Enchanter (Flawed #4) Book Review

enchanter_cvr_med-683x1024I wanted to take a moment to post my official review of Enchanter, the latest release in the Flawed series by Becca J. Campbell. If you’re not familiar with the series, it’s set in a world where some people develop supernatural abilities, sometimes referred to as “flaws” by those who feel their abilities are more of a curse than a blessing.  I’m a huge fan of Becca J. Campbell and the whole Flawed series, so if you haven’t read them yet, be sure to pick them up! The series consists of four full-length novels: Empath, OutsiderProtector, Enchanter. There are also a few short stories in the series: Pulled, Constricted, and The Father Hunt.

Here is the official synopsis of Enchanter:

Violet can make anyone obey her. And she wants revenge.

After a series of abductions, Jade just wants to enjoy life with her boyfriend, Logan. But her empathic flaw has morphed into something even worse. Now her emotions are affecting everyone nearby, making her a dangerous force. Jade’s volatile emotions and Logan’s super-strength make a deadly mix.

Meanwhile, Violet, a woman from Logan’s past, has turned from infatuated colleague to jealous stalker. After recovering from an injury, she develops the power to control minds. Now Violet is finally able to get anything—and anyone—she wants.

And Violet wants Logan.

While Jade is dealing with her escaping emotions, she meets fellow English major Graham. He is the only one who knows what Violet is truly capable of. Jade enlists his help to in trying to save Logan from Violet’s clutches. But can they stop Violet before she puts them under her spell?

This fourth and final installment in the Flawed series once again pulls together a crew of friends with unique abilities. This time they must face the fury of a vengeful enchantress.

Now that you know a little about the story, here’s my review:

Wow, what a great read! Enchanter by Becca J Campbell is the fourth and final book in the Flawed series. And I must say, she ended this amazing journey in a spectacular way.

In case you haven’t read all of the books (something that should be remedied immediately) The Flawed series centers around a group of individuals who have developed supernatural abilities ranging from ultra strength, to not feeling pain, to absorbing the pain and ailments of others. Enchanter again follows the story of Jade, an empath who is learning to control her evolving powers. She is confronted by some very tough decisions, challenging her values and her control. These challenges cause her to cross paths with a couple of familiar characters: the ever-loveable Graham from The Father Hunt, and Violet, this installment’s love-to-hate villain. Violet has developed some abilities of her own, and she is out for revenge.

Becca has taken us through an exciting ride with this series, and Enchanter is the perfect cherry on top. The characters are loveable and well written, and the story was gripping and fast-paced, not letting you put it down until the end. It was a great addition and a satisfying ending to the series. When I first heard this would be the last book, naturally I was sad to see it go. But after reading how this one ended, I feel it was a good place to stop. The series started with the characters feeling as though their powers were a flaw, something to despise and fear. But at the conclusion, they are viewed as something that can be used to help others, not to fear, but to embrace. It was a good message and a fitting conclusion. But not to worry… I hear a spin off series is coming out next, so while this series may be closed, there is more to come from the world of “glitches.”
So until next time…

P.S. I would like to thank Becca J Campbell for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I hope you enjoyed reading the review. Look for Becca’s books on Amazon. And check out her website: BeccaJCampbell.com to stay up-to-date on her upcoming books, news, giveaways, and more!

Zeit Part 3

I feel the familiar tug in my gut, the very fabric of my being wrenched from the moment and space I once occupied. I am not surprised by the sensation, but rather welcome it, like returning home. But even after centuries of Time Walking, it still sends a thrill through me. Surrounded by black, lights sweep past my field of vision, like shooting starts in the dead of night, and for a brief moment, I feel as though we are flying.

And as immediate as the Walk started, we jolt to a halt. I look over at Kylie, who stumbles to the ground from the sheer force of the abrupt stop.

“Are you alright?” I ask, though I know she probably is not.

“Excuse me while I hurl,” she says.

And she does.

Though I can hardly hold it against her. I can only imagine what an experience like that must feel like to a human.

When she finally composes herself, she stands and straightens her clothes. “I think ‘quite a rush’ doesn’t cut it. Time Walking should come with a disclaimer.”

“That is why humans do not typically attempt it. I must applaud your bravery.”

“Umm… thanks. So where, or when, are we?”

“This is my favorite place. Victorian England.”

Kylie looks around at the people bustling by on the cobblestone street, then looks back at me.

“Wow, you really do fit in here. You’ve got the top hat, waistcoat, long coattails… You even have the scarf thing.”

“ I believe the term you’re looking for is cravat.”

“Oh, pardon me.” She smirks and turns to walk away.

“Hold up a moment. You cannot go galavanting around by yourself. We need to lay low and blend in.”

“You mean everyone can see me?”

“You could see me when I came, could you not?”

“I guess you’ve got a point.”

“Hey!” A voice yells from across the street. A man in his mid thirties starts running toward us.

“What’s his problem?” Kylie whispers to me.

My stomach drops. Now I know when we are. “If I am not mistaken, it is about to start drizzling.”

Raindrops splatter our clothes and Kylie looks bewildered at me.

“How did you know that?”

“I must apologize, I believe I forgot to mention something. Traumatic and/or historical events tend to pull those of my kind toward them when we travel. Sometimes we cannot help it.”

“Okay…”

“I did not realize until this moment when exactly we landed.”

“What happened here, Zeit?”

“This was one of those traumatic events for me. I made a mistake many years ago and involved myself a little too deeply into the affairs of the humans in that time. They found out what I am, and let’s just say they did not take kindly to someone messing with their lives and futures. They tried to kill me.”

“Is that possible? Never mind. Tell me later. But that’s where we are now?”

I nod and pull out my pocket watch.

“Oh no, not again.” Kylie shakes her head. I’m not ready for another one of those whoosh feelings in my stomach yet.”

“It is either that or this man will try to kill us both.”

“If I die while I’m with you…”

I nod, not letting her finish her train of thought. She immediately grabs my arm and squeezes her eyes shut.

“Here goes nothin’,” she mumbles.

Zeit the Time Walker – Writober Part 2

More from Zeit and Kylie’s story…

“Tea?” Kylie asks with a hint of humor and sarcasm. She motions with her hand toward the area of the store once occupied by my time portal. “Do you realize when you… whatever it is you do to get around… you’ve landed yourself in Seattle, the coffee capital of the country. No, I don’t have any tea.”

I stare at her, momentarily struck speechless. “Wait a minute. I reveal I can travel through time, and your most pressing concern is that the only refreshment you can offer me is coffee? Hmm… I think we’re going to get along just swimmingly. Now then, where were we?”

“How about I close up early and put a pot on, while you tell me how and why you’re standing in the middle of my shop?”

“That would be agreeable.”

She stares at me a moment longer before turning to lock the front door and switch the sign to ‘Closed‘. It makes me wonder what thoughts had her so captivated in that moment. I gaze at her, watching her glide down the aisle, every movement a  testament to the love and care she pours into this place every single day.

“What?” She asks. “You were staring.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Lead the way, my dear.”

She leads me through a heavy maroon curtain at the back of the shop and into what I assume to be the break room. Although, I can’t image she has many employees to take advantage of such a space.

“Does anyone work here with you?” I ask nonchalantly.

“Just one, but he’s part-time, not due to show up until tomorrow’s evening shift.”

I nod, and she motions toward the round table and chairs set up in the middle of the room. I set my top hat on the table, lift my coat tails and take a seat while she starts preparing the coffee.

“Can I help?” I offer, starting to rise.

“Are you kidding?” Tea drinkers should not be in charge of making the coffee.”

She snickers softly, and I do the same. She is quite amusing, this one.

She is gone but a few minutes, and returns with two steaming mugs.

“So, Zut,” she says, sitting down.

“Zeit,” I correct her. “Unusual name, I know. It’s German, means Time.”

“German? I thought you said you were from England?”

“I say England because it is easier for humans to identify with me if I am from a place they are familiar with. Although, I do greatly enjoy it; it is a place I return to often, and I speak as if I was from there. But as I exist outside of space-time, I do not have any one origin point, nor do I have a past or future. I simply am.”

Kylie nods, and I wonder if she is actually understanding my explanation.

“Can I come with you?” She says after pondering silently for a moment.

“You want to join me on a Time Walk?”

No one has ever requested that of me before. Most humans fear my kind, keeping their distance as best they can.

“You are sure?” I say. “What about your store?”

“You can travel through time right?” She pauses, and I nod in affirmation. “So… can’t you just bring me back to this same moment when we’re done? Then no time will have passed and the store will be fine.”

I have, without a doubt, never met anyone such as her, easily grasping the concepts of time travel and so willing to step into the unknown.

“Alright, we have an agreement.”

Pounding from outside the shop interrupts our conversation.

“Is that coming from the front door?” Kylie says.

“No, please!” A voice yells from outside before the pounding resumes.

The voice sounds eerily familiar, sending a chill up my spine. We must leave. Now.

“If you are adamant about accompanying me, the time has come. We must hurry.” I say. “Are you ready?”

She casts a concerned look in the direction of the commotion, then back at me and nods.

I retrieve my pocket watch from my inner coat pocket, return my hat to my head, and hold out my hand for hers.

“Is that how you get around?” She indicates the watch.

“You shall see. Please take my hand and close your eyes. This next part can be quite a rush.”

New Story from Writober – Zeit’s Grand Entrance

So… Writober just ended, the anual writing event I participate in every October. So I’ve got a fun new story for you all. I’ll be posting it in segments. I hope you enjoy!

“Where the heck did you come from?” The blond woman from behind the counter says as I emerge from my portal. I’ve arrived in a meager antique bookstore, rows of weathered first editions line my path. How fitting that such books, little snippets of their time, should welcome the arrival of one such as myself.

“The proper question to ask would be ’when,’” I say with a dip of my top hat. “But then that would depend on what timeline you’re perceiving me from, and that is another matter entirely.”

She gives me a puzzled look, one I’ve grown quite accustomed to over the centuries. “Suffice it to say, I am from… I believe you call it England, just a different time period than yourself. My name is Zeit, and I am a Time Walker.”

I remove my hat and bow as I announce my title. She stares at me a moment longer, then sticks out her hand.

“ Kylie. Nice to meet you,” she says.

I take her hand in mine and place on it the gentlest kiss.

“A pleasure,” I say. “Now, do you have a spot of tea?”