Adventures in Ink (Reviews): The Promise Review + Giveaway

The Promise

The Coven Series

Book #1

Apryl Baker

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy

Release Date: August 25, 2013

Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC

ISBN: 978-0615535562

ASIN: B00ES1KOC6

Pages: 228

Goodreads Rating: 4.36

My Rating: 5.0

Book Description:

Armed with kick-ass shoes, can CJ stop a maniacal coven leader, save the town, and still get Mr. Melt in Your Mouth Gorgeous while surviving the darkness coming for her?

The smoke from the fire burned her eyes, its heat caressed her skin and the taste of fear choked her. She was going to burn just as her ancestor did all those centuries ago in New Salem Village. How could she have been so wrong about everything?

Cassie Jayne Bishop grew up the only non-believer in town of Coven. When a stranger comes to the sleepy town of New Salem, everything she thought was true unraveled around her. Ethan made her question everything, even her sister’s death. Clues start to pile up and Cassie is determined to find out if the Coven was the real reason her sister died.

What she uncovers terrifies her to the very depths of her soul....

My Take On The Book:

I soared, I cried, I shattered, I laughed and I loved. This book was just too much for me to handle (all in a good way I swear). And I’m kind of fan girl geeking because this is part one of a series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next!

I loved the woven mythology and the differences between Wicca and Witchcraft. The world that author Apryl Baker created was unique in a refreshing way, but similar enough to books that I already love that I found it simple enough to emerge myself into. It was a great rebirth the dwindling literary witchcraft world.

I can’t say that disliked anything in this book really, at least nothing to major. The cover is simply amazing, exactly the right image for CJ, the storyline is uniquely it’s own and the characters notably loveable. Sure, there was some predictability but only for a moment or two and it was nothing to get in a snit about.

I was extremely happy about the thought and research that was put into the magic and history of the town. ::sigh:: it was just an all-around spectacular read.

The Great (Pros):

Ethan. Mysterious hunk and love interest to our feisty main character. What’s not to love. Sure he has his typical dude moments but he’s a pretty awesome charater.

Jeff. OMG, neighbor boy was just too cute. He had a couple of douche moments but he is a teenage hormonal boy. He proves just how much he cares for CJ all through the second half of the book. He is a great friend. And while I couldn’t get behind his affections for CJ (which totally sucks because he’s my go to guy, the one I usually root for in stories like this) I do want to see him happy.

Papa Bishop. He is such a great dad. Really. Sure, in the beginning your hesitant but really, he pulls through and shows how much he loves his family.

CJ. She is such a great main character. She’s smart, strong, loyal and feisty. She doesn’t do what you expect and that is great.

Billy. Kay’s boyfriend is pretty great guy when it comes to his girl but he has his moments.

MJ/Kay. I really liked her character, how much devotion she has for her best friend. And while that devotion does get tested and she does falter, she always jumps back up to prove that she cares.

Friendship. I loved the friendships that were woven into this story. It was strong and yet a subtle element to the story. It doesn’t overpower or take away from the story, instead it fills in the blanks where the story would otherwise be lacking.

Romance. I really enjoyed the romance, yes even the slight love triangle. It definitely added some great elements and plot twists to the story. What I liked most is that, although she technically had 2 boys in love with her, it was really a love triangle… not really. Not every girl is a hapless indecisive twat. So it was refreshing & I hope it continues along that path.

Magic. The premise of the story, the building block. It was done so exceptionally well.

The Not So Great (Cons):

Momma Bishop. Evil brainwashed, power hungry hoe bag. You are not a good momma even if you do seem like one at first. You shouldn’t have had children! ‘Nuff said.

Billy. When it isn’t about his girl, he has the tendency to be a complete asshat.

MJ/Kay. In the moments when she falters, you are reminded who her father is and you come to dislike her immensely. Luckily for her, she loves her best friend and you are able to forgive when she does show her awesome.

Now to those of you who have read the story or those who will and remember this review, this might come as a shock but I didn’t hate or dislike the character of Mr. Martin. Sure he is a scum bag, loathsome character, a horrible man and father… but every story needs a villain and he was an exceptional one.

5 Quills

This book comes highly recommended by this reviewer. A perfect read for those who loved ‘The Wicked Series’ by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie or ‘The Witch Season Series’ by Jeff Mariotte.

An exceptional book about romance, friendship, intrigue, magic, and betrayal. A bewitching story of a young girl and her quest for truth. Bring a pack of tissues and let ‘The Promise’ by Apryl Baker cast its spell on you.

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About The Author

So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.

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