Saturday 25 May 2013

Book Review: Solstice by Debbie Christiana



BLURB 
Time is running out for Armend Zogu. The 250-year old family curse on his head will claim him on his 30th birthday, the winter solstice.

Sofia Palmalosi is just the Strega who can save him. A descendant of a long line of powerful Italian witches, their magic was a gift bestowed on them by the Goddess Diana.

In order to break the curse, Sofia and Armend must piece together the sheet music from an old violin sonata that Armend’s ancestor wrote for his forbidden love. 

Together Sofia and Armend embark on a journey from New York to Sicily and the ancient ruins of Diana’s temple and back to New York while fighting a battle of wits and magic with a psychopath who wants them both dead and the curse intact.

If the curse doesn’t kill Armend, breaking just might.

My Review
When you read a writer’s second novel, you never know what to expect. Will it be as wonderful as the first novel or will it tank? Solstice by Debbie Christiana flew above all of my expectations. I enjoyed it in a different way than I did her first book, Twin Flames, which I absolutely adored.

Sofia and Armend were very likable characters. Armend, with his quick temper was always willing to admit when he was wrong, being a man, that was a lot. Sophia with her earthy and animal loving ways was able to do what she had to do in order to attempt to save Armend’s life, which shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. Their romance was sweet and the sex scenes were powerful, but not explicit. Although the story was on the darker side, there were many times that Ms. Christiana made me chuckle.

I love a good fight scene and Ms. Christiana did a fantastic job choreographing them. I was tense during the fights. Things (I’d be more specific, but I refuse to give spoilers) zooming through the air and other things entrapping people. It was awesome. Don’t get me started on the villain. Poor crazy bitch (I did not like her at all).

Solstice did not only entertaining me. It impressed me with the gentle education about witchcraft and some of their beliefs. It helped to demystified their ways for me a little bit. In Solstice, witches are people who call on and use nature in order to do their magic. There was nothing fantastical about their witchcraft, it all seemed doable, after some training and practice (Armend learned that the hard way).

Kudos to Debbie Christiana for writing a novel that kept me entertained from beginning to end. If you want a book that you won’t want to put down because you just have to see what will happen next, then I highly recommend Solstice by Debbie Christiana.

Five out of five chocolate bars for Solstice. That’s a lot of chocolate.

I purchased this book from Amazon.com

Happy reading everyone.


9 comments:

  1. Great review, Nana. Definitely tickled my fancy. I just wish I wasn't so busy so that I can sink my teeth into this book. But in a week my deadline is up and I'll have more time on my hands, fingers crossed. And most importantly, I may get a new job, I'm being called in for a second interview. Send some major good vibes my way. Or maybe Sofia can work her magic?

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    1. Sofia is on the case, Zrinka, don't worry :)

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    2. Good luck with the interview. I hope you get the job. Anything that will give you more time to read is a good thing. Well maybe not unemployment.

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  2. Thanks, Nana, you're the best ;) I hope you don't mind me exploiting your review around the internet, LOL

    Seriously, I'm glad you liked it. I was nervous :)

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    1. Spread the word that I love Solstice and think a whole lot of people should read it. You have done a wonderful job writing a great book.

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  3. Great review, Nana. I'm on the last few pages of Solstice and hope to finish the book today. I agree with your interview.

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  4. You did a fine review Nana. I must say though, that I don't like books with dark themes, not even romance. Call it superstition, but I try not to read books heavy on witchcraft even if they are 'benign'. And for a would be writer and a poet like me, that is just too bad.

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    1. Thanks Celestine. At least you know what you like to read, and that is important.

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