Mathsmagica: Tapestry of Shadows Review Spotlight

 An interesting fantasy novel Mathsmagica: Tapestry of Shadows is the beginning of a new epic fantasy series. This novel blends together magic and math to create some new and unique that will surely pique readers' interest in finding out more about this unique world.

Mathsmagica: Tapestry of Shadows by Daniel Georgiev is the start of an interesting series. The cover depicts a land shrouded in fog and mist. You can see a city in the background lit up with a bridge spanning across the cover to the front. In the foreground is a tall young man with blonde hair and blue eyes. Dressed in a black coat with reddish-orange accents, he clutches in his right hand a heavy sword with black mist emanating off of it. He stands poised and in control, but appears ready should anything happen to kick off.

Mathsmagica: Tapestry of Shadows has an engaging prologue that sets the stage for future scenes in this story. The introduction of Mathsmagica gives readers a clue that this story is going to be shifting points of view throughout this story. Endariel is a mysterious character. He’s in a home where a fight is raging. Lives are in the process of being lost. Endariel is on a quest to find something or someone.

Author Georgiev gives readers the sense that time is of the essence. This sense is only amplified by the fact that Endariel appears to be disintegrating. Magical cracks are spreading across his body. Violet light is permeating these cracks as his very essence appears to be dispersing. He’s not alone. His two siblings are with him, and they are on the hunt for someone. What Endariel and his siblings find is a scene where life has been lost, but hope can still be found.

As Mathsmagica proceeds we are given a new character – Sova. Sova and his sister, Nilah, are students at the Academy in the city of Mathsmagica. There is a sense of excitement from Nilah. She’s eager to get to the “Day of Happening” festival by the Shapers, but they run into a little “trouble.” It would appear that they have “offended the sensibilities” of a particular individual, and he intends to make his displeasure known.

For a brief moment, it appears that the situation may have been diffused, but trouble comes back around not long after. But while a situation is escalating, a friendly face steps up to step in and bring the escalation back down. Of course, this sets the stage for Sova and Nilah to make a friend who could be willing to look past their affinity for dark magic, which points to a dangerous secret that these twins harbor.

Mathsmagica is a slow-builder when it comes to fantasy novels. Author Georgiev takes the time to set the stage and give readers a bit of foundation before progressing with the overall storyline. The main stage setting for this book is when Sova, Nilah, and their new friend Evie fend off a dangerous dark creature that threatens a fellow classmate. This puts them in the spotlight with Director Astron, who makes the decision to elevate these three to a new and unique position.

In various places in Mathsmagica author Georgiev highlights Sova’s uniqueness. It goes beyond him being able to see the math in magic, but he appears to harbor another inside of himself. This is something that is hidden from him, but readers get to see it for themselves. This is pointed out through Endariel making appearances at random moments in this novel. Sova even begins to notice the loss of time, and that he finds himself in strange places after falling asleep.

As this story progresses Sova and his friends find themselves drawn into dangerous missions with the intent of proving that they can work together. But is there more going on than meets the eye? Between each chapter author Georgiev tucks in excerpts, notes, letters, and more along with well-detailed sketches.

These particular elements help to take Mathsmagica to another level. The sketches especially help to round out particular details of the story. The excerpts give readers a glimpse into books and letters from the past which help to give readers a glimpse into what has come prior.

The deeper that Mathsmagica goes the more engaging the storyline becomes. It draws readers in more and more so that we are encouraged to dig deeper. Author Georgiev encourages readers to look to discover secrets that are hidden from sight, but are just there below the surface.

Hoping for some romance? There is just a hint of romance that is allowed to gradually develop between the main character and a girl he takes a shine to. Secrets are gradually revealed, and author Georgiev has a surprise or two in store for us readers as well. This book has a small cliffhanger. It sets a precursor for what is to come but leaves readers eager for more at the same time.

While Mathsmagica has a slow start, as it gradually builds the story becomes more engaging and works to draw readers in. There is a nice amount of magic utilized throughout this book, and author Georgiev highlights the math elements through Sova’s eyes. With a nice sprinkling of surprises, this book and series are truly promising for what’s to come. We look forward to what comes next.

4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Of Threads and Oceans Review Spotlight

 

 Looking for a clean YA fantasy novel and series to dive into? Want something with a forbidden romance angle? Well, Of Threads and Oceans, the first in the Threads of Magic series will be a book that you don’t want to miss out on.

Of Threads and Oceans by Camilla Tracy draws the eye with a young woman standing proudly front and center on the cover. Her brown hair is being swept to the side with the wind. She has a staff in her hand slung behind her back, not quite resting on her shoulders. Around her shoulders is a small green snake with what appears to be an energy lingering around it.

The young woman’s outfit draws the eye downward from the vest to the red scarf wrapped around her waist, to the skirt and pants below. On either side of her are two animal “familiars.” A gorgeous tiger and a fluffy poodle, both with an ethereal element of energy swirling all around them. You absolutely will be intrigued by this book simply based on the cover.

Of Threads and Oceans opens up with the main character, Thali bartering with a merchant. You can tell that things aren’t going well...for the merchant. Thali obviously has the upper hand, but the merchant? He thinks that he’s about to come out on top...until she plays her trump card. Well, played Thali. Well played. Though, she turns around into some trouble. (Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. LOL)

The beginning Of Threads and Oceans is engaging and heartwarming with the introduction of Thali and her brother, Rommy. Readers will get a sense of excitement as Thali heads back home to her merchant family. Unfortunately, author Tracy throws a heartbreaking moment for Thali and her family. The loss of Thali’s brother, Rommy.

He had like...not even five minutes in the story before he disappears! What!?! Why?! Well, this tragedy is utilized to push Thali in the direction that the story needs her to go. With the loss of her brother, Thali’s parents are determined to do whatever they must to protect their remaining child. What does that mean? Well, for her, it means that she will be shipped off to a school. Not that she needs to go, but they feel that it will be what’s best for her.

Of course, this change for Thali is one that she’s not 100% on board with. Why? Well, it’s not like she needs the education that this trade school provides. She’s been doing what the other students are learning since she was able to start walking. Now, instead of being challenged by the sea and merchants trying to get one over on her, she’ll have to deal with students her own age. Add in that she must hide her ability to “speak” with animals, and it sounds pretty simple, right? No pressure! LOL!

Of Threads and Oceans is an engaging YA fantasy novel that focuses on Thali as she navigates the trade school and all the drama that lingers in and around it. Of course, it doesn’t take Thali long to catch the eye of a guy while out at the market. It’s not just any guy whose eye she catches either. It’s someone who will cause her to fear her family’s reaction.

Author Tracy details an engaging story that draws readers in as Thali navigates school and the ins and outs of it. She manages to make some friends, but those friendships? Well, not everything is what it seems, and sadly Thali learns this the hard way. Thankfully, in Of Threads and Oceans, she has a friend by her side...most of the time. Her friend from home, Mia, is someone who is with her the majority of the time.

However, if you think that the animals on the cover are just there for decoration, you’ll be pleased to know they make frequent appearances in the story. Bardo, the snake, is one that is often with Thali throughout the story. Her tiger, Indi, and Ana, the poodle, while they have to stay home at first, become a staple of Thali’s life at school.

If you’re expecting Thali to be sitting around having conversations with her animals, you’ll be disappointed with that particular aspect of the story. She communicates with them, but there isn’t a running dialogue between them. That is strictly reserved for the human characters of this story.

If we had to rate the level of fantasy in this story, we’d rate it as “low.” Thali has her magical abilities, but they are kept pretty much under wraps. She allows her love interest to know about her magic, but outside of close friends and family, no one else really knows.

The romance angle is focused on in the story, but the “fear of family discovering who he really is” is teased. It’s teased, but nothing really comes of it...for now. We’ll have to see what happens as the story continues to play out, but for book one, there really isn’t anything there. Instead, we get reassurances from family and others in the merchant/trade business who promise her that she has nothing to worry about.

We hate to say it, but that’s a disappointing aspect because it robs readers of the suspense of the entire situation. It’s like defusing the situation before things can really come to a head. Of course, anything can really happen, so we’ll just have to exercise some patience and see where the following books lead us in that particular area.

The majority of the story focuses on Thali at school. Don’t worry we don’t get bogged down in the day-to-day school life. We get snippets, and it’s just enough to engage you in the story and give readers a glimpse of what Thali experiences. As the story draws to a close, that’s when things start to get more interesting.

Of Threads and Oceans, readers get a potential love triangle, mysterious islands, and a mysterious character towards the end of this book. The beginning chapters and the final chapters hold the majority of thrilling bits, and they will push readers to look to dive deeper into the series.

Of Threads and Oceans is an engaging start to the series, and we’re eager to see where things go from here. We’re really hoping for more drama concerning Thali’s relationship and her family. We’ll have to wait and see, but anything is possible.

This book is a very clean romance, with low amounts of magic (Thali is the only one with magical abilities at this point). Author Tracy is leading readers to believe that there is another magical being to be found, so we’re excited to continue this series and find out what happens next.

Looking for a good fantasy novel with an overall engaging storyline? Well, you can’t go wrong with Of Threads and Oceans.