Book Review: The Gleaning (The Spellspinners of Melas County #2) by Heidi R. Kling

The Gleaning 

(The Spellspinners of Melas County #2) 

by 

Heidi R. Kling

 

Pub October 2012 

by Coliloquy, LLC 

ARC for Review 

Summary
In the second installment of the Spellspinners saga, Lily’s worldview is rocked by fear, mistrust, and heartbreak, as she deals with the fallout from the night of her enchantment.

Someone powerful is determined to keep her and Logan apart. But who? And why?

As the covens prepare to do battle in the Solstice Stones, the lines between good and evil, dark and light, begin to blur. Allegiances are called into question. Trust is broken. And all Lily knows may just be an illusion.

Will the star-crossed lovers unearth the seeds of betrayal before it’s too late? Or will the witches and warlocks of Melas County be forced to say goodbye to their magic—and any chance of reconciliation between the covens—for good?

In The Gleaning, nothing is as it seems. And Lily and Logan will have to tread carefully if they hope to uncover the truth in time to save their love and break the curse.

The Way I See It

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!! That was bloody brilliant! The Gleaning was everything I expected and more! Again this is an interactive book, meaning you get to chose different paths to get to the end! I was absolutely smitten with it! Lily has to face some pretty painful truths and Logan has to fight a losing battle. What is in store for these two? I can’t wait to find out!! 

T-orture, seeing Logan with her doppelgänger was the most painful thing she has ever had to endure. Lilly’s heart is in a delicate state.
H-onesty, Logan didn’t know the person he was kissing was not Lily but he felt something was off he never thought something like this would ever happen.
E-ndangered, Logan and Lily are discovered Jacob will stop at nothing to keep these two apart and it seems as though he is not the only one.


G-uilt, the anger Lily felt towards Logan is quickly overshadowed by her own mistakes. Jude was cunning in his pursuit.
L-ove, what Lily and Logan have is powerful and pure but it seems everyone is against their union.
E-vil, Jacob is a vile creature with a desire to destroy. Iris has protected her daughter Lily all of her life.
A-nswers, Logan is haunted by a memory that doesn’t add up to the story Jacob has always told him. He knows something is wrong and promises himself he will find out.
N-erves, the eve of the Gleaning has everyone on edge. Jude though mostly quiet plans to keep Logan and Lily apart.
I-ndecision, Lily is torn by doubt she will have to remain neutral and try to figure things out after the Gleaning.
N-aive, Lily has trusted the wrong people just when she needs all of her strength and wit she will be betrayed once again.
G-ift, binding two pieces of a puzzle has always been Lily’s destiny now the protection that was bestowed upon her will unveil.

Eeeeeep! Talk about a major cliffhanger ending if I didn’t already have the final book I would be losing my mind! The flow was once again seamless and I can see myself re-reading these over and over again! I loved the story and there are many new elements that are revealed I cant wait to jump into the final installment! 

My Rating

4.5 Doppelgänger, Kiss, Dungeon, Curse, Gleaning, Two Halves, Protection Spell, Orchid, Lipstick, Sword, Medallion, Star Crossed Love Filled Stars! For a fun interactive read pick up this enchanting series!!

Purchase Through
Amazon | B&N

About The Author

Heidi R Kling is the author of Sea and The Spellspinners of Melas County series. Her first novel, Sea was a finalist for "Northern California Book of the Year", an IndieNext Pick, Goodreads "Mover and Shaker," a Gateway Reader's Award Finalist , Scholastic Readers Choice among other generous accolades. After earning her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School in New York City, Heidi returned to her native California where she lives with her husband and two children right over the coastal mountains from the sea.

 Website ✿ Twitter ✿ Goodreads ✿ Tumblr

Book Review: Devil's Frost (The Spellspinners of Melas County #3) By Heidi R. Kling

Devil's Frost 

(The Spellspinners of Melas County #3)

By 

Heidi R. Kling

Pub January 21st 2014 

by Coliloquy, LLC 

ARC for Review 

Summary

Every young witch looks forward to her first Solstice Stones. The pride of representing her coven against the warlocks. The rush from her first taste of dark magic. 

But a few short minutes into the Stones, and Lily’s lifelong dream turns into a nightmare of pain and regret. Betrayed not once, but twice, her restraint snaps—with dire consequences. 

Lily is wracked with guilt and on the run from the powerful Congression, when her broken confidence is further shattered by an ugly secret from the past. As her options dwindle, Lily is forced into a distasteful alliance. 

Will she be able to find her way back to the light? Or will darkness consume her before dawn's new day?

The Way I See It

My heart hurts! When. Does. The. Next. Come. Out. Okay Y’all know what a fan I am of this series and I will say it totally kicks bootie! Its interactive which is pretty awesome because you get to read the same book in different ways. The possibilities are endless. I thought this was a trilogy but let me tell you its not there is so much more that needs to happen. The Gleaning is over Lily and Logan have reunited now they must work together to stop the 100 year curse. The flow was great Ms. Kling does an excellent job of keeping the reader engaged. 

D-anger, things have become so hectic now Lily is in possession of a powerful object everyone covets. 

E-scape, Lily is forced into a corner by the last person she suspected. Trying to run will not be an option she will need to strike down a friend. 

V-ision, finding out the dreams he had were actually memories will hurt Logan deeply finding out he was loved all along will provide a small solace. 

I-llusion, Jacob has warned Logan and all of his warlocks against witches but there is something deeper there that he has never shared with anyone. 

L-ove, two dear friends have fallen its up to Logan and Lily to ensure their safety now its a race against the clock. 

S-urprise, Lily has always been protected by her mother very soon she will find out exactly why. 

F-reedom, Lily and Logan have come a long way and finally being able to give to each other completely has liberated their hearts. 

R-evealing, Iris has harbored a life altering secret the time has come for Lily to know everything about herself. 

O-pportunity, Jacob is vile and murderous but during a moment when a haste decision is necessary he reveals a different side no one has ever seen. 

S-orrow, Lily’s life will never be the same she is faced with a terrible truth. She knows she should give up Logan but the thought of not being near him is to painful. 

T-omorrow, nothing is certain but Logan and Lily will have to face their destinies and embrace them together. 

So yea I don’t want to get into the darkness within Lily cause I’ve got total faith she will overcome it. The ending was’t the usual shocking ending but there is much to be done and I can’t wait to see what Lily and Logan do. We learn a lot more about the Spellspinners curse and not everyone is totally against Logan and Lily. The prophecy will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting to find out more. I’m def going to be on the lookout so I absolutely recommend this series!! 

My Rating 

4.5 Gleaning, Doppelgänger, Two Teardrops, White Eyes, Red Eyes, Magical Wound, Family Secret, Cliff Dive, Protection Spell, Destined Union, Dark Secret, Determined Love filled stars!! This series is one to add ASAP pick these up now!!

Purchase Through
Amazon | B&N

About The Author

Heidi R Kling is the author of Sea and The Spellspinners of Melas County series. Her first novel, Sea was a finalist for "Northern California Book of the Year", an IndieNext Pick, Goodreads "Mover and Shaker," a Gateway Reader's Award Finalist , Scholastic Readers Choice among other generous accolades. After earning her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School in New York City, Heidi returned to her native California where she lives with her husband and two children right over the coastal mountains from the sea.

 Website ✿ Twitter ✿ Goodreads ✿ Tumblr

Book Review: Witch's Brew (The Spellspinners of Melas County #1) by Heidi R. Kling

Witch's Brew 

(The Spellspinners of Melas County #1) 

by 

Heidi R. Kling 

Pub January 11th 2012 

by Coliloquy, LLC 

ARC For Review 

Summary

The Spellspinners of Melas County is a fantasy YA romance series about a witch, a warlock, and their fight for their forbidden but prophesied love. 

Once soulmates, the witch and warlock covens of the California coast have been estranged for a century. Raised to hate each other, their teenagers meet in the Solstice Stones, a magical battleground where they draw energy from each other to maintain their balance. 16 year olds Logan and Lily have spent years training for their first Stones…only to discover just days before that the enemy may not be what either of them had thought. 

In Witch’s Brew, Lily is torn between her feelings for Logan and her coven’s need to know who—or what—he is. The young lovers race against time, their distrust for each other, and the powerful influence of their elders to unravel the mystery of their pasts before their future is destroyed. 

This is an Active Fiction title "Active fiction" is a new type of e-reading experience that allows the reader and the author to interact with each other and the text in new and different ways. 

In Witch’s Brew, Lily and Logan's fate is already decided, but Heidi explores several different possible pathways for how they get there. She shares scenes that wouldn’t normally fit in a book format and gives readers more precious moments between the two young lovers. As the series progresses, you'll see some normal narrative forms, interspersed with smaller scenes, alternate points of view, and a lot of "what if" scenarios.

The Way I See It 

I’M LOSING MY SH*#!!! RIGHT.NOW…”Breath Ria, get it together.” Okay I have to walk away for a sec maybe go get another cup of coffee I’m totally losing it right now. Alright y'all I’m back and let me tell you!!!!!!!!! I’ve lost it in the most AMAZING way. Witch’s Brew was wickedly fun!!! The book is interactive! How flipping fun is that?! Let me tell you…its astonishingly fun! The writing was excellent I think I know who’s behind what but Ms. Kling doesn’t give away any answers. I got just enough to keep me hooked but there’s still much unfolding to be had thats for sure. I can’t wait to do it!!! 

W-arlocks, fierce and wicked they are not to be trusted. Witches are of the light they love and protect.
I-nterest, Lily is placed in a high ranking something exists within her that makes her special beyond the sisters in her coven.
T-ime, the girls make a choice at a young age from that moment training begins…The Gleaning is just around the corner.
C-haos, Lily’s magic is up and its down this is not a time for weakness she must face her foe with all of her strength.
H-idden, a spell is cast and Lily does not know what to believe. Logan is entranced by the heirloom he sees and must find out more.
'S-urreal, walking with a warlock is unheard of the feelings she has towards him treasonous but something about him pulls at her.


B-randed, Logan may hold the key but many questions have yet to be answered and all he seeks is to find where he belongs.
R-esolution, a ghost holds the key but the answers won't reveal themselves until its time.
E-nchantment, Lily’s coven only knows one way her love and her faith for them will blind her towards the bigger picture. Come what may no one will listen to Lily so she must find a way on her own.
W-illpower, magic is strong but Lily will find out she is stronger. Lily knows the key is within her grasp her heart will show the way to reach her love. 

THAT ENDING was OH M GEE!! I super secretly not so secretly curse every book on my schedule that is standing in my way between ME the next books in the series!! Gah!! This reminds me of those old timey adventure books where you can pick a path then when you re-read it you can pick a different path!!! Eeeeeeep how fun is that!!! I’m going to read these books a million times and you will too! Seriously this isn was delightfully wicked! I’m already in love with this series and I can only see it getting better. 

My Fav’s

Lily

She totally kicks butt but is pretty humble about it. She holds a leaders position but she does so with grace and humility. Lily has a little sister she loves dearly and her relationship with her mother is pretty great. I’m very curious about her father though and I hope to find out more soon. Lily doesn’t really understand why she has such a strong pull towards Logan but I’m dying to find out. 

Logan

He doesn’t know who he is but he might be the key to solving everything. I love his personality and the kindness he wields even though he was raised in darkness. Logan is drawn to Lily in a way he cannot describe and I love their interactions. I’m dying to find out more about him…sigh I cant wait. 

My Rating

4.5 Witch’s Brew, Gleaning, Ocean, Iris, Daisy, Orchid, Treasure Chest, Prophecy, Kiss, Hawk, Enchanted, Love filled Stars!! I can not say this enough!! Pick up this series its a blast!!

Purchase Through

Amazon ✿ B&N ✿ Kobo

About The Author

Heidi R Kling is the author of Sea and The Spellspinners of Melas County series. Her first novel, Sea was a finalist for "Northern California Book of the Year", an IndieNext Pick, Goodreads "Mover and Shaker," a Gateway Reader's Award Finalist , Scholastic Readers Choice among other generous accolades. After earning her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School in New York City, Heidi returned to her native California where she lives with her husband and two children right over the coastal mountains from the sea.

 Website ✿ Twitter ✿ Goodreads ✿ Tumblr