book release – Sunshine Somerville

First, beautiful cover. I feel like it fits the playful, whimsical, slightly mysterious tone of the story.

Second, I loved the complex and unique use of memories. It was a great way to shape the fantastical world Daisy finds herself in, and it was a neat way to bring so many fantastical elements together – in a world of happy memories and dreams, anything goes! The danger of Daisy losing memories added a great sense of tension. Her romantic partnership with her best friend Roger was also believable and made me care about the characters. And, how she gradually learns how to save the day was creative and pulled it all together.

I have to admit that Daisy’s character bugged me a bit. At times she’s loving and confident and brave. At other times she flies off the handle and is snippy and doesn’t think before saying or doing something stupid. This would sometimes all happen in the same scene, and it felt a little unnatural. Also, towards the middle of the book, the maturity level of the writing shifted weirdly. The book was plugging away and feeling very YA, and then suddenly it was like the dialogue and action were more fitting for a far younger audience. I still liked the story during this part, but it was a bit jolting to read.

BUT, I really enjoyed the last half of the book. I felt like the plot finally had solid direction, and I loved how everything I’d been wondering about came together. The twist towards the end was pretty cool too – although you worry for a second. And I really liked the time jump at the end that further showed how everything turned out.

Overall, I’d recommend this for anyone who likes YA fantasies that give you a mystery to figure out.

See it on Amazon!

A bit of time goes by between the first book and this one, and the maturity level definitely goes up as well. It’s nice to see Daisy has moved out of her teens but is still young enough to struggle with questions about life and who she is. For that reason the book still feels YA, but it’s definitely not as light as the first. This story is a lot darker. There’s dark magic, many skeletons, murder, etc., and the Theater of Secrets is definitely a dramatic place full of dangerous characters.

I liked how this plot felt much more straightforward than the first book. While there are still plenty of magical surprises, this world also feels more familiar. I think that makes the danger to Daisy that much more suspenseful. She again made decisions that annoyed me, but considering her emotional state, it kind of makes sense.

I loved how the plot thickened and you were never really sure what to believe – and Daisy wasn’t either. Is her own mind tricking her? Is Mr. Black telling the truth after all and there’s going to be a huge twist on everything we thought we knew as a reader so far? This story definitely kept me turning the pages as I tried to sort it all out. I liked how certain things from the first book tied in here, but it’s definitely a new story. And the end certainly suggests Daisy has more to learn.

See it on Amazon!

A Darling Secret
Strange Luck series, Book 3
Coming September 22, 2017

Learn the fate of your favorite heroes and love-to-hate foes in the thrilling conclusion to Amie Irene Winters’ bestselling Strange Luck series.

Before the Theater of Secrets was formed, before the Nameless was built, before Daisy Darling learned of her magical bloodline, there was the Realm of the Shadow Gods—ruled by the most powerful and wicked creatures known.

For nearly two decades, Daisy’s twin sister, Rose, was held captive by the Shadow Gods and survived. Now Rose has come to find Daisy to stop their impending evil from spreading into the human world. But Rose bears a terrible secret that has the power to destroy everything.

In the devastating Realm of the Shadow Gods, dark magic holds no bounds. Daisy will risk everything to save those she loves, but will the truth finally break her?

Unlock the final book in the Strange Luck series with A Darling Secret.

Pre-order today, read it September 22, 2017.

A Darling Secret excerpt:

A slow, creeping fear wound its way around me.

Tiptoeing around the mysterious plain, too afraid to call out, a surprising wisp of music came floating through the air. It was a jingly little melody—like a music box—followed by soft voices.

I paused. Through the violet-stained sky and swirling rainbow mist I saw something moving. My eyes narrowed as I stealthily approached an illuminated cave.

Shadows were gathering there.

A Darling Secret Amazon link:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JVRWH4?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

MEET AMIE IRENE WINTERS

Amie Irene Winters was born and raised in California but now lives and writes in western Pennsylvania. She is the author of the bestselling Strange Luck series.