Title: Bloodstone: A Paranormal Fantasy Adventure (The Curse Of Time Book 1)
Author: M.J. Mallon
Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure, Coming of Age
Book Blurb:
I didn’t think my life could get weirder, but I was wrong… Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who is imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house.
When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden path where she encounters Ryder: a charismatic, perplexing stranger.
With the help of a magical paint set and some crystal wizard stones, can Amelina discover the truth about her family?
A unique, imaginative mystery full of magic-wielding and dark elements, Bloodstone is a riveting adventure for anyone interested in fantasy, mythology or the world of the paranormal. TRIGGER WARNING: this book contains mention of self-harm, mental health issues and alludes to the potential dangers of sexual attraction, which may trigger younger/sensitive readers.
My Review:
A magical invitation, that doesn't tear up, urges Amelina to go to Crystal Cottage to seek out the hidden secrets of her family. Amelina Scott knows her family isn't what you call normal and neither is her house. No one she knows has a girl trapped in the mirrors. When she receives an invitation to visit Crystal Cottage, she doesn't know what to make of it. Is it a prank? Is it a trick? She decides to ignore it and throws it in the trash. Only it doesn't stay in the bin. She tries to cut it up but it doesn't cut. It sings, it dances, it is somehow alive. She finally decides to travel to the Crystal Cottage to see what happens. Along the way, she meets Ryder and discovers magic (both light and dark) is all around. She interacts with magical people, beings, and objects while learning the truth of her family. What happens next will astound you, the reader. Are you ready for an adventure?
Bloodstone is an imaginative fantasy adventure I enjoyed from start to finish. From the first page, I connected with Amelina. She's a delightful heroine. I could relate to her on so many levels. Everything from her curiosity to her reactions to her emotional state rang true. While it's tricky these days to write an original fantasy story, M.J. Mallon wrote one of the most original fantasy books I've read in a long time. Taking bits from fantasy authors of the past, M.J. Mallon adds her own blend of magical realism and emotional coming of age to make Bloodstone a gem. The plot moves at a good pace with each chapter starting with a puzzle. What a creative way to keep the reader invested. The world-building is intricate and riveting. The characters are engaging and easy to connect with. Overall, Bloodstone is a brilliant story and when I finished, I wanted to read it all over again. If you're a fantasy reader, you need to read Bloodstone. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloodstone-Paranormal-Fantasy-Adventure-Curse-ebook/dp/B097QZBKNY
Author Biography:
I write YA Fantasy/Paranormal novels, Horror/Ghost short stories and multi-genre flash fiction as well as micro poetry - haiku and Tanka. I share book reviews, poetry, flash fiction, photography and inspirational details of my writing journey at my lovely blog home: www.mjmallon.com/
I'm a member of : The Society of Children's Writers and Book Illustrators.
Social Media Links:
Website www.mjmallon.com/
Reviewed by: Mrs. N