was like, eh, but this feels like NA? I think? You know, I don’t really remember if she has plant magic or what was mentioned in Book 1, though I know she does know a lot about plants and like tehm. I just know she has some other types of magic because they were used throughout the book. But all the magic in these books is just incredible!
I don’t usually like fantasy, magic or incubi lol but this does sound good.
For What It’s Worth
Your comment is cracking me up because fantasy, magic, and incubi is like 90% of what this book is lol. But maybe it’ll make you change your mind about these things 😉
I already have the first book added to my wishlist. I love good UF with a heroine like Clio. And gotta love her flirt game. lol.
Awesome! It’s a great series, and I think you’ll like Clio. Her flirt game is so bad it’s good 😉
I think you loved this book huh? let me see. I’ll run a search. “Find word love on this page”. Yup. ELEVEN times in your review. it got 4.5 and this is the second book. And it’s about incubus. And is about the underworld. Is there a better place than the underworld? NOPE. And I quote you “the best descriptions of magic and whole magic system that I’ve ever read.”
I AM READING THIS SERIES.
Oh my goodness, haha I didn’t know I used the word love so many times. But just so you don’t get the wrong expectations, it’s not about the afterlife Underworld. It’s just there’s earth, and there are other realms called the Underworld and Overworld. Still interesting though! But girl, if you like good magic systems, I think you’re gonna love this one.
Also, it’s not just the 2nd in the series, it’s kind of a prequel series to another whole series, so this is the 8th book for me, and I’m still lovin’ it 😉 (But either series can be read first w/o reading the other, so no worries there!)
I SO need to pick up ALL of the Annette Marie books and read them. I’ve only read one so far (in her series that’s completely separate from this), but I really loved it. I just have to prepare myself for a massive binge and then read them all!!
You SO do! Lol. I vote that you should start with Steel & Stone, binge that whole series (because I read that one first and also entire series binges are awesome), then jump into this one XD
Your gushing is adorable and infectious! I LOVE IT when books make a reader gush like this!
Haha I know what you mean. It’s just awesome seeing bookworms get excited about books!
I have the first book in my kindle. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I am going to have to remedy that and soon. I’m happy to hear this is so good. Great review.
You are definitely going to have to remedy that! It’s an awesome series 🙂 Thanks!
For you to say this series has the best system of magic and possibly your favorite version of incubi is saying something. 😉 This author was already on my list – or rather your list of recs – and I’m going to read her in 2018. I’m happy you enjoyed this installment, Kristen. It does sound rather exciting, well written with great character development. Yep. Gonna read it. 🙂
Oh my gosh, it really does have the most amazing magic system and descriptions of magic. I love it. I think you’re going to really like these books!
I feel like the books you read always have characters with unusual and unique names. Half the time I’m wondering if I’m pronouncing them right! The last book I read about Incubi/Incubus was The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark (one of my favorite books). I really enjoyed it, and I was unfamiliar with the lore. I’m not sure I’ve read too many books that have a focus on Nymphs. They usually play smaller, background roles. I’m curious now, lol. And I always love a good Fantasy! I’m adding this to my TBR. Plus, you said you loved just about everything, so that is a big bonus. 🙂
I can’t help what the characters are named 😛 Apparently his name is pronounced like Liar, but I had already read I think five books about him by the time I found that out, so in my head it’s still like Leer lol. I’ll have to check that out! Incubi are one of my favorite supes. Their lore is pretty simple though. Basically sex demons who impregnate women while they’re sleeping. In books, they’ve become more like creatures with sex magic or who feed on sex. This is the first series I’ve read about nymphs though! Anyway, I hope you like this one if you read it!
This is a whole lot of raving about one book. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. There was obviously a lot of things done right and I have to say I seriously want to check out this series because you make it sound so so good. And there’s romance! I love romance.
Lol yeah, but it’s such a great series! You should check it out 🙂
I have the first book in this series on my to-read list, it really sounds like a great series so far! Clio sounds like a great main character with how she fumbles at times and can be awkward, but also goal oriented. And the dual pov seems like it works well here with how you also et to know him better and understand his character better.
And that sounds so awesome how the magic is so well done and the magic system. And the pacing and action all seems very well done too. It’s great when you find an all around good book like this. You definitely make me curious about this series. Great review!
It is great! You might like this series too. The dual POV was a smart move. The magic is so fantastic! I agree, it’s great when you find a series or book that just does everything well!
Yes! We both loved it! I’m so in love with this universe and I adore getting to see more to Lyre! And Clio! She continues to amaze me but in really realistic ways. I lol’ed at the skilled botanist line and the plant part was really touching. I may have also teared up.
Such an amazing author and a really great series. When are we getting book 3??? 😉
Okay – I need to know more about the questionable decisions thing? Who and what?
Also – that fight scene! I was thrilled to finally read about Lyre and Ash and the aphrodesia thing. ??
I love seeing the little things tie back to previously read books and moments. I found myself wishing that the plant had survived so that we could have seen it in S&S!
The thing is with this series is that I know it doesn’t have a happy ending because…. S&S! However the sequel series I’m really excited for. I’m wondering though what elements and satisfying conclusion to this Spell Weaver series AM is going to introduce? Obviously KLOC needs to be dealt with…. But I also want more. But I’m also greedy. ?
Well, we already discussed some of this on Twitter XD
I thought the aphrodesia would be, like, they made a bet or something, so Lyre used it on him and then Ash got all attracted to him momentarily or something. So not what I pictured, haha.
Gah, I know, it’s kind of weird knowing it doesn’t have a happy ending because of S&S, but I still feel so invested! But I mean, it might have a happy ending eventually… I feel so bad for Lyre!
I just love getting to learn more about Lyre! Hahaha I was cracking up during the whole flirting part. It was so bad that it was good. THE PLANT THING WAS SO SWEET. Especially since no one had ever done anything like that for Lyre before, and it was like he couldn’t even believe it.
I haven’t actually ever read about incubi magic at all, I don’t think. It sounds interesting? Maybe this series would be a good place for me to start with that as she seems to really do the magic system well. Again, I really am loving your enthusiasm for the characters! And a new POV is always good when it brings out characteristics of characters you didn’t notice before, like for Lyre. Great review x
This series (well, Steel & Stone which also has Lyre as a major character) was my first encounter with incubi in books, and I thought they were so interesting that I started looking for more books about them, and they’re one of my fave creatures now. So ye, this would totally be a good place to start reading about incubi! Especially since this is just overall a great series with great magic.
I have really enjoyed the Spell Weaver series, but I can’t help compare them to the Steel and Stone series! I love Clio as a MC since (as you mentioned) she is logical and smart in all her decisions, but it’s a little strange to read about Lyre’s backstory when I already know where he ends up in 5 years. However, I think that will amp up the tension in the final book in the trilogy, so I can’t wait to read that!
I keep comparing them too lol. It’s hard not to with Lyre as one of the MCs! I’m really enjoying getting his backstory though, even though I know where he ends up. I’m looking forward to the next book too!