'Blue Skeleton has created a unique world in which blue skeletons and Drolling dragons and other fantastical creatures live side by side with witches and ghosts and even humans. It is all marvelously told, and I can't wait for future episodes.' ~ Mary Balogh - New York Times Bestselling author 'The utterly absorbing story and the deeply rich characters draw you right in and make you want to be a sidekick in their world. Highly recommend.' ~ Gladys Rodriguez - TV Writer, "Sons of Anarchy" Orphaned Famka lives in a miserable small Texan town, but her luck is about to change when she’s invited to audition at the Sky Builders’ Guild, the prestigious school for witches. With Magic at her fingertips, Famka is finding it impossible to ignore the call to the Other Side of the Graveyard. What’s over there? And why has she been singled out for attention from the magical beings who live there? Her mentors and best friend Ophelia, are pushing for, Famka to chose the right path, and the Guild’s Try Outs, but they don’t know about the sinister forces watching her, or that someone close, is about to betray her in the most devious way possible. Can Famka resist the urge to push her spells to the limit long enough to attend Try Outs? Or failing that, can she persuade the school to admit her anyway? You’ll love this first in the Blue Skeleton’s coming-of-age fantasy series, because it’s got just the right mix of quest, friendship, and fantastic new creatures, to keep you turning the pages. Get it now!
I received this book directly from the author and offered to leave an honest review.
I read book 1. Charli's Story and I loved it so much I jumped to read the second, The Witches of the Horseshoe. I will state right up front that while this can be read as a standalone book, I am of the opinion that reading Charli's Story first will greatly enhance your reading experience of this book. Also, you'll understand some of the terminology and background a little better.
This book, like the first, takes place in The Horseshoe. The Horseshoe is a horse shoe shaped group of trailers located on the outskirts of Wink, Texas. Wink is on one of those islands off the coast of Texas. The protagonists are mostly creole. In the Horsehoe live two young witches, Famka and Ophelia. They are best friends and are under the tutelege of Momma Nay, a Voodoo Queen who lives in the swamp adjacent to the Horseshoe. A third witch named Millie, comes to the Horseshoe, looking for friends. Millie lives in a big house, is wealthy and is not a creole. The tale of the three witches is about an adventure these girls have surrounding the whereabouts of the Bastard Book (I can't spell the true name and its probably a bad idea for me to repeat it anyways) and the God Wand. They are pursued and imprisoned and pursued and tricked and imprisoned some more by the ghost of Bernard Trankler. Bernard Trankler is a famous (and dead) practitioner of the Fallen Arts. He wants that book and Famka is the key to his finding it.
Like the first book, there is a story within the story. The tale is bookended by the present day appearance of Famka Meadows at the house of Blue Skeleton. She wants to tell him a story (the one described above) and have Blue Skeleton record it. I love the bits with Blue Skeleton in it. His world is one of music and BBQ but also of hardship and repression. The Skeletons are in many ways an enslaved race, but they still have their music, their BBQ, their joy in one another. Additionally, nestled within these two stories is a third. This story is about the Last Dragon. In Blue Skeleton's world, dragons are people of immense magical potential and therefore power.
Blue Skeleton's world building is by far his biggest strength in his books. I was happy to see that in this second tome, it was still strong. I had no trouble seeing his world in my mind's eye. I even found myself craving some smoked BBQ at one point. The personalities of the main protagonists as well as many side characters are drawn as well as they need to be for the reader to feel like they know these people and creatures. Some parts of it reads like a well played MUD, where everyone knows their role and plays it to the hilt. Imagine a Drolling Dragon guarding a crypt which is really the entrance to a hall where you must hold your breathe as you fly across it seeking a doorway to somewhere else. All in all, amazing!
I highly recommend this book but I also strongly suggest you start with Charli's Story.
This is not a book you will want to read while multi-tasking. Their world is so saturated in detail, color and character you want to absorb it all. There are a few terms/names you need to remember and to follow up. I recommend reading the next book for more background. Sometimes I wish I'd read the second one first. But then, the story would not follow the author's train of thought. This book does remind me of growing up in the deep South. Of the social divides, living on the 'wrong side' of town, the have's and the have not's. It wasn't about race, just as it's not in this book. It was, whether you cared or not, about the other's having more advantages, because of that more opportunities. And not that they were better, but they sure looked down on the under class. The author has that life completely covered in this book making you fall deeper into the book's world.
I am so glad that Famka was able to tell her story without suffering the same curse as Ophelia. This was a very interesting journey and I recommend the book.
A must read for those that loved Charlie's story. I love the tell about everyone that lives in the horseshoe, the author has created. I feel you must read Charlie's story first, but still can be read has a stand alone book. 2 young witches being taught by a voodoo queen living in the woods outside of the horseshoe. Always wanting to learn more, finding more trouble than they want... Or should I say trouble finds them. Drolling dragons, ghost, skeletons. Can't wait for more by Blue Skeleton !
Dragon and Mr. Sneeze: Witches Of The Horseshoe Book 1
▪︎▪︎To the author. I'm not sure if it's been pointed out yet but my copy has a few typos. I do not think it was due to the creole accent, just an oversight on the proffers. Our minds are a tricky thing, while reading a document and something is slightly misspelled, our brains correct it without even missing a beat. ▪︎▪︎
I've finished Dragon and Mr. Sneeze: Witches Of The Horseshoe Book 1, and my mind is just overwhelmed by the events happening. I mean seriously, COME ON!!💜🤘🦄 Now I have to wait until I get paid next month in order to get books 2 and 3, CrapOnACrackerBatman!!!🙄😵😭
I was flabbergasted when I read the part about Nebraska being a funny word for North Texas, I live in North Texas... I mean Nebraska. Buahahaha!! I also like the way you've meshed together the Nyre King and God. How they both created earth and yet can just as easily destroy it.
I downright Love Momma Nay still, she would be the kind of Momma, Grandma, and mentor you'd want in your life forever. Yes, she was only doing what she felt was right by not giving Famka and Ophelia their Sky Builders invitations the past few years but in the end that proved to be beneficial.
Parron Papillion seems to be a skilled book / person to have by your side and in your mind as well. Even though he has a shady past he's trying to correct that in his newly found after book life. Another thing I really liked about Parron was once the two parties "connected" You could to each other just by thinking it. It's funny because I've been thinking about a product that could do just that, read your mind, and record it in some kind of secure note pad app. But why bother when you have Parron👍💜
Why did Milly Rein have to kill Ophelia? All she had to do is be herself and she'd have two fellow witches to hang out with. Even if it did take Famka a bit to warm up to her. What crawled up her butt to do that to poor Ophe? How did she kill her?
I have a strong gut feeling that Marshall and Famka end up together.
What on earth is Famka going to do with the Wyndomier Wick?
Where is the Bastard Book? Is it in Milly's gazebo or does Famka somehow have possession of it and not know it?
This book by all means had me up and finished it in one night. I just had to know what was going to happen next, all the while I'm yelling at the book and my husband thinks I've gone around the bend.
DarkHorse75 01.16a.m.CST~~07.24.2021 ( Sorry, have/had no internet to post until now. )
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I just finished the book and have to give it high marks. The world that Blue Skeleton has created is unique in fantasy fiction and is presented to us by a gifted story teller. The blending of southern folk tales, Louisiana magic and a touch of South western folk tales is seamless and fun. I enjoyed the story and again the author has taken great pains to bring the main characters to life as well as the little trailer park on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. I'm looking forward to reading future works by this author.
I have a hard time writing reviews after I read others reviews. I feel like I don't write enough but also don't want to spoil it for others. I was given this book by the author for an honest review. I loved this book just like the last one I read. It is very well written and easy to follow. I work almost 14 hours a day and have a hard time trying to fit in time for reading because I always have something going on but have taken the time to finish this book because I love it. I know you will too.
A great addition to a magical series. Can be read as a stand alone, but you greatly profit from knowledge gained in the first book Charlie’s Story. Great world building draws you in and takes you on an adventure. Looking forward to more.
The first few pages had me just trying to acclimate to the world Blue Skeleton was building, but I quickly became absorbed in the tale. Rich with unique creatures and a fresh take on magic with plenty if mayhem to complete it.
A Cajun mystery of ghosts and other mysterious creatures. The Cajun patois is spread thickly throughout the story. Not necessarily a happy ending, but tantalizing with clues.
I really enjoyed this book. I read Charlie’s story and knew if there was sequel I had to read it. The adventure takes you to a whole new world. Couldn’t put it down!
The Dragon and Mr. Sneeze Witches of the Horseshoe was a really fun read!
Famka Meadows and Ophelia Laveau are best friends growing up Horseshoe, a dump of a trailer park on the beach in Wink Texas. Famka and "Ophi" are trying to learn "Tuning" [Witchcraft] so they can join the Sky Builders’ Guild. Mamma Nay is trying to teach them spells and how to be good at tuning, but they feel it is going way to slow and really want to get going on it. Milly Rien is a girl their age who's family has money and is spoiled but she has no real friends. Milly is out in the swamp and runs into Famka and "Ophi" and slowly become their friend. The trouble starts when they go to Milly's house and they see a lot of "Dark Arts" protections and traps around the house. While there they discover a Growgan, a person who has been turned into a book/paper man. Then the adventure really gets going as a bad person/ghost [Berny] try's to use them to obtain a Dark Arts spell book. Join them in the adventure of trying to get away from Berny and get to the other side of the Graveyard to reach Mamma Nay for help. With lots of twists an turns you will be surprised at how the adventure unfolds. This story is was very imaginative and comes together into a great adventure and a story worth reading. I think you will enjoy the story, I know I really did!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having loved Charli's story, I was very excited to read this one, and I was not disappointed! Again I was instantly sucked into the world of The Horseshoe, and swept away on the girls adventure. The story is well paced and the characters believable and relatable- you really care about what happens to them. Just like the first book, you will struggle to put this down one you start.
* This is a stand alone novel and can be enjoyed as such, but I would recommend you read Charli's story first as it will enhance your reading experience.
I wasn't impressed with the narrator's "voice" nor the attempt to have some characters speak in dialect, but the characters are interesting and there are enough plot twists to keep you reading.
I'm always looking for new series to read when I finish up one. It's also the saddest time for me to finish a series if, I really enjoyed it because you have to go and look for something new to read and sometimes it's hard to find. I came across this series and found that I didn't want to put it down. The world that the writer has created is really cool and imaginative. I can get lost in it and lose time. That's what's most important to me when reading a new book. Can I lose time, do I think about it when I put it down. This checked all of my boxes.
The Drolling Dragon, Humphrey is so cute and I can just imagine him hanging out in my kitchen. You can also really relate to the close bond that is felt by Famka and her best friend, Ophelia. It is so sweet and something most people either have with their best friend or, wish to have. They are young but in some ways because of the harsh conditions of where they live and growing up, they seem older, more mature. And, of course I've always loved Texas. It's a nice spin on where they reside in the book.
Milly is that typical spoiled self centered rich girl that we've all known and not liked but, sometimes felt sorry for. She's a great villain in this story.
Overall, I loved it and am excited to see what's coming next in their world. I can't wait actually! This writer is awesome and again has created a very cool and imaginative world.
In a little town in Texas two witch friends will meet another witch that will change their lives forever. While Famka and Ophelia have been friends and in training to be witches forever, it is poor Milly that just doesn't have much knack for the tuning. However, she does have a old ghosty that she thought was her friend but isn't and is now after the three girls to get the original book of tuning.
This is a fun and action packed book that isn't like any other, There are so many twists and turns and please don't turn as blue as a skeleton holding your breath through the many suspenseful parts. I will follow the author Blue Skeleton to the other side of the graveyard any day. As you read this it will take you to a land like no other and one you can't wait to get back too.
Interesting and revealing snippet of Famka’s backstory
Careful world-building and character-building.
For some reason, these volumes are not a quick read-through for me, a usually very fast reader.
This introduction to the three witches leaves so many questions open. I truly look forward to Blue Skeleton assiduously applying himself to producing subsequent books with answers!
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review Actual rating: 3.25 stars Explicit content: Some violence, off-screen death
I read the story before this (Charli's Story) and enjoyed it quite a bit, but it had several glaring flaws that prevented me from rating it higher than 3 stars. This book also has issues, though they are, interestingly enough, different from the problems I had with the first book.
This book is a much, much better introduction to the world than Charli's story. While Charli's stuff felt rushed, confusing, and jam-packed with jargon, this was slower and more drawn-out, which was good. It also (mostly) does away with the dialect Charli's story was filled with (a few characters still speak this way, but they're only in certain sections of the book).
However, the story has its own unique problems. The pacing is much slower than Charli's story, and the plot feels much flimsier. A good chunk of the novel is just our characters hiding out in a swamp waiting for help that doesn't come, and it drags. The central conflict isn't particularly interesting, either - evil villain wants an evil book, but needs the main character to help him get it, and she just has to stay out of his grasp, which again leads to just sitting in a swamp where it's safe.
The other problem - and this is huge - is our twist villain. This is handled in the most amateur-ish way possible, where we see that character's POV, and information is either deliberately withheld or misrepresented to the reader in order to conceal the characters' thoughts, motivations, and actions. Events take place that don't make any sense if the character was running the show, even when they are alone with their own thoughts. It's just very sloppily done for a cheap "gotcha" at the end.
Overall, this was a fun read, but it has too many problems for me to really say it's a quality novel. I'm fond of the world and the characters, and certain parts of it are genuinely interesting and engaging, but other parts are so amateurishly done that it leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the novel. If you liked Charli's story, you'll like this. If you're a forgiving reader, you might enjoy it also - but if you're critical in the least, or hate POV-bait-and-switch, you won't enjoy this.
I LOVE fantasy and witches and dragons so I was excited to see what this one was about, from the title and description alone. When a book opens with a quote from Mary Balogh, a New York Times Bestselling author, you know you’re in for a treat. And trust me, by the end of the first chapter, you’ll be absolutely hooked, ready to set sail on the magical waters of Blue Skeleton’s extraordinary universe.
At the heart of the story is Famka, an orphan from a small Texan town. Despite her bleak surroundings, Famka’s life takes an exciting turn when she gets the chance to audition for the Sky Builders’ Guild, a top-notch school for witches. This twist of fate sets her off on a journey of self-discovery, expertly weaving a coming-of-age tale that speaks to all of us, even us adults.
My favorite part of this book is how the author really brings Famka to life. She’s more than your typical teenage protagonist, but also the personification of the trials of growing up. And there are so many things to admire about her – her bravery in the face of adversity and perseverance in the pursuit of her dreams. I found myself rooting for her all the way through.
I also loved our side character Ophelia and the world-building in this series is fantastic. You’ll feel like you’ve been whipped away into another land and you’re experiencing it all first hand. The supporting cast isn’t just there to fill up the pages; they add depth to the story and significantly impact Famka and her personal journal.
Through this story, we see a blending of genres – there’s mystery, adventure, suspense, magic, and drama. From the Drolling dragons to the magical beings and the mysteriously intriguing Other Side of the Graveyard, the author paints a vivid and riveting picture.
"Dragon and Mr. Sneeze: Witches of the Horseshoe" by Blue Skeleton is a fascinating tale that blends magic, mystery, and humor in a small Texan town full of hidden charm. Residents of the Horseshoe trailer park face supernatural dangers, personal conflicts, and dark secrets, weaving a captivating and unpredictable story.
The complex characters and unique atmosphere, filled with steamy swamps, ghosts, and magical creatures, add depth, while the vividly described magical scenes complete a narrative about friendship, sacrifice, and confronting the shadows of the past.
"Dragon and Mr. Sneeze: Witches of the Horseshoe" is an unusual and captivating read that successfully combines comedy, magic, and drama in a surprising way. Fans of stories filled with mystery and memorable characters will find in this book an adventure that keeps them hooked until the last page. Blue Skeleton demonstrates an impressive talent for building vibrant worlds and offering readers a unique experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received this wonderful story from the author and promised to give an honest review.
In anticipation of delving into this book, I re-read "Dragon and Mr. Sneeze: Charli's Story." Loved the links within the book to the authors homepage: www.blueskeleton.com, to Facebook, and Instagram. The music links are especially delightful: http://www.blueskeleton.com/music/wat...
There’re stories, that make you feel special. And this first book in the Witches of the Horseshoe series is one of them.
This book hooked me from the first page, I must say that it’s super-fast to read, the chapters are short and in each one of them you want more!
The entertaining plot that catches you, and is so well developed, has an excellent worldbuilding, full of magic, supernatural creatures, dark forces and ghosts. Let’s talk about the characters, Famka is my favorite, I was able to empathize with her, with her story, it makes you hurt when something happens to her, because she deserves the whole world and more. The friendship that she has with Ophelia was one of my favorite topics.
Blue Skeleton is a gifted storyteller, he once again took me to the other side of the graveyard and wove his wonderful tale around me. I always feel like the mark of a good book is one that takes you away on a adventure, this book, like Charli's Story, did just that, it brought back people we came to love, Momma Nay, Miss Turtlebalm, and the people at Horseshoe Bend...I am looking forward to another lovely trip to Wink Texas soon. Thank You Mr. Blue.