I was drawn to VenCo because it was recommended for fans of Practical Magic and indeed it has those vibes. Narrated by Michelle St. John, VenCo by Cherie Dimaline tells the story of what happens to Lucky St. James & her cantankerous grandmother when she finds a spoon. Magic, suspense, humor and witches await you….

VenCo
by Cherie Dimaline
Narrator: Michelle St. John
Length: 11 hours and 10 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.45x

For fans of The Once and Future Witches and Practical Magic, comes an incredibly imaginative, highly anticipated new novel featuring witches, magic, and a road trip across America—from Cherie Dimaline, the critically acclaimed author of Empire of Wild.

Lucky St. James, a Métis millennial living with her cantankerous but loving grandmother Stella, is barely hanging on when she discovers she will be evicted from their tiny Toronto apartment. Then, one night, something strange and irresistible calls out to Lucky. Burrowing through a wall, she finds a silver spoon etched with a crooked-nosed witch and the word SALEM, humming with otherworldly energy.

Hundreds of miles away in Salem, Myrna Good has been looking for Lucky. Myrna works for VenCo, a front company fueled by vast resources of dark money.

Lucky is familiar with the magic of her indigenous ancestors, but she has no idea that the spoon links her to VenCo’s network of witches throughout North America. Generations of witches have been waiting for centuries for the seven spoons to come together, igniting a new era, and restoring women to their rightful power.

But as reckoning approaches, a very powerful adversary is stalking their every move. He’s Jay Christos, a roguish and deadly witch-hunter as old as witchcraft itself.

To find the last spoon, Lucky and Stella embark on a rollicking and dangerous road trip to the darkly magical city of New Orleans, where the final showdown will determine whether VenCo will usher in a new beginning…or remain underground forever.

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Lucky lives with her grandmother in an apartment in Toronto. For a young woman, she has her hands full. Her grandmother Stella and she are in danger of being evicted in part because her Stella is suffering from dementia. One night something urges Lucky to burrow through a hole in the laundry room and there she discovers a silver spoon etched with a crooked-nosed witch and the word SALEM. The story that unfolds will take the women on a journey, filled with new friendships, danger and magic.

I easily slipped into this story and liked Lucky. Her grandmother Stella made me laugh from her lucid moments to her antics. When Lucky gets a job offer in Salem, the two travel to Massachusetts by car and end up at the home of Myrna Good, owner of VenCo. She provides the two women rooms in her home/business and it’s here Lucky meets other women, each in possession of a silver spoon with a crooked witch and the words SALEM.

Through talks of the witch trials, and the dark hunters who destroyed their covens, we learn about the spoons and the seven spoons needed to begin a coven again. While the women prepare for the ceremonies, Lucky and Stella head out in search of other witches who can help them locate the seventh spoon.

The trip was suspenseful, fun and fascinating, but not without danger. Jay Christos, a powerful and deadly hunter, will stop at nothing to thwart their plans. The story builds and ends up taking them to New Orleans. It was an addictive story, from the visions to the witches.

Michelle St. John narrates and does a stellar job of capturing not only Lucky and Stella but Jay the villain. The story worked well in audio format, and I quickly devoured it.

Fans of Practical Magic, Garden Spells and other witchy titles will enjoy this story.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Audiobook Challenge
• COYER 2023 Upside Down
• COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/venco-by-cherie-dimaline.html

Today is a special day for Cherry the mermaid as she celebrates her birthday and wishes to make new friends. With a burst of magic, Cherry is transported to Fizzheart, a wondrous fairyland where she meets four new fairy friends who each possess unique magical talents. Together, they embark on an unforgettable adventure where Cherry is transformed into a fairy, and they spend the day learning about each other, playing games, and having a great time. However, Cherry is reminded of her birthday party with her mermaid friends and the need to return home. Will she find the magic within her to make her way back home?

Cherry’s Big Wish is a captivating children’s book that takes young readers on a magical journey, teaching them that they possess the magic within themselves to achieve their dreams. Author Céline Beckner tells a fast-moving story that is filled with charismatic characters and charming creatures both under the sea and on land. The plot is highly imaginative and presented in easy-to-understand language that is suitable for early elementary school children to read independently or as an enchanting bedtime story.

The illustrations in this fantastic children’s book are striking and colorful, capturing the reader’s imagination on every page. Each character is expertly drawn and looks as if they could be straight out of a Disney animation. The characters are diverse and unique in their own way, bringing a sense of diversity and authenticity to the story.

Cherry’s Big Wish is a delightful children’s book that follows a charming mermaid on an exhilarating adventure where she discovers new friends, learns about herself, and has fun while doing it. I highly recommend this spirited children’s book to anyone looking for a magical fantasy adventure.

Pages: 30 | ISBN: 1999167813

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/27/cherrys-big-wish/

In Ray LeCara Jr’s The Forgotten Prophecy, readers are treated to a captivating blend of supernatural elements and international intrigue that elevates the young adult genre to new heights. Set against the backdrop of Catholicism’s epicenter, the narrative follows protagonist Simon Free as he grapples with vivid dreams, the tragic loss of his uncle, and an unspoken foreboding about his town’s future. As Simon enlists the aid of an unlikely group of allies to unravel the truth, he discovers his crucial role in an ancient prophecy. He faces a profound choice: uphold his family’s traditions or adhere to his personal convictions, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance.

The Forgotten Prophecy challenges Simon’s faith and the reader’s, with LeCara Jr’s evocative writing style and vivid imagery exploring the intriguing concept of a conscious, living evil. The novel poses the thought-provoking question: “If evil is natural, would you still try to stop it?” Delving into this philosophical theme, LeCara Jr’s work resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impression. Religious readers will appreciate the authentic incorporation of Christian motifs and quotations throughout the text. However, this engrossing tale also appeals to a broader audience, with its gripping narrative that builds tension and anticipation with each page.

Fans of Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, James Erith’s Power and Fury, or Amber R Duell’s Dream Keeper will find much to enjoy in The Forgotten Prophecy. As readers accompany the reluctant hero on his quest for truth, they may find themselves questioning their own beliefs. Undoubtedly, this stimulating and emotionally charged novel merits a resounding endorsement.

Pages: 405 | ASIN : B0B95TTRBF

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/27/the-forgotten-prophecy/

In a world where love is the ultimate conqueror, navigating the complexities of merging one’s life with another’s can prove to be a daunting task. Alas, the scarcity of outstanding and eligible partners only adds to the challenge. Nevertheless, the quest for a compatible mate should never be abandoned, as destiny may have it that one’s soulmate is out there waiting for them.

Snowfall, a novel penned by the talented Hermione Lee, transports readers to a world where Pristina Cardin, an ice witch, resides in her solitary ice manor on a mountaintop. With little interaction with the outside world, Pristina found solace in the confines of her icy abode. Unbeknownst to her, a nefarious character lurked in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment to rid the world of her presence.

It was not until another witch was hired to eliminate her that Pristina’s life was forever altered. Instead of carrying out the original plan, the witch cursed her with a timeline of one year, after which she would meet her demise by melting into the floor of her manor. Isolated and resigned to her fate, Pristina never envisioned the possibility of love or companionship until Gabriel, a wealthy wizard engaged to a manipulative woman named Marleigh, entered her life.

The novel’s enchanting storyline and portrayal of true love restores hope to those yearning for their soulmate. Hermione Lee’s vivid and engaging writing style effortlessly draws readers into the story, while the plot’s fast-paced twists and turns keep them guessing. The author’s ability to craft well-rounded characters with whom readers can connect emotionally is particularly noteworthy.

Pristina, the novel’s compelling protagonist, is a character that readers will undoubtedly adore. I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy and romance, as Hermione’s writing is exceptional, and the story is both charming and engaging. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to reading more books by this incredible author.

Pages: 204 | ASIN: B0BWFQDD59

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/27/snowfall/

A mystical world where all is not as it seems. The downfall of a spectacular civilization with powers that span time and space. Children, twins, borne of magic. An exciting prophecy and the potential to save the universe. All of this is packed within the pages of Wish Star World by L.A. Burnett. A fantastical adventure spanning space and time, readers will find themselves swept away by the constant action and intriguing storyline. Our twins, Phoebe and Clarence, are more than even their parents realize, with potential spanning generations. Buckle up, readers, you are in for a ride.

Combining magic, time travel, space travel, and adventure, the twins find themselves swept up in a seemingly endless adventure. The pacing for the story itself is relatively good and easy to follow. Burnett doesn’t just explain or over-explain the universe that was created and the rules within it. They show it to the readers. Little bits are explained organically throughout the story, which makes it easier to understand and enjoy. More traditional high fantasy or science fiction books often spend too much time explaining their reasonings and the rules of the world. As such, this book gives the feel of a Terry Pratchett or Neil Gaiman-type story in that the author trusts the readers will understand. And we do.

The character development in this book is truly impressive, and it’s evident that the author invested a lot of effort into crafting them. However, while the ending may have felt a bit rushed, it’s possible that this is just the beginning of an exciting new series. With the fast-paced events that occur at the end of the book, readers are left eager to learn more about what comes next. It’s hard to say for sure if subsequent volumes will clear up the story’s loose ends, but the potential for a continued series is definitely there. It’s possible that the author is exploring new ideas with this book and will expand on them if readers respond positively. Overall, I’m excited to see where this series goes and look forward to future installments!

A delightful mash-up of fantasy, space, time travel, and adventure will await readers in the pages of Wish Star World by L.A. Burnett. This fantastical book follows the journey of twins Phoebe and Clarence as they learn more about their heritage than they bargained for. It packs a lot of punch, and the characters are well-developed.

Pages: 240 | ASIN: B0828GCV8Y

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/27/wish-star-world/

In Is There Evidence for God?: An Economist Searches for Answers, author Robert Genetski embarks on a compelling exploration of religious beliefs, existential questions, and the intricacies of faith. Drawing on his background as an economist, Genetski offers unique insights and informed perspectives on a range of topics, from the existence of God and life after death to miracles and atheism. Throughout the book, he shares personal anecdotes and inspiring stories that have shaped his own spiritual journey, inviting readers to reflect on their beliefs and form their own perspectives.

Opening with the thought-provoking question “To believe or not to believe,” Genetski sets the tone for a balanced and inquisitive examination of faith. He approaches each topic with logical reasoning and thorough explanations, ensuring that readers are given a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Moreover, Genetski’s objectivity and intentionality in presenting his findings make for a refreshing and engaging read.

The book’s structure lends itself well to an organized and systematic exploration of complex themes. Divided into five distinct parts, Genetski delves into topics such as the concept of an eternal God, supernatural life, world religions, and evidence of God in the contemporary world. The fifth section, a more personal account of the author’s own experiences and lessons learned in his search for God, provides a captivating and intimate touch.

One standout topic is the examination of world religions, which offers readers an enlightening and unbiased look at the doctrines and practices of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and other faiths. Additionally, the discussion of historical divine sightings and events, such as the children of Fatima, Jesus’ burial garments, and the occurrences at Tepeyac Hill, Mexico, in 1531, provides intriguing evidence for those seeking to understand the divine.

I highly recommend this book to those interested in religious studies and history. Genetski’s impartial and informative approach will appeal to readers seeking to broaden their understanding of faith and engage in thoughtful reflection on their own beliefs.

Pages: 216 | ISBN: 0998222720

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/27/is-there-evidence-for-god/