Elizabeth Kirke

I won't spoil any specifics in this review but I will talk about a few broader strokes of what type of story this. So if you want to go in mostly blind this is probably not the right review for you.

While a few aspects of the introduction are quite refreshing and original, the book is mostly assembled from overused YA tropes. The worst offender is a bunch of teenagers who all speak dozens of languages and have mastered all the martial arts in the world etc. But at the same time, they are still just teenagers with all the inexperience, rashness, and stupidity that you might expect. It's a very jarring and unbelievable contrast.
This is followed by the MC being introduced and taken into the fold including deep mutual trust with them all within days.
If you have read a bit of YA urban fantasy before you probably recognize a lot of this already.

Later on, when the story gets to actually tense and dangerous situations the entire cast can't stop making stupid mistakes. Most of them are minor but they are all clearly and very obviously only plot devices to set up the drama that follows.
On one hand, I want to cry TSTL but on the other, they are teenagers which are completely out of their depths so they deserve a bit of clemency.
But the cherry on top, and that is what really got on my nerves, is how afterward the characters talk about perfectly reasonable actions like they were stupid mistakes and blame themselves. They can't stop talking about all the things they could've done differently. All the while nobody even mentions any of the actual plot-device stupidity. The book is only willing to acknowledge understandable mistakes but sweeps the actual bs stupidity under the rug.
This leads to this incredibly jarring disconnect between what the characters claim happened and what I as the reader actually read. It feels almost like gaslighting.
Just why?

It only gets worse from there. Unnecessary melodrama until the end. Everyone tells the MC how special, capable, and unusual she is despite her being anything but.… (lisätietoja)

I have read this book twice now. The first time I believe I downloaded it during a free promotion, and it was amazing. I just read it again this month, and it is still just as good! I cannot wait for the sequel to be released, I will be first in line to grab a copy! It took me three days to read this book the second time around, only because life tends to get in the way. Otherwise, I am sure I would have finished it a lot sooner. Not because it is an *easy read* or *short* but because once you start reading, you do not want to stop. The characters drag you into the story from the get-go, and you cannot wait to turn the page to find out what happens next. There is never a dull moment from start to finish, and the end leaves you wanting more. It is so easy to fall in love with any or all of the characters in this book, and it almost makes you wish you were onboard as well! In fact, when I read this book the first time, it was while my husband and I was a cruise, so it was the perfect read!
If you are enjoy learning about mermaids, elementals, werewolves, vampires, and such- you will not be disappointed, this book has it all and then some! The main character, Jen, is spending a semester aboard a ship for school, and meets some very interesting people in the process. She sees things that she cannot explain, and it makes her wanting to find out what the real scoop is (which in turn makes you want to know as well!). I can honestly say I have a character crush on a few of the main players in this story! That is normal, right??? Ha!

This is not one of those stories where you will be bombarded with a lot of romance, so I do feel it is appropriate for all ages. I don’t mind some romance in a story, if it adds to it, but it was not necessary for this book to make you fall in love with it. I wish I could write more, but I do not believe in leaving *spoilers* in a review, that is unfair to you! But trust me when I tell you, this is not a book you want to pass up reading.

I absolutely love Elizabeth Kirke’s style of writing, and no doubt will love the next book in this series. However, I hate to have to wait!


… (lisätietoja)

I loved this book as much as I loved “Semester Abroad”, the first book in this series. With that being said, I hope I do not have to wait too long for the next one to be out!

Jen and her magical friends are back together again, but this time, at a cabin for a much needed ski trip. She can finally enjoy her newfound magic, without fear of the wrong people seeing. She has a new familiar accompanying her, a cat named Rak, which not all of her friends are a big fan of. Things get complicated from the very beginning when Shannon, Jen’s non-magical cousin, drops by for a surprise visit. Who would have thought that trying to hide your magic could be so difficult, especially when they are under attack by an unknown attacker?

Things seem to be going smoothly until weird things start happening, like unknown footprints in the snow right outside the cabin. Shannon experiences more than she bargained for when they gang is attacked and Thomas has no choice but to break the law to save a life. But can they survive this trip in one piece?

It is hard to write this review without any spoilers, but believe me when I say, you will not be disappointed! There were moments I was in tears and others when I was giggling.
… (lisätietoja)

I received this book in exchange for a honest review.
More Than Magic: Semester Aboard by Elizabeth Kirke
This is the first book I read by this author and I absolutely loved it!! This book had all sorts of paranormal in it; weres, witches, elementals, vampires, dryads, wizards, and etc... This book is well written and a fast paced read. Most of the story takes place on the ship although when they stop in the ports you get different glimpses of the intriguing places they stop. I'm dying to know and read the next book! It needs to hurry up and be out. The characters are awesome and funny. I just love them all. Each one of them are unique in different ways with different personalities that just make the book! This is a wonderful YA read!!

The book starts when Jen starts her classes on a Semester Abroad Cruise. During the first week, she encounters some odd things and gets her wondering if her eyes were playing tricks or if it is real. She then is thrust into a unknown world with unknown dangers. I'm not going to give anymore away or it will ruin the experience and the ride! This is one book that I plan on re-reading again and again. I give this book a 5 star review!! Go out and get this amazing read!
… (lisätietoja)