What do you think?
Rate this book
Magic Harvest #2
Magic Heist
Layla rescued fairies that had been kidnapped and brought the human world. But now they can’t find their way back to the magic realm and time is running out.
Layla is a powerful fairy with magical ability that stretches beyond throwing spells. But with all that power, she still doesn’t know how to get over one-hundred fairies back to the magic realm. With their magic gone, the rescued fairies have no immunity to protect them from the toxins of the human world, and they’re slowly dying.
To find the path home, Layla knows she must team up with the one man who can make her insides quiver with an accidental brush of his fingertips. The same man who’s alter ego dragon is the natural predator of fairies. The man she knows will give his life to keep the fairies safe—Scotland’s finest Specialist Crime Division leader, Ian Cameron.
Ian has only been a dragon shifter for a few days. He struggles to control the dragon spirit locked inside his human form, doesn’t know what magical powers he may or may not have, and has never been to a magical world. But none of those things frighten him as much as the little spark that ignites in his soul when the half – human fairy is around.
But this little fairy is no Tinkerbell. She is brave, powerful, and can wield a sword like a medieval knight.
With growing feelings toward Layla, he couldn’t refuse to help her get the fairies back to the magic realm if he wanted to. The problem is the dragon who lives inside him would like nothing more than to feed his appetite with all of those little fairies—especially the half human one who killed its leader.
“Mary Karlik, is truly a hidden gem of a writer.” – I Am the Bookworm
Fairy Trafficking Series
1. Magic Harvest
2. Magic Heist - Coming April 2, 2019!
Layla is a powerful fairy with magical ability that stretches beyond throwing spells. But with all that power, she still doesn’t know how to get over one-hundred fairies back to the magic realm. With their magic gone, the rescued fairies have no immunity to protect them from the toxins of the human world, and they’re slowly dying.
To find the path home, Layla knows she must team up with the one man who can make her insides quiver with an accidental brush of his fingertips. The same man who’s alter ego dragon is the natural predator of fairies. The man she knows will give his life to keep the fairies safe—Scotland’s finest Specialist Crime Division leader, Ian Cameron.
Ian has only been a dragon shifter for a few days. He struggles to control the dragon spirit locked inside his human form, doesn’t know what magical powers he may or may not have, and has never been to a magical world. But none of those things frighten him as much as the little spark that ignites in his soul when the half – human fairy is around.
But this little fairy is no Tinkerbell. She is brave, powerful, and can wield a sword like a medieval knight.
With growing feelings toward Layla, he couldn’t refuse to help her get the fairies back to the magic realm if he wanted to. The problem is the dragon who lives inside him would like nothing more than to feed his appetite with all of those little fairies—especially the half human one who killed its leader.
“Mary Karlik, is truly a hidden gem of a writer.” – I Am the Bookworm
Fairy Trafficking Series
1. Magic Harvest
2. Magic Heist - Coming April 2, 2019!
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2019
10 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Mary Karlik
14 books126 followersMary Karlik (also writing as Mary J. Wilson) combines her Texas roots with her Scottish heritage to write happily-ever-afters from Texas to Scotland. When she is not writing or reading, Mary can usually be found hanging out with family and friends, or hill walking in Scotland.
Mary has five indie-published contemporary young adult romance novels and two indie-published fantasy novels.
Mary earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, has a B.S. degree from Texas A&M University, and is currently studying Scottish Gaelic at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye, Scotland. She is also a certified, professional ski instructor and a Registered Nurse.
Mary is an active member of Contemporary Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Dallas Area Romance Authors. Married to a Scott, Mary lives in both and Scotland and Texas.
Mary has five indie-published contemporary young adult romance novels and two indie-published fantasy novels.
Mary earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, has a B.S. degree from Texas A&M University, and is currently studying Scottish Gaelic at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye, Scotland. She is also a certified, professional ski instructor and a Registered Nurse.
Mary is an active member of Contemporary Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Dallas Area Romance Authors. Married to a Scott, Mary lives in both and Scotland and Texas.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 23, 2023
Quick Summary: Where fantasy and fiction meet humanity
My Review: Magic Heist by Mary Karlik is book 2 of 2 in the Fairy Trafficking series.
About the Book: Being half human and half fae would complicate anyone's life. Layla knows that firsthand. When she is swept into a dark underworld of activity concerning the fae, she is introduced to those who would either help her or harm her. How will she help the rescued fairies get back to where they belong? What will happen between her and the dragon?
My Final Say: Although I didn't read book 1 prior to my exposure to this installment, I can say that it did not negate the fact that this was a captivating read. I really liked the fact that Layla and Ian had layers to who they were. I also liked the tension between these two. I don't recall ever reading a book quite like this one before. I bet it would be amazing to hear the audio version. (Sign me up for that!)
Other: I do plan to read book one and go forward. I prefer to follow installments in sequential order. Still, this had texture and direction, and I could totally get with that.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA/T
Re-read: Yes
Status/Level: 💬
Audiobook: Wishlist
Note: The cover should be updated and the book should be re-released.
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (INscribe Digital, Ink Monster, LLC), and to NetGalley for granting access to this book. I am appreciative for the opportunity. Despite the delay in submission, I wanted to honor my commitment to share my thoughts and opinions on this work.
My Review: Magic Heist by Mary Karlik is book 2 of 2 in the Fairy Trafficking series.
About the Book: Being half human and half fae would complicate anyone's life. Layla knows that firsthand. When she is swept into a dark underworld of activity concerning the fae, she is introduced to those who would either help her or harm her. How will she help the rescued fairies get back to where they belong? What will happen between her and the dragon?
My Final Say: Although I didn't read book 1 prior to my exposure to this installment, I can say that it did not negate the fact that this was a captivating read. I really liked the fact that Layla and Ian had layers to who they were. I also liked the tension between these two. I don't recall ever reading a book quite like this one before. I bet it would be amazing to hear the audio version. (Sign me up for that!)
Other: I do plan to read book one and go forward. I prefer to follow installments in sequential order. Still, this had texture and direction, and I could totally get with that.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA/T
Re-read: Yes
Status/Level: 💬
Audiobook: Wishlist
Note: The cover should be updated and the book should be re-released.
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (INscribe Digital, Ink Monster, LLC), and to NetGalley for granting access to this book. I am appreciative for the opportunity. Despite the delay in submission, I wanted to honor my commitment to share my thoughts and opinions on this work.
November 11, 2019
DNF at 27%
I didn't know that this was the second book in the series, and i was sorta confused wich made me not enjoy the book as much as i hoped i would. So that's why i DNF'ed it.
I didn't know that this was the second book in the series, and i was sorta confused wich made me not enjoy the book as much as i hoped i would. So that's why i DNF'ed it.
June 29, 2019
I was bored with the first book, but this one was such a page-turner. The thrill of not knowing what would happen next to the characters made this book captivating! I was always so eager to find out where they’d go next and how they’d solve each problem.
There were new characters introduced, and the old ones were built upon. I liked Amelia and how she interacted with Buzzard. I especially enjoyed Ian and Layla’s relationship. I also liked Finn, and I thought it was funny how he’d enjoy doing things that annoyed Ian. The characters provided a lot of comedy.
This book was a fun, twisty read which will never let you guess what will happen next. If you enjoyed the first book(or didn’t) get excited because this one is even better!
There were new characters introduced, and the old ones were built upon. I liked Amelia and how she interacted with Buzzard. I especially enjoyed Ian and Layla’s relationship. I also liked Finn, and I thought it was funny how he’d enjoy doing things that annoyed Ian. The characters provided a lot of comedy.
This book was a fun, twisty read which will never let you guess what will happen next. If you enjoyed the first book(or didn’t) get excited because this one is even better!
September 19, 2019
Magic Heist picks up where Magic Harvest left off. If you haven't read book one, you may want to do so before trying to tackle book two. Otherwise, a lot of the events may be hard to keep up with.
Also, my review may be kind of spoiler-y if you haven't read book one.
***
Layla, Ian, and the others are back to try and help the fairies they rescued get back to the magic realm, especially now that none of them have magic. Unfortunately, finding the portal to get them back home is proving to be difficult. Add in some nasty dragons, as well as a few other not-so-nice characters, and the gang has their work cut out for them.
Layla is struggling to deal with the fact that fairies are still being trafficked. Ian is struggling with the dragon spirit inside him. And new secrets about Ian's family may just be too much for them to handle.
I thought the sequel was pretty decent. There's a lot more going on in this one, and at times it was a little hard to keep up with. The characters bounce from one location to the next, and it is definitely a bit of a whirlwind.
I enjoyed the introduction of Hamish and Maeban (I think that's how his name was spelled). They were both two new, intriguing characters, and I hope there's more of them in book three. I am also still holding out hope that we get more backstory on Layla and her human side. Who was her father? Is he still alive? And I'm going to hope for more interesting details about Ian and Layla's new twist to their relationship. I won't spoil this, but Ian can now do something he wasn't able to before, and because he's part dragon, I'm curious to know if that affects Layla in any way.
While I did like the story, it didn't have the same excitement or intensity for me as the first book did. Magic Heist may have been a little darker, but I didn't really connect with it in the same way I did with Magic Harvest. That's probably just me, though. I thought it was a little rushed in some spots, and it just didn't light that spark in me the same way book one did. But I would still recommend it to fans of YA fantasy, and fans of the first book.
I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
Also, my review may be kind of spoiler-y if you haven't read book one.
***
Layla, Ian, and the others are back to try and help the fairies they rescued get back to the magic realm, especially now that none of them have magic. Unfortunately, finding the portal to get them back home is proving to be difficult. Add in some nasty dragons, as well as a few other not-so-nice characters, and the gang has their work cut out for them.
Layla is struggling to deal with the fact that fairies are still being trafficked. Ian is struggling with the dragon spirit inside him. And new secrets about Ian's family may just be too much for them to handle.
I thought the sequel was pretty decent. There's a lot more going on in this one, and at times it was a little hard to keep up with. The characters bounce from one location to the next, and it is definitely a bit of a whirlwind.
I enjoyed the introduction of Hamish and Maeban (I think that's how his name was spelled). They were both two new, intriguing characters, and I hope there's more of them in book three. I am also still holding out hope that we get more backstory on Layla and her human side. Who was her father? Is he still alive? And I'm going to hope for more interesting details about Ian and Layla's new twist to their relationship. I won't spoil this, but Ian can now do something he wasn't able to before, and because he's part dragon, I'm curious to know if that affects Layla in any way.
While I did like the story, it didn't have the same excitement or intensity for me as the first book did. Magic Heist may have been a little darker, but I didn't really connect with it in the same way I did with Magic Harvest. That's probably just me, though. I thought it was a little rushed in some spots, and it just didn't light that spark in me the same way book one did. But I would still recommend it to fans of YA fantasy, and fans of the first book.
I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
July 16, 2019
Book two in the series (and there will be a book three!!!)
Layla and Ian, that chemistry! I couldn’t wait for them to finally be alone. But that didn’t happen until the end, so the buildup was great.
In book two the team tries to find the Magic market place to locate more Fairies in this huge Fairy trafficking ring. Ian, a half dragon now, is trying to control the dragon for most of the book. Buzzard is as funny as ever and Finn can’t seem to take a step back from Layla and makes Ian jealous.
More side characters came up in this book and I can’t wait to read book three in this great series!
I received this ebook copy from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.
Layla and Ian, that chemistry! I couldn’t wait for them to finally be alone. But that didn’t happen until the end, so the buildup was great.
In book two the team tries to find the Magic market place to locate more Fairies in this huge Fairy trafficking ring. Ian, a half dragon now, is trying to control the dragon for most of the book. Buzzard is as funny as ever and Finn can’t seem to take a step back from Layla and makes Ian jealous.
More side characters came up in this book and I can’t wait to read book three in this great series!
I received this ebook copy from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.
October 16, 2019
Magic Heist by Mary Karlik is the second book in the Fairy Trafficking Series that I listened to on audio narrated by Ruth Urquhart.
This is the second book of Mary’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. The story was a very enjoyable young adult fantasy. I love Layla and Ian’s sweet romance. The book does end on a cliffhanger.
Ruth did an amazing job narrating. I absolutely loved her accent for this book. I felt like it brought authenticity to the fairy world.
AudiobookObsession
AudiobookObsessionReviewer
This is the second book of Mary’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. The story was a very enjoyable young adult fantasy. I love Layla and Ian’s sweet romance. The book does end on a cliffhanger.
Ruth did an amazing job narrating. I absolutely loved her accent for this book. I felt like it brought authenticity to the fairy world.
AudiobookObsession
AudiobookObsessionReviewer
July 10, 2019
After reading the first book in the series a few days ago, this one kicks off right where that one left off. Immediately the reader is dropped into a captivating story, that at times feels a little rushed and chaotic, but altogether was a pretty interesting example of the strength of a great YA novel.
The characters, which I found some to be flat and uninteresting, blossomed into interesting characters in their own right, with many new characters adding to the excitement of the novel. Finn, who appears briefly in the first book, plays a much more critical part in this one and I found his addition to be really interesting. Amelia was also a stand-out character in my opinion.
The plot was much faster than the first novel. I felt like so many things happened in this one and the characters jumped from one huge scene to another. The ending of the book felt rushed and the action scenes were very confusing to get though, but this is characteristic of the authors choice to not have a clearly set out magic system. The action was people throwing spells at one another and I barely grasped what was happening. Some of the action scenes were explained in past tense, like "this just happened to me" even though the current narrating character was literally right there and could easily have seen the action and described it as a first-hand account. It made the action scene go way faster then it should have.
Finally there are quite a few massive revelations that happen at the very end of the book, some predictable, but others not, and there was almost no discussion of those revelations before the end, leaving it feeling unfinished.
Most of my criticisms are just based on the type of book that it is and I feel like this book is really good at being a lite YA fantasy book with a few darker undertones.Overall I enjoyed this sequel more than the original and I can't wait for the final book to be released in early 2020.
4 stars.
The characters, which I found some to be flat and uninteresting, blossomed into interesting characters in their own right, with many new characters adding to the excitement of the novel. Finn, who appears briefly in the first book, plays a much more critical part in this one and I found his addition to be really interesting. Amelia was also a stand-out character in my opinion.
The plot was much faster than the first novel. I felt like so many things happened in this one and the characters jumped from one huge scene to another. The ending of the book felt rushed and the action scenes were very confusing to get though, but this is characteristic of the authors choice to not have a clearly set out magic system. The action was people throwing spells at one another and I barely grasped what was happening. Some of the action scenes were explained in past tense, like "this just happened to me" even though the current narrating character was literally right there and could easily have seen the action and described it as a first-hand account. It made the action scene go way faster then it should have.
Finally there are quite a few massive revelations that happen at the very end of the book, some predictable, but others not, and there was almost no discussion of those revelations before the end, leaving it feeling unfinished.
Most of my criticisms are just based on the type of book that it is and I feel like this book is really good at being a lite YA fantasy book with a few darker undertones.Overall I enjoyed this sequel more than the original and I can't wait for the final book to be released in early 2020.
4 stars.
October 5, 2019
While this book wasn't exactly as wonderful as the first book, in my opinion, it was still very wonderful. Also, if I'm being honest, both books were very cheesy. I think that's what makes them both charming to me. I also have to give the author points for creativity and uniqueness. She managed to make very popular topics shine in a brand new light. It's like she made the impossible seem possible. I can't wait to continue this series. Especially with the way it ended.
The characters are all great, but I can't lie. Sometimes I got a little overwhelmed and confused with all the characters. I adore Layla, but there are times she kind of gets on my nerves a bit. I adore Ian as well. He could be a book boyfriend, but there are times he just lacks the flair I need and want in a book boyfriend. He's still amazing though.
I have no complaints where the narrator is concerned. Her name is Ruth Urquhart. I am pretty sure she did the first book as well, but I'm not a hundred percent. I'd be curious to try other books she has narrated quite frankly. I'd love to know if the accent in the book is her real accent. It's so adorable!
This has been a great journey that I'm excited to continue on to see where it heads. While this may not be one of my favorite book/series of all times, I have enjoyed it quite a bit. I've enjoyed seeing familiar things in a new light. It's been quite enlightening and enjoyable. I'm glad I was introduced to these books.
The characters are all great, but I can't lie. Sometimes I got a little overwhelmed and confused with all the characters. I adore Layla, but there are times she kind of gets on my nerves a bit. I adore Ian as well. He could be a book boyfriend, but there are times he just lacks the flair I need and want in a book boyfriend. He's still amazing though.
I have no complaints where the narrator is concerned. Her name is Ruth Urquhart. I am pretty sure she did the first book as well, but I'm not a hundred percent. I'd be curious to try other books she has narrated quite frankly. I'd love to know if the accent in the book is her real accent. It's so adorable!
This has been a great journey that I'm excited to continue on to see where it heads. While this may not be one of my favorite book/series of all times, I have enjoyed it quite a bit. I've enjoyed seeing familiar things in a new light. It's been quite enlightening and enjoyable. I'm glad I was introduced to these books.
July 18, 2019
Love reading fairy books? Take a peek at this one!
I didn't read the first book, and I think it would have been better to have because there was a backstory that took me a chunk of the book to figure out.
But besides that, I think it was a solid book.
We follow the main character as she is on a mission to save her fellow fairies. She's the typical, strong YA heroine but with a magical twist. It was interesting to see the fantasy take on trafficking and the suspense behind locating and deploying a way to save them.
There is a hint of a romance in this book as well. It is a pretty slow burn and takes almost the entire book to really get to the peak of it.
I loved the world building, but again, it would have been a little better rounded if I had read the first book.
I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars. If you love fairies, this would be a really good series to pick up next
I didn't read the first book, and I think it would have been better to have because there was a backstory that took me a chunk of the book to figure out.
But besides that, I think it was a solid book.
We follow the main character as she is on a mission to save her fellow fairies. She's the typical, strong YA heroine but with a magical twist. It was interesting to see the fantasy take on trafficking and the suspense behind locating and deploying a way to save them.
There is a hint of a romance in this book as well. It is a pretty slow burn and takes almost the entire book to really get to the peak of it.
I loved the world building, but again, it would have been a little better rounded if I had read the first book.
I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars. If you love fairies, this would be a really good series to pick up next
July 30, 2019
This is the second book in the series. I didn't read the first one, but the beginning of this book spent a lot of time rehashing the events of the last book so it was pretty easy to figure out everything that led to this point of the adventures. This is a good idea, but the writing was lacking. It wasn't the worst writing, it just wasn't very good. Like constantly using stomach issues to convey stress. Also, this is listed as YA, but the characters seemed grown-up. The lead male is a cop. The story doesn't have any raunchy love scenes, but the characters weren't kids. The world-building was pretty good, and the pacing was ok. It's just that the overall story didn't draw me in. Layla was ok. Ian was ok. I really didn't care if they got together or not. I won't be continuing with this series.
June 22, 2019
I received this ARC for an honest review. This is the second book in the series. IT IS NOT A STAND ALONE. The first book is Magic Harvest (Fairy Trafficking Book 1). In this book, Ian, Layla, and friends are trying to get the rescued fairies home. Of course, fate has other plans. Who can Layla trust? Will Ian and Layla get a chance to be together? I hate to say too much because so much happens in this book, and I hate to post spoilers. I like how the author, Mary Karlik, does a good job of blending our world with Layla’s magic world.
I did enjoy this story. Even though this is labeled YA, I think adults will enjoy this story. I say give this series a try
I did enjoy this story. Even though this is labeled YA, I think adults will enjoy this story. I say give this series a try
September 19, 2019
This is book 2 in the Fairy Trafficking series and I think I would have liked Magic Heist if I had read book 1. Mary Karlik does a pretty good job of providing details that are relevant from book 1 but I just thought it was slightly hard to follow the story without the background.Layla is a fairy with some strange powers and she and Ian team up to help save the fairy world. Teens/ young adults who like paranormal stories will probably enjoy this read. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 1, 2019
The way Ruth Urquhart narrates this is so beautiful. She handles all the accents so well and it's easy to tell who is who and they carried on really well from the first book.
Is it odd that I liked this book more than the first? I'm not sure if it's being more comfortable with the characters and their world or whether I just liked the actual story more. I loved the way it carries on from the first book, the overarching storyline interspersed with smaller storylines. It made me chuckle in quite a few places and I like where it ended up.
Is it odd that I liked this book more than the first? I'm not sure if it's being more comfortable with the characters and their world or whether I just liked the actual story more. I loved the way it carries on from the first book, the overarching storyline interspersed with smaller storylines. It made me chuckle in quite a few places and I like where it ended up.
June 4, 2019
I'm loving this series! Fey, Dragon's, all sorts of magic....it is a enticing web of danger. The storyline is pure fantasy with hints of Scotland lore and all types of mystical creatures. The world building is so incredible and so much fun.
I absolutely adore Layla and Ian's characters and how much more the previous book's characters are so much more involved in this book. I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment!
I absolutely adore Layla and Ian's characters and how much more the previous book's characters are so much more involved in this book. I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment!
October 4, 2019
This book starts exactly where the first book ends and the story continues to save faeries from death and slavery. There is so much more you learn in this story and more twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait for more in this series and hope it will be out soon.
December 8, 2019
Originally published on Cyn's Workshop
A fun sequel that moves at a faster pace than the previous novel and picks up right where the previous novel left off, beginning with a light, fun atmosphere before launching into the action and the storytelling.
Keeping the pace of the story moving Magic Heist splits up Layla and Ian, sending Ian to the Fae realm and keeping Layla in the human realm. By separating the two, the story gives the reader new perspectives on the world’s that the characters land in. It keeps the pace moving, keeps the story engaging as the characters explore different aspects of the realms that the characters reside. Magic Heist also brings back characters from the previous novel and introduces new ones with fresh dynamics to keep the story entertaining and bring new life and perspectives about the differing worlds.
The most entertaining aspect of the novel is the turn the plot takes, one that is different from the previous novel. It is very reminiscent of the Ocean’s film franchise. It brings the gang together and develops the characters and the story in a way to keep the story engaging. However, more than that, it builds on the fantasy aspect of the novel. It offers up twists and turns to the story and shows readers how everything is not just black and white, how sometimes thing happen that are unfair. For Layla, she sees things in a new way; her perspective is opening, and her sense of justice, her desperate need to right the wrongs of her people make her shine through the pages.
Layla is not the only character to shine thankfully. A dragon has cursed Ian, providing the story and character with a passionate internal struggle. He is battling the dragon within him instead of accepting it, of channeling him. It is a constant battle for him to go against what the dragon wishes, but the journey to him overcoming it is overwhelming. As for the other human, they are still trying to reconcile this fact that magic and fantasy exist, that they are real. For each of them, the journey is overwhelming; it is empowering, and makes for an interesting read, giving dimension to the dynamics and the relationships. For the Fae, their journey is all about overcoming bigotry, and to see almost all of them overcome this is incredible. It serves as a teaching lesson for the reader, as well as for the characters.
It is fun and quirky, and the characters balance each other out perfectly, making for a delightful read. (★★★★☆)
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
A fun sequel that moves at a faster pace than the previous novel and picks up right where the previous novel left off, beginning with a light, fun atmosphere before launching into the action and the storytelling.
Keeping the pace of the story moving Magic Heist splits up Layla and Ian, sending Ian to the Fae realm and keeping Layla in the human realm. By separating the two, the story gives the reader new perspectives on the world’s that the characters land in. It keeps the pace moving, keeps the story engaging as the characters explore different aspects of the realms that the characters reside. Magic Heist also brings back characters from the previous novel and introduces new ones with fresh dynamics to keep the story entertaining and bring new life and perspectives about the differing worlds.
The most entertaining aspect of the novel is the turn the plot takes, one that is different from the previous novel. It is very reminiscent of the Ocean’s film franchise. It brings the gang together and develops the characters and the story in a way to keep the story engaging. However, more than that, it builds on the fantasy aspect of the novel. It offers up twists and turns to the story and shows readers how everything is not just black and white, how sometimes thing happen that are unfair. For Layla, she sees things in a new way; her perspective is opening, and her sense of justice, her desperate need to right the wrongs of her people make her shine through the pages.
Layla is not the only character to shine thankfully. A dragon has cursed Ian, providing the story and character with a passionate internal struggle. He is battling the dragon within him instead of accepting it, of channeling him. It is a constant battle for him to go against what the dragon wishes, but the journey to him overcoming it is overwhelming. As for the other human, they are still trying to reconcile this fact that magic and fantasy exist, that they are real. For each of them, the journey is overwhelming; it is empowering, and makes for an interesting read, giving dimension to the dynamics and the relationships. For the Fae, their journey is all about overcoming bigotry, and to see almost all of them overcome this is incredible. It serves as a teaching lesson for the reader, as well as for the characters.
It is fun and quirky, and the characters balance each other out perfectly, making for a delightful read. (★★★★☆)
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
February 2, 2020
Book Review- Magic Heist by Mary Karlik
This is the second book in the series. Ian is fighting the dragon that is inside of him. He is trying to keep Layla safe and help the fairies that were saved. I love that Layla trusts Ian. I also love that she is half fairy and half human. Her life has not been ideal as she was shunned because of what she was. What makes things perfect in this sense is she is the only one who can save those that shunned her.
She is an awesome character who is trying to do what is right. I love that Ian and his team are involved and helping her. It is fun to watch them accept the magical world and work together. The twist is fabulous when Ian is pulled through the veil and meets Layla’s best friend in her world, Finn. The author collects this team around Layla that is working together to save fairies from the trafficking for power.
It was a fascinating idea that fairies are being bought and sold for their powers on the “black market”. The author leads the group into some interesting situations as they find out what is going on and who is behind it. Ian has feelings for Layla which I love, but it is extremely complicated. That adds to the dynamic of the story. Layla is a hard read at times. You aren’t sure what her feelings for Ian are. She tends to go back and forth which annoys me at times.
I like the story and the characters. I have read several books by this author and this story is very unique. I give it a 4 out of 5.
This is the second book in the series. Ian is fighting the dragon that is inside of him. He is trying to keep Layla safe and help the fairies that were saved. I love that Layla trusts Ian. I also love that she is half fairy and half human. Her life has not been ideal as she was shunned because of what she was. What makes things perfect in this sense is she is the only one who can save those that shunned her.
She is an awesome character who is trying to do what is right. I love that Ian and his team are involved and helping her. It is fun to watch them accept the magical world and work together. The twist is fabulous when Ian is pulled through the veil and meets Layla’s best friend in her world, Finn. The author collects this team around Layla that is working together to save fairies from the trafficking for power.
It was a fascinating idea that fairies are being bought and sold for their powers on the “black market”. The author leads the group into some interesting situations as they find out what is going on and who is behind it. Ian has feelings for Layla which I love, but it is extremely complicated. That adds to the dynamic of the story. Layla is a hard read at times. You aren’t sure what her feelings for Ian are. She tends to go back and forth which annoys me at times.
I like the story and the characters. I have read several books by this author and this story is very unique. I give it a 4 out of 5.
November 3, 2020
Brilliant story telling!
This was a brilliant second installment in this series. I fell more in love with the characters and their adventure than before. The interactions between the characters were superbly written and totally believable even though is fantastic lol. It's a fast paced story with plenty of action and loads of characters to drag you into their world.
Amazing storytelling!
This was a brilliant second installment in this series. I fell more in love with the characters and their adventure than before. The interactions between the characters were superbly written and totally believable even though is fantastic lol. It's a fast paced story with plenty of action and loads of characters to drag you into their world.
Amazing storytelling!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews