Twisted Magic

Raven's Cove, Book 1

By: Claire C. Riley

Narrated by: ShaeLynn Watt

It's a darkness that doesn't want to let go....

After being banished from her coven five years ago, Sarah vowed to stay away from black magic forever and instead tried to embrace the life of a white witch. However, now a family death has brought her back to her hometown of Raven's Cove, and the good little witch is in line to inherit a powerful gift.

Peter is invisible. Voiceless. Imprisoned in the little cottage in the woods with no way out, waiting for the day that someone will set him free, even as his hope fades. He comes from a coven of white witches yet was always tempted by the power of dark magic.

Sarah and Peter find themselves drawn together, and they soon learn that to escape the dark magic that controls them, they must first learn to embrace it.

Because the only way to rise out of the ashes is to first burn everything down to the ground.

©2015 Claire C. Riley (P)2016 Claire C. Riley

First audio book, I'm not disappointed!

I loved this story. May have just gotten me back into a witch faze. It was my very first audio book that I have had the chance too listened to. The story line was great very detailed and kept on good pace. The narrator was awesome at Sarah's part but fell a little flat on Peter. I felt Peter could have been read with a little more enthusiasm and feeling. Other than that I liked it very much!

Can you believe it? Yes, you can!

Would you listen to Twisted Magic again? Why?

I already have. There were some interesting points in the plot that I wanted to relive.

What other book might you compare Twisted Magic to and why?

This is a new genre to me, although I have read some Xanth novels. The romance factor was not in those books as I recall. There is a quirky nature to this novel, that is also present in the Xanth series. Example: A black witch who wants to do good. A white witch being pushed, virtually forced to go dark, and the unexpected results as the story plays out.

What about ShaeLynn Watt’s performance did you like?

Any attempt to bring authenticity to a reading takes theatrical skill. In the fantasy genre what you do to “make it real” and “make it supernatural” at the same time, requires a bridging a gap. Shae Lynn brings a voice that is able to bridge this gap and deliver on the words of the author. The clear compelling lilt in her voice as the story progresses urges the listener to want to know more. Her tone lends an authenticity to the story which elicits the listener’s emotions in the scenes as they play out. As an example: Sarah seems like your ordinary girl next door, but she anything but ordinary. She is a potentially powerful dark witch, something she keeps under tight control. Shae Lynn imbues the text with the voice of a seemingly normal young woman under the ordinary stress of returning home, to honor her grandmother at her funeral. Even when the story becomes somewhat convoluted, with Sarah seeing someone she should not see, touching someone she should not be able to touch, the narrator bridges this with her matter of fact style.

The author teases us with the power of the forbidden love of the protagonists. The Romeo and Juliet reference is unmistakable, but with a “twist”. The love of these two could potentially annihilate the Capulets and the Montagues, not just each other. Shae Lynn’s reading builds with the tension of coming funeral, her inevitable encounter with the coven, and her dilemma about the mysterious Peter. During the narration, it is clear which character’s voice we are hearing, with Shae Lynn’s ability to provide believable and different voices for the characters. She was particularly good during the encounter between Sarah and her mother and does well portraying Peter’s frustration at being in an impotent position with respect to Sarah.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not laugh or cry, but I was mad to find out how Sarah would solve her problem. I have to say I was surprised by the outcome.

Any additional comments?

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the narrator, but my opinions are my own.

The start of something good.

Claire Riley proves she is not a one-trick pony with this offering. This is a paranormal romance with all the depth you expect from Claire. The tragic love story unfolds here as you meet Sarah and Peter. One is dark, the other...light.

In a short time, and using her exceptional skill at dialogue, Ms. Riley gives you a backstory and reason to care about the forbidden romance that burns between these two. If this is the prequel, I can't wait for the first full-length offering set in this world of witches, covens, romance, and magic.

Ms. Watt is wonderful as the narrator and is very easy to listen to whether she is taking on the voice of Peter or Sarah. I hope she remains as the voice for this series.

Awesome story of love

This is a well written story of love and hate. The narrator adds life to each of the characters that only adds to the intriguing intensity of the book. Thumbs up to both the author and narrator. I recommend giving this one a try!