A Wicked and Beautiful Garden (Witches of the Island book 1) by Katie McGarry is the author's latest book, being released on 5th May 2021
[Twenty-eight year-old Cassie Strega can’t escape fate.
All she wants is to live a normal, quiet life delivering the babies in her small town. But when she discovers she comes from a lineage of witches, her life becomes extraordinary—in the gravely dangerous type of way.
Then, she’s reunited with her first love.
Fighting the intense attraction of their former blood bond, Cassie and Orion work together to find the child. But when the heartbreak that nearly destroyed Cassie nine years before looms once more, she’ll have to decide whether getting involved in the supernatural war is worth losing everything, including her life.
Orion, the sultry Fae warrior who broke her heart years before, is searching for a baby. Not just any baby, but the queen of the Fae who will one day lead them in their final battle against the demons determined to rule the world. The same baby who has been calling to Cassie for help in her dreams.]
Katie McGarry is my all time favourite author, I've been reading her books since I was 13 (she's the reason I got into reading!) so when I saw she was releasing a new book and was looking for people to receive ARC's I signed up. It could be about anything, if it's Katie's I'll be reading it! A Wicked and Beautiful Garden is book 1 in the Witches of the Island series and I already can't wait for book 2! It's Katie's first fantasy romance book and I think she wrote it excellently. I'm not normally one for loads of fantasy so I wasn't sure what to expect, I was a bit scared, to be honest, that this would be the first of her books I wouldn't like but boy was I wrong! It may be a fantasy romance but that "Katie McGarry essence" that I love from her books is there. Although this one isn't written from a two person perspective like she has done with her previous series' - something that I love - the story is still told perfectly and you do still get to see things from both perspectives (more on that below). So even if you're not massively into fantasy I feel it's still a good romance novel, and still a great read especially if you liked Katie's previous books. It was also a really easy read so I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a good book, there's romance, friendships and that feeling of family (as always!), with a hint of heartbreak and loads of adventure and it will leave you wanting more! So, go pre-order/buy it (out on the 5th May) now!
You can find the book here:
Amazon UK https://amzn.to/32SXaUq [Affiliate link, a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you]
You can find it on Wordery https://wordery.com/spread-the-wordery/74dda1708df224d22ac9c3e7ec8c95cf572593db
Or find links on Katie's website along with all her previous books: https://www.katielmcgarry.com/
[Spoilers ahead]
I'm in love with Cassie and Orion so far! I can't wait to read more about these characters.
I love how caring Cassie is despite her broken childhood, losing her grandmother and the accident! This book was pulling at my heart strings from the very beginning, Cassie's relationship with her grandmother was so pure and it reminded me and made me miss my grandmothers. When I first met Killian in the book I thought he would play a bigger role than he did, but maybe he will be in the second book.. The way the whole town kind of knew Cassie was a witch before she did is quite amusing and I think the way Cassie learns she's a witch would be so hard to go through but she seems to handle it well and it's excellently written by Katie, I love that Cassie's grandmother's prediction came true and the world just woke knowing witches were real, I hope we get to know more of her grandmother's powers.
I love the connection Cassie forms with the babies in the womb to check if they're okay, I think even she knew deep down she was a witch, but didn't want to believe it, all the signs were there and I like how she slowly starts to realise when she remembers things that now make sense, her being an empath, her grandmother's stories, the storm when she was younger, etc. Cassie and Orion remind me so much of previous couples from Katie's books, such a strong couple with their issues to face, because of the telepathy they share and Cassie's empath abilities I didn't notice or miss the fact this book is only from one characters perspective, because we still got to know Orion through Cassie. Another thing I loved was those strong friendships that feel like family that are never missing from McGarry's books, Mercutio, Shaw, Tierney and Wren I can't wait to read more about them either.
Seeing Cassie set the boundaries for her relationship with Orion after the heartbreak of last time they were together makes you realise how much of a badass she is, her standing up and healing Finvarra to prove herself shows her strength. I'm so intrigued about this baby, they say it's not the queen of the Fae but part of me thinks Cassie will somehow turn it into a Fae queen instead of the Demon queen, well that's my theory, I look forward to seeing where the baby leads Cassie and Wren, I dislike Moloch so we'll see about him and I can't wait for more of Orion and Cassie and hopefully they find a way to change the curse and predictions about their future.
Thank you Katie, yet again, for an incredible book and characters that stay in your heart! And for the opportunity of an ARC.
I've pre-ordered A Stormy and Sultry Sea and was very excited to see it will be released in October!
More book reviews coming soon!
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