When Onnie's grandfather asked her to inherit his legacy, she wasn't expecting a magical bookshop, a talking cat with an attitude, and a town full of fantastical beings. Except that's exactly what she got.
Alku is a quaint town nestled in the forested mountains of the Pacific Northwest, and it carries with it secrets. Many of them. It's where the current Keeper protects and curates the world's written knowledge archive, and Onnie's elderly Grandfather happens to be the current one. The bookshop has chosen her to be next.
Onnie's tossed into the magical deep end but finds more allies than expected. A story about self-acceptance, family, and learning to lean on others, Keeper's Reign is the first part in a trilogy following the final Keeper and the dangers she faces.
Eliza Leone is an author from the Pacific Northwest who specializes in chronicling the stories of her imaginary friends. As a kid, you could find her on the playground with a few kids acting out the stories they'd made up. When she got older and discovered that entire worlds were hidden within the pages of endless books, chances are her nose was in one. Over time, Friday nights were reserved for bookstore runs with her mother, and together, they'd resupply for a week of adventures. Writing had always been a far-off dream, but her ability to spell and do that grammar thing correctly was severely lacking. It wasn't until her mid-twenties that she decided that if she were only writing it for herself, no one would care about her lack of proper punctuation. Ten years and over a dozen books later, her family, human, and fiction, convinced her to finally share her stories with the world. From short stories and micro-fiction to the entire urban fantasy universe of Alku and its people, Eliza can't wait for you to giggle, sob, and throw your book across the room with her. Just...please don't throw the e-readers.
Keeper’s Reign by Eliza Leone is about a woman, Onnie (short for Connie), in her 20s a little lost in her own life when she inherits a bookshop from her ill grandfather. She moves to Alku, a small town in the forests of Washington state, and takes over the little shop. She soon discovers that things aren’t what they first appeared. Very quickly Onnie discovers both the proverbial and the very real magic of her grandfather, the bookshop, and the town and its people. As she begins to find fulfillment in this new life, she starts to let her guard down with her new friends, and it opens her up in ways she hadn’t been able to before. She has found her home in the town of Alku and has found her home in the people there.
Onnie’s own magic begins to grow and as she gets stronger and stronger, it attracts the wrong sort of magical beings and a slow burn type of struggle begins. She sees the man in black around town and can feel the evil of his own magic attempting to overcome hers.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger- is the man in black truly defeated? Is she really falling in love? Is she finally at peace with her life? We don’t know yet. Eliza Leone has written the second book in this series, Keeper’s Secrets, and as I begin reading it, I can tell I’ll get some of the cliffhanger answers in here.
Overall, this was a great first ARC experience and it was a great book! I’m a book girl through and through, so sign me up for a story about books and magic and friendship any day! Definitely recommend this read!
Warning this book will make you want to drink tea. Copious amounts of tea. Make sure you are stocked up to read this. It will also make you want to move to a fictional town in the Pacific Northwest that is filled with magic. Loved how this story unfolds, from the exploration of the town and the magic system, to getting to know all the players in the delightful little town. Filled with found family, chosen one, hidden world, good vs evil and plenty of wit and snark to keep it entertaining. This is a great read that sets up the world nicely while keeping enough mystery that you are intrigued for more world building, explanations, intrigue and adventure. Can’t wait to see what is up next and which characters we get to learn more about.
“Keeper’s Reign” by Eliza Leone is a captivating addition to the fantasy genre that managed to engage even someone who isn’t typically drawn to fantasy. Leone’s skillful storytelling and rich world-building make this novel a standout.
From the outset, “Keeper’s Reign” immerses readers in a meticulously crafted fantasy world, full of intricate lore and vibrant settings. Leone’s descriptive prose creates a vivid and immersive experience, transporting readers to a realm that feels both expansive and deeply textured. The attention to detail in the world-building is impressive, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between the magical and the mundane are skillfully blurred.
The plot of “Keeper’s Reign” is both engaging and dynamic, with well-developed twists and turns that keep the reader invested. Leone has a knack for pacing her narrative in a way that maintains tension and excitement without overwhelming the reader. The story unfolds with a balance of action, character development, and exploration of deeper themes, making it a compelling read from start to finish.
Character development is another strong suit of the novel. Leone’s characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, with their own distinct voices and growth arcs. The protagonist, in particular, stands out for their complexity and depth, navigating a journey that is as emotional as it is adventurous. The interactions between characters are nuanced, contributing to a richly woven narrative fabric that adds layers to the story.
Eliza Leone’s writing style is one of the novel’s highlights. Her prose is both descriptive and well-crafted dialogue enhance the story’s immersive quality, allowing readers to fully engage with the characters and their world.
While “Keeper’s Reign” is a fantasy novel, its appeal extends beyond the genre’s usual boundaries. Even for readers who may not typically gravitate towards fantasy, Leone’s storytelling prowess and the novel’s compelling elements make it an accessible and enjoyable read. The book’s engaging plot and well-developed characters are likely to resonate with a wide audience.
In summary, “Keeper’s Reign” is a testament to Eliza Leone’s talent as a fantasy writer. With its descriptive richness, engaging narrative, and well-rounded characters, it’s a book that both fantasy enthusiasts and newcomers alike can appreciate. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafter story that offers both adventure and emotional depth.
This story had me going through a kaleidoscope of emotions.
It is a slow burn start but give it a chance and it will snare you as quick as a bolt of lightning!
Despite its slower pace at the start it gives you a beautiful start to warm up and get to know the characters like you are meeting them over a cup of Rebecca’s famous cider.
In this book you have a sentient book store, you have a magical realm hidden in plain sight tucked away in the majestic PNW (Washington State - yes I am biased) and the descriptions are as captivating as each of the characters.
I could not put this book down. You have a young brilliant woman that left her life in SoCal and moved up to Washington simply because her ailing grandfather asked her too. Little did she know that she was fated to become the Keeper of this Book store that is so much more than a simple book store. It is a collection of magic and knowledge and now Onnie must protect it.
Along with these otherworldly duties that have been bestowed upon her she is also entangled with a Guardian, each of them share a bond with one another and with the Book store along with a Link. (Won’t spoil too much)
There is some romance but there is no open door spice. Honestly there is no need for it. The plot is just so magnificent that I didn’t want to stop.
I truly cannot wait for book two.
I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers out there.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Honestly, this book was all encompassing for me. I didn’t want to do anything but read it, all day long! It has an amazing story line, great character development, and amazing imagery. It’s based around a magical bookstore. Any book lover will appreciate this one! The main characters are all likeable. I laughed and cried reading this one. Highly recommended to anyone that likes a magical world, a little bit of love, and character growth! It’s the perfect small town story!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow this book was PHENOMENAL. From start to finish I was just captivated. Every character introduced is so unique and I couldn’t wait to learn more about them. The storyline is not like anything I have read before and had me guessing (and being wrong 🤣) at every page. I read it one day which should tell you something. Thank you so much Eliza for sending this my way to read! I can’t wait to get my hands on the second one.
Oonie had always lived a pretty isolated life, so when her grandfather phoned to ask if she would be interested in taking over his bookshop, she immediately said yes and moved to Alku. Oonie was content with Alku and owning the bookshop, but she had no idea the town and business were more than they appeared. When she discovers that her grandfather is a keeper who preserves and curates the world's written knowledge archive, and that the store has selected her to take his place, she is thrown into the magical deep end, but she soon realizes she has a community of allies. Keeper's Reign by Eliza Leone is a novel about self-acceptance, family, and learning to rely on others. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their journeys. The novel's exploration of complex relationships and personal growth adds depth to the story, creating a compelling and engaging read. Leone's writing style is captivating, drawing readers in from the very beginning and keeping them hooked until the very end. Overall, Leone's ability to seamlessly blend action, emotion, and magic makes this novel a true testament to Eliza Leone’s talent as a fantasy writer. I can't wait to see what's in store for Oonie next.
I really enjoyed this book. I genuinely knew nothing about what it was going to be when I received it, so I went in with no expectations and no real knowledge of what type of book this was even going to be. I'll admit, it did take me a couple of chapters to start to really understand where things were going with the book. But once I got into it, I was into it! The premise and whole idea behind the story is original and very creative. It had a lot of unexpected twists and turns, and I loved kind of subtle magic that was at play the entire time and slowly starts to reveal itself.
This read also came at a great time for me. A lot of the ARC's I'd been reading were SUPER spicy, so this was a much-welcomed reprieve from all of that. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a new series to fall in love with! It's an easy read, it's a great story, and it's a trilogy so you get to keep the characters you love for more than just one book.
I wish I lived in Alku! If I could compare this book to anything, it would be cuddling up in a warm fuzzy blanket with your book & a fire going.
Onnie moves across the country & inherits a magical bookshops from her grandfather. The characters she meets along her way are also magical, including a very special cat. We journey with her as she faces the dangers of being a Keeper.
This book is for you if you like:
- cozy fantasy
- bookshops
- magic
- found-family
- a dash of romance
- cats
Each character in this book is so well developed that you truly feel all the struggles they are going through. I wanted to laugh with them, cry with them, and be friends with them.
Eliza Leone did well with this book, I loved the magic , romance and the sweet story line of it all. This is that book you read when you want to escape the reality of this world. Alku is where you want to live, Onnie is someone you want to be besties with and Mal is the cat you want as your pet.This story while a little slow to start is worth reading as you begin to slowly see how everything in the town of Alku is connected and why the book store that Onnie takes over from her grandfather is so special. Highly recommend if want to transport into an amazing city and story that will have you laughing, crying and wanting more, then this is the book for you.
This is a beautifully written cozy fantasy with a slow burn romance filled with plenty of banter, found family, some heartbreak, and some adventure. The magic system in the story is explained well and not in a way that is overwhelming or confusing and the world building is also well done. Overall a captivating book with a good mix of adventure and romance. A great book to cozy up with and enjoy a cup of tea!
I absolutely love this book, I have never read anything like it before. I adore Onnie and am so jealous of her relationship with her Bookshop and Mal! This is what dreams are made of! I personally would jump right into this book and live there. I can relate to Dany and her coffee addiction and need for sleep! I wish that I could sit down for tea with Abbot and Rebecca and pick their brain. The knowledge they have must be never-ending. The twists and turns of this book had me anxiously reading to find out what happens next, and I could not predict what happened next. The bonds and found family are so heartwarming. I'm grabbing book two now because I need to know what happens with Onnie and Gabriel!
As an avid reader, what book could better grasp your attention than one involving the story of a woman inheriting and taking management of a magical bookshop. New surroundings, new friends and rekindling of family ties. A story of growing into power and defending the bookshop. “Nothing can't be accomplished with the help of your family. Chosen or blood.” A wonderful book including books, magic, slowburn and closed door intimacy. Part 1 of a series.
This book was super cute! I loved the characters and the growth we see throughout the story. Also Mal is the best and most hilarious cat. I cannot wait to read the next book! After Onnie moves to Alku to take over her grandfathers shop she learns that it’s a magical shop and she is to be the next keeper for the shop. As she learns more about the shop and her bond to it and her Guardian Gabriel, there are nefarious people who want to do harm to her and her little town and bookshop.
This book is a world I’d love to take part in. It was a bit of a slow start BUT it was the perfect read. I loved how I believed two characters were villains to be surprised that they weren’t at all the villains. I also, love the bond and relationships that were built between Onnie and the ones around her. This book did pull at my heartstrings but it was a beautiful and wonderful read. I’m excited for book 2.
The story is quite gripping. I loved the slow reveal of the magic system. I am not usually a fan of slow burn, but even I was fairly entertained with the way the romance developed. Would definitely read the next two books.
I knew I wanted to read this as soon as I learned there was a magical bookshop! ✨
There’s so much character development in the small town and the FMC Onnie (short for Connie) has to learn how to handle magic for the first time to protect the hidden realm & book store. There’s adventure & romance and CATS!
This was such a unique story! I was intrigued from the very start and needed to know what our FMC was getting herself into
Onnie is asked to come to Alku by her grandfather to help him with the bookstore. Little does Onnie know it’s a magical bookstore and the entire town of Alku has magical beings.
This is a perfect cozy read to bay away the winter chill!! I loved it! The characters are delightful, the magic is exciting, it’s set in a whimsical Washington forest town and the romance is too darn cute. This was a great way to wind down from heavier reads, and just be blissful while reading a book for a while.
The pacing of the book felt slow, making it a challenging read that took me longer to finish than expected. The dialogue and character actions often felt inconsistent with their personalities, which made certain scenes hard to connect with. While the story itself had potential, it could have been more concise—perhaps even cut in half. Ultimately, the awkward dialogue and character choices overshadowed what could have been a more engaging narrative.
Keeper’s Reign by Eliza Leone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This would be a 5 star read if the cliff hanger didn’t leave me gasping for air!! Such a good book, the connection I built with the characters was out of this world. Amazing writing style, I can’t wait to see how it develops even more into the trilogy. The magic system and world building is very easy to understand. Can’t wait to get into the next book!!
Absolutely lovely story. Be prepared to fall in love with not only the main characters but the wonderful town of Alku, plus a few amazingly magical characters. This book will make you laugh and cry, and leave you wanting more. My favorite new author. Can’t wait for book 2.
I really appreciated this story. Onnie, the main character, is pretty relatable. Just a normal girl who loves to read books and drink tea. A lot of tea. Really, really lots of tea. Like… have I mentioned she drinks tea? She drinks tea, by the way. Anyway! This book uses multiple POVs, mainly Onnie’s, but also Gabriel’s, the strong and sexy man who’s been waiting for her for years… how cool is that? I feel like the story revolves not only around magic but also around friendship, family and grief. Onnie, whose life completely turned upside down when she decides to come to Alku to help her grandfather, changes as she discovers secrets and phenomenons she never thought were possible. The writing style is immersive and allows the reader to explore Onnie’s emotions, thoughts and feelings. The side characters were all interesting and all seemed to have a story of their own and a significant role to play. It’s a slow paced story, but a quick read. Definitely worth a shot, especially if you’re a tea, books and cat lover!
Alku, Washington a little quant town full of love and friends. While on the outside the town and its people look normal, it harbors a secret, and with secrets come enemies.
Onnie packed up and moved from California to Alku after her grandfather called and asked for her help with his bookstore. Needing a change of pace and never staying in one place for too long she agrees, not only does it open up new doors it opens up a deeper relationship with her grandfather. She realizes quickly that he isn't as well as he pretends and learns he has kept a secret from her all these years, a secret that sadly tore her family apart. While reeling from a newfound path she must figure out her heart for the man destined to protect her. While she swore off men, she couldn't help but long for the man who was only meant to be her guardian.
I loved the originality of this story; I mean who doesn't want to be a keeper of an array of vast knowledge inside a bookstore? It's a bibliophile's dream come true. I adored Onnie and Gabriel; their banter and relationship are one of a kind. They both needed each other without knowing it until it hit them in the face, and they were tied together forever. I loved reading this book and unraveling the intricate plot. I can't wait to read book 2
I love the idea of this story. The bookstore is a vast expanse of every book in existence with hidden rooms Onnie has barely touched upon. The magic system is unique with a Keeper, a Guardian, and a Link. I still have questions but perhaps they'll be answered in the next book.
Overall it's a 4.5 for me but I rounded. The pacing is very slow for the majority of the book, and very detailed, which is both good and bad as it takes a long time to read but creates a vivid and immersing story. As some point the pacing picks up and before I knew it I couldn't put it down. Information is given to us and Onnie at the exact moment it's needed. There's a lot of banter which I love and a lot of surprises. I'll definitely read the next book in the series.
Onnie moves from a large city to a small town, and finds herself in the middle of a magic world. This book is full of magic, healing, love, and danger. Did I mention a talking cat and bookstore? It wraps you in until the very last page. Curl up on the couch and fall in love with Onnie her life begins anew.
Loved the characters. There’s a lot in this book, but I think what engaged me the most was the sharp and well-timed dialogue. I plan to pursue more in this series!
I met the author at a witch's yule market in Issaquah two days ago, and bought a hard copy. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and will proceed with Book 2 later today. The book is well written and held my attention. It is a romance novel and not my usual genre, but i found it compelling