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Warden of the West #1
Outcast
I live by one simple rule: no magic.
Not too hard in the human world, plus it keeps me hidden from my evil sorcerer father.
Safe.
When I’m forced into using magic to save an innocent family, the jig is up.
Or so I believe.
Instead, I’m whisked off to an academy of magic in a place I never knew existed. The problem is—my power is completely raw, which means I don’t know my butt from a broomstick. At first it's all wands, witches, and a new wardrobe...until I get caught in a restricted area with a dead body. Now it's going to take more than magic to clear my name. Thanks to new friends and a magically delicious vampire called Gray, I don't have to fly solo anymore. I'm out of my depth and out of options.
Can I catch a killer before it's too late, or am I doomed to live a life on the run?
Outcast: Spellslingers Academy of Magic, Warden of the West (Book 1) is a fantasy mystery with humor, action, a powerful heroine, and a fangtastic hero.
Not too hard in the human world, plus it keeps me hidden from my evil sorcerer father.
Safe.
When I’m forced into using magic to save an innocent family, the jig is up.
Or so I believe.
Instead, I’m whisked off to an academy of magic in a place I never knew existed. The problem is—my power is completely raw, which means I don’t know my butt from a broomstick. At first it's all wands, witches, and a new wardrobe...until I get caught in a restricted area with a dead body. Now it's going to take more than magic to clear my name. Thanks to new friends and a magically delicious vampire called Gray, I don't have to fly solo anymore. I'm out of my depth and out of options.
Can I catch a killer before it's too late, or am I doomed to live a life on the run?
Outcast: Spellslingers Academy of Magic, Warden of the West (Book 1) is a fantasy mystery with humor, action, a powerful heroine, and a fangtastic hero.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2018
2071 people are currently reading
1418 people want to read
About the author
Annabel Chase
351 books1,470 followersAnnabel Chase is the author of urban fantasy and cozy mystery novels. She would love to live in a magical town where she can shop at Ready-to-Were for the the perfect outfit, flirt with hot angels and vampires, and cook gourmet meals without exerting any effort. Visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Annabel-Chas... or on her website at www.annabelchase.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
February 18, 2019
Outcast had promise, but was underdeveloped. I thought, at first, I was going to like it, but it just never turned into what it could have been.
The characters and relationships were superficial. Bryn had some development and her relationship with Grey was the most fleshed out. Even that, though, was rather lacking. She also has three roommates (which is strange for a college situation, as is wearing uniforms) whom she can immediately count on for support and friendship. They barely stand out from one another and there is absolutely no basis for this.
The story could have worked if more had been put into developing some of the supporting issues. For example, Bryn is at this magical college where she's very behind all the other students, but she keeps running off on side adventures, sometimes for whole apparent days. When the heck does she have time for classes and her make up studies?
There is some witty dialogue, but because of the lack of support for those lines, it comes off a bit flat.
It's a good idea and they style of prose works for me, but there isn't any meat on the bones.
The characters and relationships were superficial. Bryn had some development and her relationship with Grey was the most fleshed out. Even that, though, was rather lacking. She also has three roommates (which is strange for a college situation, as is wearing uniforms) whom she can immediately count on for support and friendship. They barely stand out from one another and there is absolutely no basis for this.
The story could have worked if more had been put into developing some of the supporting issues. For example, Bryn is at this magical college where she's very behind all the other students, but she keeps running off on side adventures, sometimes for whole apparent days. When the heck does she have time for classes and her make up studies?
There is some witty dialogue, but because of the lack of support for those lines, it comes off a bit flat.
It's a good idea and they style of prose works for me, but there isn't any meat on the bones.
May 20, 2021
J’ai eu très envie d’abandonner mais il me restait 25% à lire donc je me suis forcée et ça m’a quand même paru très long... L’héroïne a passé sa vie à fuir en raison d’un père qu’elle n’a jamais connu, et voilà qu’elle s’adapte parfaitement au univers copié collé d’Harry Potter sans sourciller. Elle intègre une université mais les cours sont plus que sporadiques puisqu’elle a le temps d’enquêter sur un meurtre alors que ceux qui l’accusent la laissent libre de faire ce qu’elle veut et n’ont pas l’air de vouloir avancer. Et que dire de la fin qui se résout comme par magie. Ca faisait longtemps que je n’avais pas lu un roman WTF comme ça, j’aurais du abandonner au final.
January 24, 2023
This was frustrating. A book about a girl who can do magic who goes to a magic school and in the first chapter we find out 1) that she has a snow-white owl as her familiar and 2) her dad is "basically Voldemort." (I told my husband about that and he said, "Wait, like he seems like he is basically Voldemort, or does the book actually call him Voldemort?" It's not his name, but the comparison is literal. The book compares her bio-dad to Voldemort.) In another early chapter we meet two gargoyles named (I shit you not) Fred and George who spend their days Statler-and-Waldorf-ing the students.
It was a bit much. I mean yeah, feel free to acknowledge your similarities, but don't keep reminding me about them -- and don't name your characters after HP characters. It's weird.
The mystery solving was pretty hackneyed as well. At one point, Bryn goes with her love interest/mystery solving partner to a vampire dentist (said love interest is a vamp) as his "emotional support human." Bryn then proceeds to (under the guise of making conversation) ask all these super pointed (no pun intended) questions of the dentist about an employee who turned up dead. She gets loads of info from this guy who apparently doesn't see anything amiss from a total stranger asking insanely detailed questions about his dead former employee and happily spills all kinds of details. That's the kind of mystery we are dealing with.
It was pretty messy.
There were some really overwrought lines. I wish I could remember the precise wording, but there was one that I was listening to while getting ready for bed that made my husband go, "Oof! That was a rough line." (Something along the lines of, "Grey didn't need a heart. Mine was beating enough for the two of us." And really there wasn't enough romance between the two of them to go that far.) Add to that that Bryn, by virtue of her parentage, is the Most Powerful Sorceress Ever To Powerful (she doesn't even need a wand! Oooohhhhh!) and it was all a bit much.
What did I like? Well, I finished it, which is a point in its favor. There was a lot of potential here. I love the idea of the Harry character secretly being Tom Riddle's kid. I'm just not sure the execution is going to work out. I'm curious, but I'm not sure I'm curious enough to spend another Audible credit.
I also really liked the narrator. She was far better than the material.
It was a bit much. I mean yeah, feel free to acknowledge your similarities, but don't keep reminding me about them -- and don't name your characters after HP characters. It's weird.
The mystery solving was pretty hackneyed as well. At one point, Bryn goes with her love interest/mystery solving partner to a vampire dentist (said love interest is a vamp) as his "emotional support human." Bryn then proceeds to (under the guise of making conversation) ask all these super pointed (no pun intended) questions of the dentist about an employee who turned up dead. She gets loads of info from this guy who apparently doesn't see anything amiss from a total stranger asking insanely detailed questions about his dead former employee and happily spills all kinds of details. That's the kind of mystery we are dealing with.
It was pretty messy.
There were some really overwrought lines. I wish I could remember the precise wording, but there was one that I was listening to while getting ready for bed that made my husband go, "Oof! That was a rough line." (Something along the lines of, "Grey didn't need a heart. Mine was beating enough for the two of us." And really there wasn't enough romance between the two of them to go that far.) Add to that that Bryn, by virtue of her parentage, is the Most Powerful Sorceress Ever To Powerful (she doesn't even need a wand! Oooohhhhh!) and it was all a bit much.
What did I like? Well, I finished it, which is a point in its favor. There was a lot of potential here. I love the idea of the Harry character secretly being Tom Riddle's kid. I'm just not sure the execution is going to work out. I'm curious, but I'm not sure I'm curious enough to spend another Audible credit.
I also really liked the narrator. She was far better than the material.
April 21, 2018
Cast
KU
This was an enjoyable read with a bit of the academy style slipped in but not overwhelming enough to negatively skew the story. As much as I’m not a fan of the ‘I didn’t do it’ genre of mystery styled novels, this one entertained me enough to maintain my interest. The characters are all enjoyable without the typical nasty girl approach. I’m definitely carrying on to the next novel
KU
This was an enjoyable read with a bit of the academy style slipped in but not overwhelming enough to negatively skew the story. As much as I’m not a fan of the ‘I didn’t do it’ genre of mystery styled novels, this one entertained me enough to maintain my interest. The characters are all enjoyable without the typical nasty girl approach. I’m definitely carrying on to the next novel
September 16, 2024
This was an interesting start into a new world. As far as I remember, I've never read a book by Annabel Chase and boy, it's not gonna be my last. It probably won't become my favorite book but I liked it. The writing was addictive and I kinda liked Bryn and Grey. The story was okay as well although I have to admit that the ending lost me. I had no idea what was going on. That might just be me so I'm not gonna blame the book. I'm really looking forward to the next books in this series.
February 11, 2021
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Je n’ai lu qu’une seule série d’Annabel Chase, mais comme je l’avais beaucoup aimée, j’étais curieuse d’en découvrir une autre. Et puis, comment résister à cette jolie couverture ? Quoi qu’il en soit, j’ai passé un bon moment avec le roman.
Bryn est une jeune fille qui a toujours fui son passé et qui essaie d’éviter d’utiliser ses pouvoirs. Mais quand elle sauve la vie d’une famille, son existence est révélée et elle n’a plus le choix. Invitée à étudier dans une école de magie, mais essayant toujours de cacher ses origines sombres, notre héroïne va voir sa vie bouleversée. Croyant avoir enfin trouvé sa place, un endroit dans lequel elle pourrait rester, des amies qu’elle adore, tout se retrouve une fois de plus dans la balance quand elle découvre le corps d’un professeur et qu’elle devient la principale suspecte. Déterminée à innocenter son nom, la jeune fille va devoir tout mettre en œuvre pour découvrir la vérité.
C’était un roman assez sympa à suivre et j’ai plusieurs questions sur les personnages secondaires, du coup, je suis curieuse de lire le roman suivant. Il ne révolutionne pas le genre, mais on passe un bon moment comme je le disais.
My English review
Je n’ai lu qu’une seule série d’Annabel Chase, mais comme je l’avais beaucoup aimée, j’étais curieuse d’en découvrir une autre. Et puis, comment résister à cette jolie couverture ? Quoi qu’il en soit, j’ai passé un bon moment avec le roman.
Bryn est une jeune fille qui a toujours fui son passé et qui essaie d’éviter d’utiliser ses pouvoirs. Mais quand elle sauve la vie d’une famille, son existence est révélée et elle n’a plus le choix. Invitée à étudier dans une école de magie, mais essayant toujours de cacher ses origines sombres, notre héroïne va voir sa vie bouleversée. Croyant avoir enfin trouvé sa place, un endroit dans lequel elle pourrait rester, des amies qu’elle adore, tout se retrouve une fois de plus dans la balance quand elle découvre le corps d’un professeur et qu’elle devient la principale suspecte. Déterminée à innocenter son nom, la jeune fille va devoir tout mettre en œuvre pour découvrir la vérité.
C’était un roman assez sympa à suivre et j’ai plusieurs questions sur les personnages secondaires, du coup, je suis curieuse de lire le roman suivant. Il ne révolutionne pas le genre, mais on passe un bon moment comme je le disais.
March 31, 2018
Magic With A Wisecrack
Bryn is a compelling character with strengths and weaknesses. Grey a powerful, handsome yet damaged Vampire who helps her and may be more than a friend. I like the wisecracking dialogue, Bryn's slightly warped morality, and the action. I look forward to another book.
Bryn is a compelling character with strengths and weaknesses. Grey a powerful, handsome yet damaged Vampire who helps her and may be more than a friend. I like the wisecracking dialogue, Bryn's slightly warped morality, and the action. I look forward to another book.
July 3, 2023
3.5 stars.
I find the h has a lot of potential if only she’d stop pigeonholing herself.
I find the h has a lot of potential if only she’d stop pigeonholing herself.
December 28, 2018
I did not finish this book, but I think that is really more on me than on the author. The plot is decent (though a bit fast), the characters are interesting (though the MC is more accepting of her fate than I liked) and the world is Harry Potter'esque in an adult fashion. It just didn't 'catch' me, if that makes sense. It was well edited with no jarring mistakes nor slips in tone, but there was just something about it that missed me - I kept slipping out of the world and back into reality far too easily, something that annoys me when I try to engross myself in a tale. Considering this is just book in a series that spans multiple wardens, I may visit it again in the future.
July 31, 2022
I liked the concept of the story probably because it's a ripoff from Harry Potter. (When you compare her dad to Voldemort, the gargoyles are named Fred and George, AND there's a Professor who is grouchy like Snape?)
I'm a sucker for magic and vampires and I enjoyed Bryn exploring this new world (much like Harry Potter did when he went to Hogwarts), but I didn't enjoy how 80% of the things we learned was from dialogue. It was exhausting navigating some of the conversations when it could've been learned in a quick paragraph.
I wish Bryn and the other characters would have had more time development. Most of the relationships felt disingenuous. We get Bryn's attraction for Gray, but we don't really see his attraction for her or get to see that relationship build more. They just kind of became private investigators all of a sudden. Also, all her room mates were saying how they were her friends, but they were hardly even mentioned/participated in the story.
It's a quick read and not too bad. If I continue the series, I hope it gets better in those respects.
I'm a sucker for magic and vampires and I enjoyed Bryn exploring this new world (much like Harry Potter did when he went to Hogwarts), but I didn't enjoy how 80% of the things we learned was from dialogue. It was exhausting navigating some of the conversations when it could've been learned in a quick paragraph.
I wish Bryn and the other characters would have had more time development. Most of the relationships felt disingenuous. We get Bryn's attraction for Gray, but we don't really see his attraction for her or get to see that relationship build more. They just kind of became private investigators all of a sudden. Also, all her room mates were saying how they were her friends, but they were hardly even mentioned/participated in the story.
It's a quick read and not too bad. If I continue the series, I hope it gets better in those respects.
October 28, 2018
Not my cuppa
I didn't think I would make it to 50%. I think this book is more suited for juveniles. I will say that it got better around 70%. The best thing about it was how short the story was. No romance. Barely any action. The conversations were bland. All of the pop culture references took away from the story.
I didn't think I would make it to 50%. I think this book is more suited for juveniles. I will say that it got better around 70%. The best thing about it was how short the story was. No romance. Barely any action. The conversations were bland. All of the pop culture references took away from the story.
March 28, 2018
A quick, fun read.
The book is good from page one with plenty of action and believable characters. A well crafted story that I didn't want to end, can't wait to read more.
The book is good from page one with plenty of action and believable characters. A well crafted story that I didn't want to end, can't wait to read more.
March 31, 2018
Amazing
Amazing. Great story. You will find it difficult to put it down. If more than 5 stars was an option this book would receive more stars.
Amazing. Great story. You will find it difficult to put it down. If more than 5 stars was an option this book would receive more stars.
July 17, 2025
Cette série s'annonce très, très cool ! C'est un mélange farfelu entre Harry Potter et la Saga Winx.
Bryn Morrow est une jeune fille de vingt ans pas totalement ordinaire. Elle possède des pouvoirs magiques par son père et a grandi en cachette parmi les humains avec sa mère médecin. Mais elle se fait démasquer et doit rejoindre une académie pour suivre une formation. Sauf qu'elle est suspectée de meurtre, peu après son arrivée. Elle mène alors sa propre enquête qui va la conduire (en tandem) à rencontrer un vampire au passé bien sulfureux. Contre toute attente, il va devenir son partenaire et la guider dans les coulisses du monde surnaturel.
Certes, l'histoire s'appuie sur une base ordinaire. En plus de ça, le sentiment de lire du HP réchauffé est tenace. On trouve même des gargouilles du nom de Fred & George ! Ça me chiffonnait un peu. Cependant j'avais confiance en Annabel Chase pour aborder un virage plus convaincant. Et en effet on retrouve vite son ton plein d'humour et le rythme enfiévré de ses intrigues.
C'est un premier tome entraînant et prometteur pour la suite. On sent venir les mystères à éclaircir : sur le père de Bryn et le lien avec Gray. Bon point aussi pour la solidarité entre filles et l'absence de clichés (école privée, guerre des classes et coups bas). Je reste super fan des séries adultes de l'autrice mais je vais passer un bon moment à explorer son univers YA après tout. ✨😊✨
Bryn Morrow est une jeune fille de vingt ans pas totalement ordinaire. Elle possède des pouvoirs magiques par son père et a grandi en cachette parmi les humains avec sa mère médecin. Mais elle se fait démasquer et doit rejoindre une académie pour suivre une formation. Sauf qu'elle est suspectée de meurtre, peu après son arrivée. Elle mène alors sa propre enquête qui va la conduire (en tandem) à rencontrer un vampire au passé bien sulfureux. Contre toute attente, il va devenir son partenaire et la guider dans les coulisses du monde surnaturel.
Certes, l'histoire s'appuie sur une base ordinaire. En plus de ça, le sentiment de lire du HP réchauffé est tenace. On trouve même des gargouilles du nom de Fred & George ! Ça me chiffonnait un peu. Cependant j'avais confiance en Annabel Chase pour aborder un virage plus convaincant. Et en effet on retrouve vite son ton plein d'humour et le rythme enfiévré de ses intrigues.
C'est un premier tome entraînant et prometteur pour la suite. On sent venir les mystères à éclaircir : sur le père de Bryn et le lien avec Gray. Bon point aussi pour la solidarité entre filles et l'absence de clichés (école privée, guerre des classes et coups bas). Je reste super fan des séries adultes de l'autrice mais je vais passer un bon moment à explorer son univers YA après tout. ✨😊✨
April 15, 2020
Sweet and cosy paranormal mystery
I was expecting a much more grittier story, but as I said, this was a sweet book. No strong language - unless you class minatour sh!t as cursing 😉 - and no sexual content (which I am grateful for because some of the other ‘academy’ series I’ve read are chock full of explicit scenes).
The mystery of the missing item and the killers identity was, gor the most part, a simple whodunnit, but when you add in supernatural creatures and magic, well, it spices things up a bit. Loved the friendships that formed in this story and the potential romance, plus the dread Bryn feels about her father identity coming to light just adds to the possibilities in future books.
3 stars ⭐️
I was expecting a much more grittier story, but as I said, this was a sweet book. No strong language - unless you class minatour sh!t as cursing 😉 - and no sexual content (which I am grateful for because some of the other ‘academy’ series I’ve read are chock full of explicit scenes).
The mystery of the missing item and the killers identity was, gor the most part, a simple whodunnit, but when you add in supernatural creatures and magic, well, it spices things up a bit. Loved the friendships that formed in this story and the potential romance, plus the dread Bryn feels about her father identity coming to light just adds to the possibilities in future books.
3 stars ⭐️
February 4, 2021
http://www.unbrindelecture.com/2021/0...
Un premier tome qui présente une univers magique intrigant et surtout une héroïne courageuse , pétillante et pleine d'humour. On ne s'ennuie à aucun moment même si les évènements sont parfois prévisibles. Les pages tournent vite et bien et la curiosité est d'ors et déjà attisée pour la suite .
Un premier tome qui présente une univers magique intrigant et surtout une héroïne courageuse , pétillante et pleine d'humour. On ne s'ennuie à aucun moment même si les évènements sont parfois prévisibles. Les pages tournent vite et bien et la curiosité est d'ors et déjà attisée pour la suite .
March 27, 2023
This was a pretty uncomplicated "who dunnit" story set at a magical academy.
If you are looking for a YA palette cleanser after a complicated high fantasy book like I was, I think you'll enjoy it.
Typically, I think this book's target audience range would be somewhere between 10-17 year olds.
If you are looking for a YA palette cleanser after a complicated high fantasy book like I was, I think you'll enjoy it.
Typically, I think this book's target audience range would be somewhere between 10-17 year olds.
May 10, 2024
An entertaining start to the series. There are some parallels to Harry Potter but the author presents these in a tongue in cheek manner. It does read at this stage like a young adult story but will continue with the series.
March 29, 2018
Awesome. New Series
WOW..This caught me and wouldn't let go...Bryn has had a rough life, but she finally caught a break and I can't wait to see what happens next....
WOW..This caught me and wouldn't let go...Bryn has had a rough life, but she finally caught a break and I can't wait to see what happens next....
March 1, 2019
Shame it wasn't more detailed in the backstory and between the relationships. Still a good read
March 28, 2018
Loved this book! I can’t wait for book two! This book was a bit tamer than my normal reads but it still kept me engrossed. Great writing and great story line! I can’t wait to see more of these characters.
October 4, 2025
Kindle. Looks to be an interesting series.
March 26, 2018
Another hit from the pen of Annabel Chase. Love these new characters. Looking forward to getting to know them all better.
January 7, 2022
https://www.my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/20...
J'étais vraiment curieuse de découvrir ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow d'Annabel Chase. Il faut dire qu'entre la couverture (dont je suis fan), le résumé et l'univers mêlant sorcière et suspense, j'étais déjà convaincue que j'allais apprécier.
Bryn Morrow s'est toujours cachée et encore plus depuis que sa mère est décédée quatre ans plus tôt. Il faut dire qu'avoir un père aux pouvoirs puissants et digne des plus grands sorciers maléfiques, mieux vaut ne pas attirer les regards sur elle. Pourtant, quand une famille s'apprête à périr dans un accident, Bryn n'hésite pas une seconde et les sauvent in-extremis avec ses pouvoirs. Prise en chasse, elle va être secourue et emmener à l'Académie Lancesort. Si un nouveau départ semble possible pour elle, les ennuis sont toujours de la partie et voilà qu'elle tombe sur le cadavre du Maître d'Armes de l'Académie.
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture de ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow, je me suis rapidement mise dans l'ambiance. Bryn est une héroïne aux pouvoirs vraiment puissants mais qui n'a pas eu toutes les cartes en main pour les développer comme il fallait. Il faut dire que se cacher de tous, n'a pas du aider. Avec Icare, son familier, elle veille à ne pas attirer les regards. Manque de pot pour elle, ou du moins en apparence, la Présidente de l'Académie va la prendre sous son aile. J'ai trouvé Bryn vraiment attachante. Elle ne manque pas une occasion de sortir une petite vanne, a un fort potentiel en tant que sorcière (et ça c'est quand même vachement cool) et surtout, elle ne recule devant rien pour venir en aide aux autres et relever le mystère autour du vol / meurtre du Maître d'Armes.
Côté personnages secondaires, on est plutôt servis. Entre les camarades/colocataires de Bryn, qui ont pas mal de potentiel (et pour une fois, pas le cliché des langues de vipère dans le groupe), le Préfet bien trop sérieux mais qui se décoince au fil des pages ou encore le mystérieux et serviable vampire Gray avec lequel notre héroine va faire équipe dans cette affaire, on a l'embarras du choix. J'ai beaucoup apprécié chacun d'entre eux et suis curieuse de les voir évoluer. En tout cas, une chose est sûre, la romance qui pointe le bout de son nez, s'annonce vraiment pas mal et j'ai hâte de voir ça dans la suite.
Côté univers, j'ai été rapidement happé par celui-ci. Comme je vous le disais, je me suis rapidement mise dans l'ambiance. Avec ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow, nous sommes dans un mélange de Harry Potter pour tout ce qui est école secrète, chambrées et magie. Un brin de Kate Daniels, pour ce qui concernant Bryn et son père, dont elle se cache et cache ses pouvoirs et enfin un soupçon de suspense avec l'enquête sur le meurtre et le vol. Personnellement, ces similitudes ne m'ont pas posées problème puisque le tout est assez sympathique et l'autrice s'émancipe au fil des chapitres. De plus, je dois dire que le mystère autour de l'enquête m'a bien tenu en haleine. Je n'avais pas vu venir certains éléments, donc c'est plutôt bien joué de la part de l'autrice, Annabel Chase. D'ailleurs, j'en profite également pour souligner que la traduction est vraiment agréable est très fluide.
Honnêtement, ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow était vraiment cool ! Je ne me suis pas ennuyée une seconde et me suis prise d'affection pour chacun des personnages. Le seul hic ? Je dirais que comme pour de nombreux romans Young Adult, l'histoire n'est pas si approfondie que cela. Les événements s'enchainent assez vites et concrètement Bryn ne tombe pas vraiment sur une affaire complexe vu qu'elle s'en sort très facilement. De même que les relations entre les personnages ne sont pas tellement approfondies. Ce n'est pas gênant en soit, car personnellement, je l'ai pris comme une bonne lecture de fantasy urbaine YA légère et sans prise de tête mais ne vous attendez pas à de l'univers complexe, vous seriez déçus.
Au final, je n'ai fais qu'une bouchée de ma lecture et n'avait qu'une envie, me plonger dans la suite ! Il faut dire que le premier tome est assez fin, il me semble que les deux suivants le sont tout autant mais, il y a d'autres romans dans le même univers sur les amies de Bryn alors, ça s'annonce plutôt pas mal et notamment pour développer chaque personnage plus en détail.
En conclusion, j'ai beaucoup apprécié ma lecture de ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow. Un univers vraiment sympa mêlant sorcières, vampires, métamorphes et magie. L'histoire est prometteuse, tout comme les personnages et cerise sur le gâteau : ça se lit tout seul.
J'étais vraiment curieuse de découvrir ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow d'Annabel Chase. Il faut dire qu'entre la couverture (dont je suis fan), le résumé et l'univers mêlant sorcière et suspense, j'étais déjà convaincue que j'allais apprécier.
Bryn Morrow s'est toujours cachée et encore plus depuis que sa mère est décédée quatre ans plus tôt. Il faut dire qu'avoir un père aux pouvoirs puissants et digne des plus grands sorciers maléfiques, mieux vaut ne pas attirer les regards sur elle. Pourtant, quand une famille s'apprête à périr dans un accident, Bryn n'hésite pas une seconde et les sauvent in-extremis avec ses pouvoirs. Prise en chasse, elle va être secourue et emmener à l'Académie Lancesort. Si un nouveau départ semble possible pour elle, les ennuis sont toujours de la partie et voilà qu'elle tombe sur le cadavre du Maître d'Armes de l'Académie.
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture de ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow, je me suis rapidement mise dans l'ambiance. Bryn est une héroïne aux pouvoirs vraiment puissants mais qui n'a pas eu toutes les cartes en main pour les développer comme il fallait. Il faut dire que se cacher de tous, n'a pas du aider. Avec Icare, son familier, elle veille à ne pas attirer les regards. Manque de pot pour elle, ou du moins en apparence, la Présidente de l'Académie va la prendre sous son aile. J'ai trouvé Bryn vraiment attachante. Elle ne manque pas une occasion de sortir une petite vanne, a un fort potentiel en tant que sorcière (et ça c'est quand même vachement cool) et surtout, elle ne recule devant rien pour venir en aide aux autres et relever le mystère autour du vol / meurtre du Maître d'Armes.
Côté personnages secondaires, on est plutôt servis. Entre les camarades/colocataires de Bryn, qui ont pas mal de potentiel (et pour une fois, pas le cliché des langues de vipère dans le groupe), le Préfet bien trop sérieux mais qui se décoince au fil des pages ou encore le mystérieux et serviable vampire Gray avec lequel notre héroine va faire équipe dans cette affaire, on a l'embarras du choix. J'ai beaucoup apprécié chacun d'entre eux et suis curieuse de les voir évoluer. En tout cas, une chose est sûre, la romance qui pointe le bout de son nez, s'annonce vraiment pas mal et j'ai hâte de voir ça dans la suite.
Côté univers, j'ai été rapidement happé par celui-ci. Comme je vous le disais, je me suis rapidement mise dans l'ambiance. Avec ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow, nous sommes dans un mélange de Harry Potter pour tout ce qui est école secrète, chambrées et magie. Un brin de Kate Daniels, pour ce qui concernant Bryn et son père, dont elle se cache et cache ses pouvoirs et enfin un soupçon de suspense avec l'enquête sur le meurtre et le vol. Personnellement, ces similitudes ne m'ont pas posées problème puisque le tout est assez sympathique et l'autrice s'émancipe au fil des chapitres. De plus, je dois dire que le mystère autour de l'enquête m'a bien tenu en haleine. Je n'avais pas vu venir certains éléments, donc c'est plutôt bien joué de la part de l'autrice, Annabel Chase. D'ailleurs, j'en profite également pour souligner que la traduction est vraiment agréable est très fluide.
Honnêtement, ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow était vraiment cool ! Je ne me suis pas ennuyée une seconde et me suis prise d'affection pour chacun des personnages. Le seul hic ? Je dirais que comme pour de nombreux romans Young Adult, l'histoire n'est pas si approfondie que cela. Les événements s'enchainent assez vites et concrètement Bryn ne tombe pas vraiment sur une affaire complexe vu qu'elle s'en sort très facilement. De même que les relations entre les personnages ne sont pas tellement approfondies. Ce n'est pas gênant en soit, car personnellement, je l'ai pris comme une bonne lecture de fantasy urbaine YA légère et sans prise de tête mais ne vous attendez pas à de l'univers complexe, vous seriez déçus.
Au final, je n'ai fais qu'une bouchée de ma lecture et n'avait qu'une envie, me plonger dans la suite ! Il faut dire que le premier tome est assez fin, il me semble que les deux suivants le sont tout autant mais, il y a d'autres romans dans le même univers sur les amies de Bryn alors, ça s'annonce plutôt pas mal et notamment pour développer chaque personnage plus en détail.
En conclusion, j'ai beaucoup apprécié ma lecture de ce premier tome de Bryn Morrow. Un univers vraiment sympa mêlant sorcières, vampires, métamorphes et magie. L'histoire est prometteuse, tout comme les personnages et cerise sur le gâteau : ça se lit tout seul.
January 11, 2019
So boring I couldn't keep listening after just 2 hours into the audio book. Really stilted writing with boring and bland dialogue/monologue. Nothing seemed even a little interesting about this book.
May 7, 2018
Set in the same world as the Spellbound and Starry Hollow books, which I have devoured in a matter of 2 weeks, this trilogy (my review is for all 3 books in Bryn's trilogy) feels slighter darker and more gritty than the others and that is no bad thing. Bryn knows that she has magic but does not realise that there is an entire world which exists entirely of it living parallel to the human one. She finds herself rescued for a dangerous situation and in the Spellslingers school for magical training. There she takes neatly takes the place of a girl who led the school and finds herself on the path of future warden of the west, a concept we were introduced to in Spellbound. I am still hoping we get to find out more about that tie in. There are a couple small nods to the other towns in the magical world and it remains a fun one.
Bryn herself is a survivor and her whole character centres around this. From the very start she has to prove her worth and finds allies, but also enemies in unexpected places. The world has it's darker corners and Bryn gets to experience a lot of that. Her friendship with Gary, the troubled vampire, is a delight and I love that there is a slow burn of friendship before romance here. All in all a great read, I look forward to the next trilogy, although I am disappointed that we won't be continuing with Bryn's.
Bryn herself is a survivor and her whole character centres around this. From the very start she has to prove her worth and finds allies, but also enemies in unexpected places. The world has it's darker corners and Bryn gets to experience a lot of that. Her friendship with Gary, the troubled vampire, is a delight and I love that there is a slow burn of friendship before romance here. All in all a great read, I look forward to the next trilogy, although I am disappointed that we won't be continuing with Bryn's.
January 20, 2022
I stopped at chapter 8, unimpressed by the writing. It's too similar to so many other YA books I've read with the magical academy in another dimension that human's don't know about. The movement through the plot felt like an outline with boxes checked off, rather that world building and getting to know the characters. No time was spent on building out the personalities of characters beyond one flat characteristic. This person is wise, that one is skeptical, that one is gruff, this one is a wide-eyed earnest ingénue, that smart one is dweeby and a rule follower. It just didn't keep my interest.
Premise: girl born of human mom and magical dad in the human world has been hidden from him, on the run for her whole life. She uses her magic (illegally - but she didn't know that) to save the lives of a family and is IDed as magical and swept over to the magical dimension to go to the magical school. She discovers her dad has been dead for a long time, but as she's processing that news, she stumbles on a dead teacher and and is implicated in the theft of a valuable artifact. The rest of the book is likely about her clearing her name and making friends.
Premise: girl born of human mom and magical dad in the human world has been hidden from him, on the run for her whole life. She uses her magic (illegally - but she didn't know that) to save the lives of a family and is IDed as magical and swept over to the magical dimension to go to the magical school. She discovers her dad has been dead for a long time, but as she's processing that news, she stumbles on a dead teacher and and is implicated in the theft of a valuable artifact. The rest of the book is likely about her clearing her name and making friends.
October 31, 2020
Bryn Morrow, lives alone following the death of her mother..
.. daughter of human doctor and and an evil sorcerer living in the human world in hiding from him uses her magic to save a family from certain death. Having spent her whole life on the run as her mother tried to protect her from her father she's avoided using magic as much as possible. The power of her spell breaks through to other paranormals and she's being hunted by werewolves when Chancellor Tilkin appears to save her, and transports her back to Spellslingers Academy to train as a Warden of the West.
No longer on the run Bryn is however caught up in a mystery when one of the teachers is murdered and she stumbles upon the body. Under suspicion she works with her new roommates, a stuffy prefect and a vampire to solve the crime.
The book is a little simplistic, "suddenly she knows who did it". The conclusion is a little bit too easily achieved as if the author has run out of room and needed to jump things along.
.. daughter of human doctor and and an evil sorcerer living in the human world in hiding from him uses her magic to save a family from certain death. Having spent her whole life on the run as her mother tried to protect her from her father she's avoided using magic as much as possible. The power of her spell breaks through to other paranormals and she's being hunted by werewolves when Chancellor Tilkin appears to save her, and transports her back to Spellslingers Academy to train as a Warden of the West.
No longer on the run Bryn is however caught up in a mystery when one of the teachers is murdered and she stumbles upon the body. Under suspicion she works with her new roommates, a stuffy prefect and a vampire to solve the crime.
The book is a little simplistic, "suddenly she knows who did it". The conclusion is a little bit too easily achieved as if the author has run out of room and needed to jump things along.
December 23, 2020
Book jumps into plot quicly
This was a clean, fun read. The story jumps into the action quickly. There is not a lot of world building early on. The world unfolds as the main character is learning about it. The characters are fairly straight forward and likeable. There are no mean girls or cliques. The heroine jumps into investigating the mystery without much pressure (or maybe I didn't get the sense of urgency). The story primarily focuses on her following each clue to solve the mystery. I would categorize this as a light paranormal mystery with a hint of romance. I liked the fact that the roommates immediately welcomed her. The chancellor accepts her history without judgment. I guess I liked the lack of drama in relationships. I want to read next in series. I want to know how Bryn's story unfolds. It was a fun, light read which jumps into the action quickly.
This was a clean, fun read. The story jumps into the action quickly. There is not a lot of world building early on. The world unfolds as the main character is learning about it. The characters are fairly straight forward and likeable. There are no mean girls or cliques. The heroine jumps into investigating the mystery without much pressure (or maybe I didn't get the sense of urgency). The story primarily focuses on her following each clue to solve the mystery. I would categorize this as a light paranormal mystery with a hint of romance. I liked the fact that the roommates immediately welcomed her. The chancellor accepts her history without judgment. I guess I liked the lack of drama in relationships. I want to read next in series. I want to know how Bryn's story unfolds. It was a fun, light read which jumps into the action quickly.
May 20, 2018
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
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