Today I am on the ‘Bookminder’ series by M.K Wiseman Blog tour.
Three books in one tour. They are Young Adult/Adult Historical Fantasy novels that had me reading them all concurrently. I just HAD to keep on reading!
First up:
Bookminder
SYNOPSIS
Istria, 1679 A.D.
Sired by magick and violence, sixteen-year-old Liara is found guilty of witchcraft and banished from her tiny village by the very priest who raised, then betrayed her. However, a mysterious mage steps forward to assume custody of her: Nagarath, the Wizard of Parentino, whose secret spellwork has long protected both Liara and Dvigrad from the ravages of war.
Despite Liara’s best hopes, Nagarath refuses to apprentice her to his craft but tasks her instead with the restoration of his neglected library. Liara gleans magickal knowledge on the sly, but her stolen spells renew an evil wizard’s interest in the people of the Limska Draga valley.
Only by tapping Liara’s inherent magick and joining it with his own can Nagarath protect Parentino from suffering a horrible fate. However, her discovery of his secrets destroys their fragile trust and ignites the darker tendencies of her gift. Now, he must rescue her from the influence of his mortal enemy before their powerful new alliance destroys them all.
Review
A series I was inquisitive about as soon as I read the synopsis for all the books. I do tend to enjoy fantasy and I love history, so I was quite interested to get stuck into ‘Bookminder’ immediately.
We follow Liara and a Mage who helps her along the way, Nagareth. I straight away felt for Liara, sixteen and banished. I was either wanting to protect her or cheering her on. The fact she had Nagareth with her was good to see. Their relationship grows as the story unfolds and I found it interesting to watch and found I felt like my connection was growing towards these two characters.
M.K Wisemans’ world-building made for a really enthralling read. That is part of my fascination with fantasy, the intricate worlds I visit and the better the world building the more interesting and understandable story. As a beginning to a new fantasy world and series, it was a great start. M.K Wiseman has easily brought a book that I thoroughly loved spending time in. The characters are well fleshed out and they make you want to know more. With this in mind of we go to:
The Kithseeker
SYNOPSIS
France, 1680 A.D.
Liara’s defense of the Wizard Nagarath has rendered Anisthe incantate—bereft of all magick—but even this has failed to guarantee Liara’s safety. The death of the war mage would seal Liara’s own fate, and so the wizard and his bookminder must keep him in their sites and yet as far away from themselves as possible.
With nothing but a storybook and a hunch, Anisthe has set off on a journey across Europe, aided by his half-fey manservant, in search of a legendary mirror that contains the most powerful magick ever known. Although the stuff of fairytales, the merest possibility of its truth embarks Nagarath and Liara on a race to discover the mirror before it falls into the hands of Nagarath’s lifelong foe. Both know should he lay claim to that power, Liara would be at the mercy of her father-in-magick and his lust for power, and not even Nagarath could save her.
Thus, the pair find themselves at the court of the Sun King, a world hostile to magick users, hopelessly surrounded by agents whose sole purpose is destroy them. Uncertain whom is friend or foe, with Anis the nipping at their heels, they must unearth the mirror before its evil is released, or worse, lays claim to Liara’s magick as well and brings doom upon them all.
Review
This is the second book in the ‘Bookminder’ series. It picks up the story from the point that the first book ends, I think this is fabulous for continuity as it’s a really smooth transition. With this in mind though I do think that if you plan to read these books it would be best to read in the right order.
Whenever I began a new series I always hope that as it grows every book will be either the same calibre as the first or even better. ‘The Kithseeker’ fulfilled that hope – and more. It uses the foundations laid in book one to further develop the characters and events from the first book. We see more of an action-packed type of story with this book. I truly enjoyed the 1680 setting in France it was an immersive read as I love history and this book brings it in spades. Reading history with a magical twist is so good!
The characters for me are getting more and more realistic. Liara is growing as the books go on and it is nice to see. Nagarath is so quirky and funny, I am loving spending my time in this magical world that is steeped in a rich history as well.
The Fate Wreaker
SYNOPSIS
England, 1680 A. D.
Liara and Nagarath’s enemy has unexpectedly come to their aid, surrendering to the magick-suppressing forces of the king of France so as to buy time for their escape. But that doesn’t necessarily mean Anisthe is on their side. Vrsar’s war mage, Liara’s father-in-magick, has never been a man do to things for others. And he has always has plans within plans.
In fleeing to England with his apprentice, the Wizard Nagarath realizes that Liara’s power is no longer her own to command. With the shattering of Khariton’s magick mirror in the Palace of Versailles, the young woman has become trapped in an alliance with the ancient and evil mage. What is more, at eighteen-years-old, her life remains tied to Anisthe’s for another two years per the Laws of Magick. Anisthe, who is now imprisoned for having helped them evade the king’s spellpiercers.
Forced to revisit his own past, Nagarath is finally learning that there are some histories you cannot outrun. As for Liara, the darkness within her heart is greater than she ever could have imagined. This after Dvigrad’s orphaned magpie having finally learned to love. For, in the words of Khariton himself, “In magick you can never have friends. Only rivals.”
Review
The third book in the ‘Bookminder’ series and one which I have to say is the one to tip the scales for being my favourite out of the three. Not to say the other two books aren’t excellent, far from it! Just read all three in order and I am sure you will feel the same as I do.
This is the book that puts our beloved characters into the hardest situations up to this point. This meant I was pretty much flipping the pages so quickly to try to find out what would happen next. Definitely a series to grab you and hold you… from book one to book three.
I was so immersed again, it was just as intriguing as when I started the series and doesn’t let up. A great read to sweep you away and into a historical place and time accompanied by magic. What else do you need? Well, I didn’t need anything else.
A fabulous series that I would highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a fantasy read with a bit of history and magic to add to the mix.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the copies of the books and my place on this tour.
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