Where the Magic Lies Perils of Portia Saga #1
Teen Young Adult, Fantasy
Independent
Aug 14, 2022
Kindle
245
Amazon
- A Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner
- A Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Gold Medal Winner
When Amethyst Quartz's mother carries a hollowed log home, a group of furious fairies confront her and Amethyst. Hailing from the Kingdom of Portia, they claim that the stolen log is King Matthew's lost treasure. The fairies threaten to kill her unless Amethyst agrees to leave the mortal world and marry Prince Angus, who is in need of a bride. To save her mother's life, Amethyst agrees, but is plagued by melancholy when in Portia. However, she bonds with Prince Angus after three failed escape attempts, and the two develop a close relationship. Yet when things are getting settled, two assassination attempts threaten to destroy her life. Misfortunes, one after another, befall Amethyst as she struggles to survive in the palace. She once thought she had zero control over her life, but now, her choices matter more than anything. With Angus, her decisions will shape not only her future but also their relationship.
Review By S.C. Principale
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Where the Magic Lies is the kind of book teens are into. Fairies, magic, and saving the world will devour. Meet Amethyst Quartz, a spunky woman who’s just turned eighteen, and is about to kiss mortality goodbye. Not because she’s going to die, but because in order to save her mother from a bunch of vengeful fairies, she’ll give up humanity, don wings, and become a literal fairy princess.
This might be some girl’s dream, but not Amethyst. Fairies are no gentle, kindly beings as the fairytales lead you to believe. Instead, they have a history of hatred toward humans, and Amethyst is not about to wed their crown prince, Angus.
The book is written at a fast clip, but heavy on the clichés—however, many younger readers will be new to these emotions and expressions and will find the descriptive language just right. The story itself progresses as most forbidden enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romances do. Amethyst finds an ally in one kindly fairy, Fontaine, but she still grieves for her mother and her human life. Angus tries to come to terms with having an unwilling bride, and an undeniable attraction grows. Angus proves he’s truly a kind and loving man, despite his cold, haughty parents. Although her heart aches for home, Amethyst’s heart also warms toward her future husband.
But the Kingdom of Portia has other problems. Strong willed and stubborn people are out of place in the fairy kingdom of Portia. But those that are there may object to the prince’s bride, or they object to the cold rule of his parents. Assassination attempts are made just as Amethyst and Angus’ romance blooms. Or is it even worse? Are Angus’ parents planning a horrible double cross now that they have Amethyst? Will her mother still become their victim?
In an action-packed ending that is definitely the star of the book, Amethyst and Angus prove that they can and will do anything for their love, no matter the suffering they have to endure from both worlds. Where the Magic Lies is a quick, captivating, and enjoyable read.