MAGICAL ELEMENTS OF THE PERIODIC TABLE

 

PRESENTED ALPHABETICALLY

 

BY THE ELEMENTAL DRAGONS

 

Magical Elements of the Periodic Table, Book 2

 

By Sybrina Durant

 

Children’s Picture Book / STEM / Chemistry

Publisher: Sybrina Publishing

Page Count: 44

Publication Date: March 9, 2024

 

 

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In this unique alphabet book, members of the Elemental Dragon Clan present 26 Magical Elements of the Periodic Table in alphabetical order. Each member of the clan has an element tipped tail. They also have magical powers based on the properties of their metals. There are no more perfect groups than unicorns and dragons to familiarize yourself with elements from the Periodic Table. Their theme is: “No Metal — No Magic. . .and No Technology.”

In this book, Antz starts out the book by introducing the very necessary metal, Antimony on his element page. Zora rounds out the alphabet by presenting scientific facts and other fun information about the metal, Zirconium, on her elemental page. In all, readers will get some great insight into the properties of 26 elements from the periodic table. Each page is full of amazing facts and tons of FUN. There’s a Magical Elemental themed periodic table, too!

This unique book will help tweens, teens and anyone else quickly absorb the elements of the Periodic Table.

REMEMBER. . .
No Metal,
No Magic…
And No Technology.
It’s Techno-Magical!

 

 

Paperback │ eBook │Hardcover

 

 

 

 

Much like the first book with the unicorns, this book is filled with facts relayed in a fun way and on a level that any younger child could understand. I loved learning all of these facts and could have used a book like this while taking chemistry. Ok, it might be geared toward younger children, but the facts, the atomic structure, and the uses are information that anyone could put to use.

Like the Unicorn Elemental book, I read through this book with my sister, the teacher. She had the same feelings as she did with the unicorn book, that it was well laid out, easy to read, and could be understood by younger children.

The book is colorful and filled with fun images to make learning about the elements fun. Here are some of my favorite facts about the different elements:

Europium is used in Euro banknotes to make them harder to fake.

Only 4 women have discovered elements on the periodic table. Francium is one of those elements.

Indium is included in a list made by the US Government of the 35 most important minerals.

 

I have a hard time choosing between the two books as to which might be my favorite. I really don’t think I can choose!

This book is one my great-nephew would love just for the dragons! Plus, he would learn a little bit about the elements, too. He may only be 5, but that is never too young to start learning!

We give this book 5 paws up and recommend it to any young budding scientist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sybrina Durant is a unicorn author and entrepreneur. In addition to books, she offers unicorn-themed activities, t-shirts, and more. Plus, she has pulled together a collection of nearly all the unicorn books available today from hundreds of authors. They are categorized on her website by Little Kid, Middle Kid, and Teen Unicorn Books.

 

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Signed paperback of Magical Elements of The Periodic Table, Book 2 and 24 x 36 poster of the Periodic Table

 

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Synopsis

 

Dying has its perks…mostly. Bullied teen, Ember O’Neill goes from the weird girl to the tyrant of her school when she is resurrected from a deadly prank. Now secretly supernatural, she dethrones the school drama queen and snags the hot new guy, but her reign is at risk when the Order, a heretical sect, sends an assassin to eliminate her. Ember must expose her powers, potentially losing all she has gained, in order to save herself and her friends as her killer closes in.

 

 

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Review

 

This YA fantasy brings together the angst of teens with the possibility of angels and demons fighting a battle to save this world.

Ember is an outcast for many reasons, mainly because teenagers can be mean. But she has a plan for her sophomore year, which includes a female best friend, a boyfriend, and being popular. It can be a daunting task, considering how her freshman year turned out, but she isn’t going to let it stop her.  Luckily, she has one good friend, Erick, and the addition of Hallee. This trio of friends can take on the world or at least try.

Ember is a relatable character. She might resonate with anyone who felt like an outcast in school. But as time goes on, she grows and becomes more confident in herself. It was really cool watching her become someone who could be looked up to or admired by other classmates.

As the story progresses, we learn more about a few secret societies and their desire to take out those they consider unworthy. It is hard to know who is working on what side, and I had my suspicions, but I wasn’t right on everything.

I enjoyed this story and had a hard time putting it down. I tried to work out the motives of the different characters but didn’t quite get them right. Or at least not all of them. I found myself rooting for some characters and wishing others would turn their attitude around.

The book did end too soon for me, and while there are some tragic moments in the final buildup of this book, there are still so many unanswered questions. I believe there will be a sequel to this book, and I hope so. I want to discover what Ember is up to and how the battle progresses.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kerrie Faye is a Gen X wife and mom who found her passion to write later in life. A graduate of Murray State University, she has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Raised in Western Kentucky, where her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, takes place, the author currently resides near the Rocky Mountain Flatirons in Colorado, where there is far less humidity but not nearly enough BBQ. Her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, will be published on February 26, 2024, by The Wild Rose Press.

 

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Synopsis

 

A devastating diagnosis. A family with a broken past. Embark on an uplifting journey of love, hope, and the ultimate second chance.

 

When health-conscious Sarah gets diagnosed with breast cancer, her world spins out of control. She’s supposed to grow old with her husband and see her daughter graduate college. Her future is all planned out. Getting sick wasn’t part of her plan.

Friends and family rally around Sarah as she battles the disease. Her best friend offers inspirational advice while her mother takes her to treatment, her daughter makes green juice, and her older brother provides emotional support and makes her laugh with his ever-present potty mouth.

Then Sarah’s estranged father returns. She gave up on him long ago and doesn’t want to reconnect, but he won’t go away, so she’s stuck dealing with him at the worst possible time. His presence forces her to face a past she’d rather forget as she uses all her strength to fight for her life.

 

 

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Review

 

This novel about Sarah’s journey through breast cancer treatment might have hit fairly close to home. While it has been 20 years since I went through my diagnosis, most of what Sarah was thinking and feeling was close to my experience. It made me a little uncomfortable, but I think that was because it was like reliving that year of my life. I even had the same triple-negative cancer diagnosis. Some of my treatment varied, but that isn’t surprising since this character had a few other things on top of what I had.

Despite that feeling, this book was fraught with emotion. Sarah was definitely on a rollercoaster with how she felt during her treatments, her interactions with her family, her new friend Nancy, a fellow cancer fighter, and her wayward father reappearing in her life, wanting to be a part of it all. There are times when Sarah is hard on herself. Cancer doesn’t care that you have done your best to lead a healthy life; it just pops up out of the blue, and there is nothing you could have done to stop it from appearing. That is probably the hardest battle Sarah has to fight: blame. There is no one to blame for this situation, especially not herself.

I was glad to see that Sarah had a great support system from her husband, daughter, mom, and brother. Her father made an appearance after decades of little contact and not the best childhood for Sarah or her brother. There is some great advice given by Nancy later in the book: to accept him for what he can give if he is going to be a part of her life. Sarah knows what he didn’t do for her growing up, and she can’t really expect him to change. I think this is sage advice for most people.

This book addresses the reality of cancer treatments. While situations will vary, the treatments and emotions are real. I remember how I felt when I started losing my hair. It was hard to cut it off, so it didn’t come off in clumps in the shower or wherever. It isn’t all about vanity. Sure, part of it is feeling like a part of you is missing, but it is about announcing to the world that something is wrong. I will confirm that “chemo brain” is real. Trying to remember everything, the right word, or processes can be daunting.

While fictional, it is based on the author’s own fight with cancer, and any person who has fought cancer will be able to relate to this book.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kim Cano is the author of six women’s fiction novels: A Widow Redefined, On the Inside, Eighty and Out, His Secret Life, When the Time Is Right, and The Healing Train. Readers say her books are about strong women who struggle but survive, hard-won second chances, family life, and friendship.

Kim lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and cat.

 

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Synopsis

 

He doesn’t want to be her enemy. She doesn’t want to be his friend. But when their paths keep crossing, can a change of heart lead to a chance at love?

In the Kingdom of Kalopsia, Dahlia has grown tired of the cloying perfumes and swirling silks of ballrooms. Her reality is to do the bidding of her social-climbing father, biting her tongue and being a perfect lady of society. But in her heart, she dreams of change—to escape to the beautiful land of Orphia. A land where she’d find freedom, and perhaps find herself as well.

For Xanth, the fisherman’s son, his dream is much more literal. Ever since a chance encounter at a ball, he hasn’t been able to stop thinking of the nameless beauty most nights. But with his father wanting him to take on more of the family business, he has no time to waste on the mystery lady. Equipped with a jest and a smile, he hides his insecurity at the prospect pretty well. But considering most of his endeavors end in disaster, he’s convinced he’ll just disappoint everyone he loves.

When their worlds collide, the line between dream and nightmare is blurred. Dahlia is a welcome distraction, but Xanth can’t understand why she warmly welcomes the friendship of others but spurns him at every opportunity. To Dahlia, Xanth’s carefree attitude seems like every other egotistical man that hurt her. But as they’re continually thrown into one another’s company, their perception of the other begins to change. When the unexpected upends their lives, Dahlia and Xanth must confront the most astonishing, terrifying change of all—that of falling in love.

Return to Orphia in this third, stand-alone installment of the “Fallen Stars” series. Blending historical fiction with a fantasy land absent of magic, this clean and wholesome story of natural beauty, found family, humorous mishaps, and enemies-turned-friends romance is sure to delight the hearts of readers young and old.

 

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

I did not realize that this was the third book in the series. I read the first book but not the second. However, it is not necessary to read these books in order, you just might miss out on some of the minor character’s relationship and how they came to be in this installment.

That aside, this was a fun read. It is a clean fairytale romance set in a kingdom similar to one you would see in England or another European country. Dahlia is being forced to marry someone she doesn’t love. She is gun-shy already, but her father is forcing this marriage. So she does what any wise woman would do: run away! It is in the town of Orphia that she finds herself and love. While Dahlia may be 19, she is still young and immature. Being on her own, forced to make a living, she discovers more about herself and what she can do. I enjoyed watching her character mature and become a more confident woman.

Xanth is a young man without a path. He has done what he thinks his family expects, even at a cost to him. He reminds me of many young people who are floundering, trying to determine their future. There are some great conversations with him regarding this situation. I don’t want to spoil anything but know that all of the characters in this book care about one another and each person’s happiness. I like that he is awkward, especially around Dahlia. I think this helps to ease possible tensions, even when situations are misunderstood.

There are some interesting twists near the end of the book regarding Dahlia and her brother, Daniel.

I enjoyed most of the minor characters. Some are from previous books, and others are new. Xanth’s siblings are precious!

There is one analogy that I really liked. Dahlia asks Xanth how he can forgive so easily. He likens it to holding a handful of glass shards. He can hold onto the resentment and hurt himself, or release the anger and forgive the person and lift the weight off of his shoulders and the glass from his hands. It really makes you think about how you handle forgiveness.

We give this book 5 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Madison grew up in a small town in Florida, surrounded by her loving family. She has always enjoyed getting lost in the fictional worlds of movies, literature, and her own imagination. Her favorite stories are clean and sweet with happily ever afters. She enjoys traveling, drawing, going to the beach, spending time with her friends and family, and playing with her dog, Sprinkles.

 

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Synosis

 

Twelve-year-old James Rhyder is being hunted by people from a hidden world he never knew existed. Unlike most people his age, James doesn’t dream at night of becoming a hero. Rather, his dreams are filled with shadowy figures and cryptic warnings about the end of the world.

As these strange dreams begin to make James question if he’s going crazy like his mother, a quirky girl named Rheyna Anwen whisks him away into an unseen world where psychics, druids, and magic are real.

At first the enchanted cabins and unusual summer camp where new psions, known as psychics to the outside world, are trained feels unbelievable, like one of his mystifying dreams. However, James soon discovers a secret about himself which threatens to turn this new life into a nightmare: his dreams are a dangerous and illegal talent known as dreamwalking. When a mysterious man in blue -who’d been stalking James all summer- kidnaps one of his cabinmates, his strange dreams may be the only way he can save his comrade.

Now, James must learn to trust his new friends, control his illegal psion talent, and put aside his insecurities. If he can’t, much more could be at stake than just one missing camper.

 

 

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Review

 

While fantasy is not a normal genre for me, this story about a teen boy finding his place in this world was entertaining. The author does a great job of world-building, introducing us to other mythical beings and letting us wonder, “What if.”

James has some special abilities he isn’t even aware of until he is brought into a special summer camp to learn more about these abilities. There are those who want to see him succeed and others who want to harness his abilities for themselves. Each character in the book is unique and brings something different to the table. This creates a well-rounded novel for the reader.

I really love how James spends a lot of time in the library. He is my hero! His passion for books helps him find his path in life…or at least a path to start down. Perhaps with a little nudging from the friendly older librarian.

The camp is unique, which shouldn’t be surprising since it has magical abilities too. The cabin for all of the newbies is a wonder and the stories it could tell from past and future campers.

There is something about Rheyna that is endearing. Perhaps because she befriends James. I think that they are both looking for something and find it in their friendship.

It would be easy to give away plot spoilers, so I won’t. Just know that this could easily start a series with their adventures or the adventures of those who come to the camp. Only time will tell if the author has more in store for us.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

David Brooks is the author of over 100 middle-grade and young adult fantasy novels, only two of which have been written and released. That is to say, he is an author with an entire notebook bursting with ideas, and never enough time to get everything written. James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams was his debut novel.

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Four friends, one city. Grace, Piper, Sydney and Rachel navigate life, careers, and love in Boston. Each woman is newly single and looking for a fresh start. As their work lives start to look up, they each meet a new man who may be “the one”—or may not. The bond the four women share helps them make better sense of their lives, but at times their friendship causes more issues than it solves. New couples form, and one of them is headed for the altar. But which of the women is about to be a bride?

All along the way, Grace, Piper, Sydney and Rachel are each other’s biggest fans and cheerleaders. The Wedding explores the bond women share and the love they seek.

 

 

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Review

 

Four friends. Four relationships. Love and loss, but friendship endures.

This novel follows four friends, their careers, and the relationships that they form. Some are good, some not so good, but at least these women know who they can count on at the end of the day. Some of the relationships are trainwrecks waiting to happen. You know something isn’t right, but you don’t know what until the truth is revealed.

There is a wedding being planned between the chapters, but you have no idea which friend or couple it is until the end. I had my thoughts on who it should be, but I was wrong. You’ll have to read the book to find out who the mystery couple is.

As the book progresses, we learn about each woman’s past relationships, why they failed, and where their life is going. We saw them enter the dating world, whether they were ready for a relationship or not. But sometimes, you just have to get out there and see what happens.

I appreciated that once the mystery couple was revealed, the last chapter and the wedding shared with us what happened to the other three women in the group. I had a few ideas but wasn’t 100% sure what happened to each couple. Also, the last chapter seems to be a few years into the future. This gave a satisfying conclusion to this story.

My only complaint has nothing to do with the story but the eBook. The font is TINY. All ebooks usually load just fine for me, but this one was unreadable on my e-reader, and I had to read it on a larger tablet.

Overall, this is a fun read, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kelly Smith, a three-time published author, first came on the scene with her debut novel, Signs in the Rearview Mirror Leaving a Toxic Relationship Behind. After healing from her toxic relationships, she soon realized dating after a toxic relationship was difficult, which then led her to write Out of the Darkness. Out of the Darkness, her sophomore book is about her experiences with healing after abuse, dating, and finding love again. Sunny Day Publishing published all of her books.

Smith, an award-winning writer, writes for Elephant Journal and HuffPost. Smith is a dating expert for the online relationship and dating magazine, GoDates.

Smith is a certified relationship and dating coach who works with clients who are trying to rebuild their lives after an abusive relationship ends, or after a long-term relationship ends.

Smith is a Boston native who moved to the Austin, TX, area in July 2003 with her three sons.

Media Expertise Kelly can speak on topics including domestic violence in teen dating, narcissism and toxic relationships, women as the abusers, recovering from an abusive relationship, dating again after an abusive relationship, narcissism in both men and women and living as an adult child with a narcissistic parent.

 

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Giveaway

 

Win $25 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of the author of THE WEDDING) (one winner / USA only) (ends April 26)

 

THE WEDDING Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

The paths of three young Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia unexpectedly—and dangerously—collide in this debut novel inspired by the explosive history of a divided city.

Philadelphia, 1837. After Charlotte escaped from the crumbling White Oaks plantation down South, she’d expected freedom to feel different from her former life as an enslaved housemaid. After all, Philadelphia is supposed to be the birthplace of American liberty. Instead, she’s locked away playing servant to her white-passing father, as they both attempt to hide their identities from slavecatchers who would destroy their new lives.

Longing to break away, Charlotte befriends Nell, a budding abolitionist from one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest Black families. Just as Charlotte starts to envision a future, a familiar face from her past reappears: Evie, her friend from White Oaks, has been brought to the city by the plantation mistress, and she’s desperate to escape. But as Charlotte and Nell conspire to rescue her, in a city engulfed by race riots and attacks on abolitionists, they soon discover that fighting for Evie’s freedom may cost them their own.

All We Were Promised is the story of three women in vastly different circumstances—the rebel, the socialite, and the fugitive—risking everything for one another in an American city straining to live up to its loftiest ideals.

 

 

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Review

 

This was an educational yet entertaining read. I find myself enjoying historical fiction more than I have in the past, especially when the author does their research into events and tries to stay as close to the truth as possible. The author definitely did that here. I enjoyed reading her notes after the book to discover her inspiration for this novel.

This story is told from three points of view – Charlotte, Nell, and Evie. These three women have different lives, but they all have something in common: they want to see black people treated better and eliminate slavery. Charlotte and Evie were both slaves on the same plantation before Charlotte and her father escaped. It is by chance that they run into one another in Philadelphia. Nell is a free woman but has compassion for the enslaved and wants to do more than just raise money and sign petitions. She wants to take action.

I was drawn into each woman’s story. While living different lives, they wanted more from life. Each woman has their own struggles. Nell thinks she doesn’t want to marry anyone; however, her longtime friend across the street is becoming more appealing. Charlotte lives as her father’s maid since he can pass for a white man, but this situation is fraught with its own issues, hampering Charlotte’s dream to become a seamstress and dressmaker.  Evie is now the personal maid for Kate, Charlotte’s old position before she left, and wants out more than anything.

The journey these women are on is not an easy one. Emotions run high, there is impatience, and some actions by certain characters could end badly for everyone. The story did start a little slow, but it picked up the pace about halfway through when situations were heating up. I enjoyed watching the characters grow, mature, and discover their truer selves.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ashton Lattimore is an award-winning journalist and a former lawyer. She is the editor-in-chief at Prism, a nonprofit news outlet by and for communities of color, and her nonfiction writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Slate, CNN, and Essence. Lattimore is a graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Columbia Journalism School. She grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in suburban Philadelphia with her husband and their two sons. All We Were Promised is her first novel.

 

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Amethyst, The Shallows

 

by

 

Kellye Abernathy

 

YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Page Count: 296 pages

Publication Date: February 6, 2024

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“This is a night for being brave.”

In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.

When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America–all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth–a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.

Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.

Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.

 

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This novel is the follow-up to The Aquamarine Surfboard, which makes me happy because we see the return of Condi, Grand Ella, the Beachlings, and other familiar characters. However, one of the main characters in this novel is Lorelei. As with the first book, this is a coming-of-age story that brings in some of the mysticism from the first book and some unique characters with various personalities. Because many of the characters are teens, I feel like the author understands the issues and quirks of the young mind, especially when they have been isolated due to The Sickness. This mimics a certain event we saw happen in our world.

Another main character is Isaac. At first, I didn’t like him. He was sullen and angry at the world, but with time, he managed to redeem himself after experiencing a few life-changing events. Sometimes, it just takes a little time and experience to change a person.

Tad is another character that will capture your heart. He sees his emotions in colors and knows when he needs a calming color to feel safe. He is also a budding scientist who is passionate about the various sea creatures. He may be young, but he is mighty and learns to overcome some of his fears.

There are two animals that are integral to this story – Figament, an octopus, and Guardian, a parrot. Both animals bridge the gap between different characters and bring hope to the story.

There is love and loss, too. My heart hurt at the loss, and rejoiced for the love.

This book is probably geared more toward YA than middle-grade age readers due to some of the topics, but it will be enjoyed by those who care to delve into this mystical story.

We give this book 5 paws up and hope for another book in this series to continue the magic of the ocean and this band of friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!

 

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Synopsis

 

From the award-winning author of The Shelterlings and The Lake House comes a haunting novel about sisterhood and grief, where difficult truths must contend with the corrosive power of unchecked lies. After her mother dies, Hannah doesn’t know how to exist without her. Literally. In fact, Hannah’s not even certain that she does exist. No one seems to see or hear her, and she finds herself utterly alone. Grief-stricken and confused, her sense of self slowly slipping away, Hannah sets out to find new purpose in life―and answers about who (and what) she really is. Hannah’s only remaining family is her older sister, Leah. Yet even Leah doesn’t seem to notice her. And while Hannah can see and hear her sister, she also sees beautiful and terrible things that don’t―or shouldn’t―exist. She learns there’s much more to this world than meets the eye and struggles to make sense of it all. When Hannah sees Leah taking the same dangerous path that consumed their own mother―where lies supplant reality―she’s desperate to get through to her. But facing difficult truths is harder than it looks…

 

 

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Review

 

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it is quite an intriguing tale. It is told from the POV of two sisters, Hannah and Leah, and their perspective on the world. Their perspective is very different because Hannah is not alive. You don’t learn this from page one, but very quickly. But not knowing this makes the intro chapter very odd…why is someone in a casket with their mother, and why doesn’t anyone get her out?

The premise of the book is interesting: is there another world out there made up of our lies? That people, objects, and animals have been created by the stories we tell others?

I enjoyed seeing the world through the two sisters. It gives a perspective that I might not have considered. I don’t know if I prefer one over the other, but both are unique. Leah is real and trying to figure out her life now that she is alone. There are struggles for her based on all of the lies her mother told, and becoming the woman she can be if she only gives herself a chance.

You do have to suspend belief while Hannah is telling her story. But it is intriguing and did have me pondering different possibilities.

This book is probably not for everyone, but if you enjoy magical realism and family, you might enjoy this one.

We give it 3 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of over twenty-five books for adults, teens, and kids, including The Bone Maker, The Lake House, and Spark. She won an American Library Association Alex Award and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for the Andre Norton Nebula Award three times. Several of her books have been optioned for film/television, including Drink, Slay, Love, which was made into a TV movie and was a question on Jeopardy! Sarah is a graduate of Princeton University and lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her two children, and her ill-mannered cat.

 

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Synopsis

 

A determined young woman in 1950s Los Angeles walks a darker city than she ever imagined in a spellbinding novel about the power to make dreams come true―whatever the sacrifice.

Los Angeles brims with opportunity in 1959―though not for aspiring fashion designer Cordelia Mai Yin, the first-generation child of Vietnamese immigrants, who finds the city unkind to outsiders and as dispirited as her own family. When Cordi rents a cheap loft in an old apartment building, she quickly warms to kindred souls Tessa, Audrey, and Silly. They also want better things and have pasts they’d rather forget. That they all share the same middle name makes their friendship seem like destiny.

As supportive as they are of each other, it’s a struggle just to eke out a living, let alone hope to see their wishes for success come true. Until an ever-present and uncannily charming acquaintance of the landlord’s offers a solution to their problems. He promises to fulfill their every dream. All it takes is a little magic. And a small sacrifice.

As one surprisingly effective spell leads to another, their wishes get bigger. But so does the price they must pay. Amid the damaged seams of her life so far, Cordi must realize her own power in order to rip free, without losing everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.

 

 

 

 

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Praise

 

“A clever, dark fairy tale about sisterhood and sacrifice and the price of finally going after what you want. Cordi is a heroine to root for: she makes mistakes, of course she does, but you would do the same. And once you read it you will never settle for a dress without pockets again. I loved it!” –Yume Kitasei, author of The Stardust Grail

A beguiling story of love and friendship that turns every trope on its head. THE MONSTROUS MISSES MAI leads you through a world of glamour and fame, then pulls you beneath its surface and tangles you in the sinister workings of a city fueled by impossible dreams.” –Kylee Lee Baker, author of The Scarlet Alchemist

 

 

Review

 

What would you sacrifice for success? That is the question that the women in this novel must answer before it is too late.

This story is about friendship, desire, and ambition. The four women who end up sharing an apartment together don’t realize the depths of the situation they find themselves until it is too late. When they say you shouldn’t mess with witchcraft, they aren’t kidding!

Cordi, Tessa, Silly, and Audrey are these four women. They each have dreams for their future, and when they are offered the opportunity to get it with little work, they jump at the chance. This wasn’t the wisest move they could make, and they soon learn that there is a price to pay for success if you don’t work for it.

Beyond that, this book explores the friendship between women who may have never met had it not been for this apartment that they share. While this book is set in 1959, it is reflective of nearly any period in time. Family expectations are the same now as they were then. Perhaps a little different, but still somewhat the same.

Because these women are young (20’s), they still lack some maturity when it comes to actions. Cordi is jealous of Silly’s friendship with Tessa. It is like Cordi wants to be Tessa’s only friend. They seem to shun Audrey because she is a little different, and also doesn’t want to be mixed up in the witchcraft. She is probably the smartest one of the bunch. Tessa is all about being seen with the movers and shakers of the city. Little does she realize what that might really mean!

I was engrossed in this novel. Normally, this isn’t the type of book I read (magical realism, witchcraft, etc), but there was something about this story that engaged me and kept me glued to the pages. I had a love/hate relationship with all the characters, but they each added a dimension to the story. Whether it was their involvement with the magical aspect, greed, desire, or hope, each character played a part in the final conclusion.

We give this book 5 paws up and recommend it if you enjoy this genre.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Chapter Eight

 

“Relax. I’m not here as some spy.” He chuckled. “Don’t forget who convinced Mikhail to rent to you in the first place—and at a cheaper price too! Please, enjoy your night.” He held up his hands. “Or should I leave?”

“Nonsense.” Tessa reached out, placing her fingers on his forearm. “They’re good girls. They just haven’t learned how to break the rules yet,” she whispered loudly, then winked across the table at Cordi.

Like usual, Cordi had no idea how to navigate the conversational maze. She kept eating, hoping that the food would instill in her some magical talent to help her play along.

“And I suppose you know how to break the rules,” Callum said to Tessa, his voice low.

“Do you two want us to leave the room?” Audrey asked in her flat voice.

Tessa took her hand back and resumed eating. “Nope, I do so love an audience.”

Audrey let out a loud exhale.

“I applied for a job at a fabric store today,” Cordi told Callum, still feeling the need to explain herself. “I have a good feeling about it.”

“Sounds dreadfully boring,” he mused, but he said everything with a casual, cheerful tone, so Cordi wasn’t sure if he really meant it or if it was just the way rich people prattled. Callum struck her as rich—the cut of his suit, the expensive tailoring as well as the silk of his tie, indicating that he could afford to dress well.

“I think I would enjoy it,” she said. “I know I will. I love that kind of stuff. Clothes and . . . you know . . . clothes.”

Tessa smiled at her. “You should be a fashion designer.”

“That’s impossible,” Cordi said, though it was exactly what she wanted, a dream she hardly dared to admit to herself. It was just a fantasy, not something attainable, and she waited for several long seconds for Callum to laugh in her face.

But he didn’t.

“I’ve wondered to myself if you were a designer,” he said. “You’re always wearing the most unique threads whenever I see you.”

“I like . . . pockets,” Cordi said for some reason even she couldn’t fathom. Perhaps it was the wine. She drank some more just to be safe. “Not all the dresses in stores have them, so I sew them myself.”

“Pockets are rather useful.”

“But no one’s ever heard of an Asian designer before,” Cordi said. She regretted it, because the statement was rather sad, and there was really no way to respond to it, so she didn’t blame any of them when the heavy words drooped in the air, abandoned and unclaimed.

Callum grinned at her. He had one dimple on his left cheek, and Cordi found it impossible not to smile back like a lovesick idiot. “I bet we can make that happen,” he said. “Have you given any thought to what I proposed last time?”

Cordi met Tessa’s eyes.

“About magic?” Tessa asked.

“Yes.” He leaned in close. So did the others. “After all, I am a witch.”

Cordi giggled. She was starting to feel a bit light-headed, the room taking on a blurry effect, the lights fuzzy around the edges, and when she met Tessa’s eyes across the table, the other girl mouthed, I knew it. Cordi took another sip from her glass, surprised to find it almost empty.

“Men can’t be witches,” she said, cocking her head to one side. The room spun a bit, and when she blinked, she had the sensation that she’d skipped forward in time by a few seconds, and that everyone was staring at her, wondering where she’d just been.

“How do you know? Have you met many witches?” Callum asked.

“No, but . . .” Cordi reached out, her index finger landing on the tip of his nose. “You don’t have a wart.”

Callum laughed and wrapped his fist around her finger. “Lurasts aren’t typical witches, and besides, warts on witches are just a myth. Most witches can only do small magic, like a little love potion that doesn’t last.”

“Witches are a myth.” Her tongue felt thick and heavy, and it took more effort to enunciate her words. “They’re not real. Neither are lurasts.”

“Oh, but I am real.” His wide grin made those crinkles appear at the corners of his eyes. “How do you think I’m this handsome? You should see when a spell goes wrong.”

He still had hold of her finger, and she pulled it back, her skin sliding along his.

“Lura is real,” Audrey surprised them all by saying. “Lura is a type of witchcraft. My aunt used to tell me stories. But it’s dangerous—we shouldn’t be playing around with that stuff.”

“Nonsense,” Callum said. “I’m a professional.”

“So what, are you going to make our wishes come true?” Audrey asked.

“It depends on what you want.”

“At what cost?” Audrey asked.

Callum laughed. “Why is it always about money with you girls?”

“Maybe because we don’t have any,” Audrey said coldly.

“It’s true, Callum, we’re flat broke,” Tessa said.

Callum grinned at her. “But isn’t your dad that rich politician? I just assumed he paid the bills.”

“Not our bills,” Audrey mumbled.

Tessa crossed her arms. “If you’re going to be granting wishes, you should know it’s gotta be for free.”

“Nothing good comes for free,” Audrey announced in a voice so full of doom, they all turned and stared at her. “What? It’s true.”

“On the contrary,” Callum said, “all the best things in life are free.”

Tessa snorted.

“You don’t believe me?” Callum stood up. “All right, it’s time to show you ladies that I mean business. Come on. We need”—he looked around the apartment—“candles. A bowl. Some of your most sentimental items.”

Cordi finished the last of her sandwich, wishing she had more.

“Come on, chop-chop.” Callum clapped twice, and despite herself, she got up from the table. The others did as well, looking mildly amused. Callum rubbed his hands together. “Let’s make some magic.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Van Hoang’s first name is pronounced like the van in minivan. Her last name is pronounced “hah-wawng.” A Publishers Weekly “Flying Start” featured author, Hoang is the author of Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Girl Giant and the Jade War, and the forthcoming Hidden Tails for middle-grade readers. Her adult debut novel, The Monstrous Misses Mai, will be published in the spring of 2024. She earned her bachelor’s in English at the University of New Mexico and her master’s in library information science at San Jose State University. She was born in Vietnam, grew up in Orange County, California, and now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, kid, and dog. When she is not writing, she spends her days force-feeding books to small children (and adults!) at the library. She loves boba.

 

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