Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 19/04/2021

Author: Alicia J. Novo

Publisher: INtense

Publication Date: May 8, 2021

Rating: 3/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Xpresso Book Tours)

About the book:

Books whisper to Beatrix Alba. But they aren’t the reason she has never fit in. Bullied at home and school, she keeps a secret—a power of violence and darkness.

When the spell that keeps her hidden fails, she’s catapulted into the Zweeshen, a realm where all tales live, and her dream of meeting her favourite characters comes true. But wishes are tricky, and behind its wonder and whimsy, the Zweeshen is under attack. A character is burning bookworlds in pursuit of a weapon to rule both stories and storytellers. To succeed, he needs a riddle in Beatrix’s possession.

Now he’s hunting her down.

Joining forces with William, a cursed conjurer, Beatrix must face an enemy who knows her every weakness in a realm where witches play with time, Egyptian gods roam, and Regency heroines lead covert operations. And with her darkness as the only weapon, she may have to sacrifice everything to save a world that rejects her. 

Review:

        If you are someone who would love to live in the world of books, then this story is definitely for you. Well, if you are not that reckless (like me for instance), still this will hook you in. Let me begin by admiring that cover . . . again (I was practically drooling all over it). If you go with the looks, this particular beauty will surely take you to the red carpet. And the brain inside is not bad either.

        What makes this book a special one is the elaborate world of Zweeshen that the author has created. We meet many of our favourite characters and get a taste of how it feels to be a character once the story comes to an end. A world where their stories go on endlessly with new adventures not predicted by their artisans.

        That doesn't mean the plot is without holes. Even after the end, there are so many questions unanswered and one is confronted with the feeling that Zweeshen still has its mysteries. With all its glitter and glamour, it dodges our touch, refusing to be tamed. Well, something to look forward to in the coming instalment of this series.

        As for the characters, I liked William but Beatrix felt like a hormonal teenager. With that temper, I dare not imagine how anyone can bully her in school. The chemistry between the two also felt a bit off, too sudden. The side characters, on the other hand, was an altogether different matter. Emma is, by far, my favourite. I can't wait to read more about her.

        Altogether a refreshing read and a great beginning to a series that shows immense potential.

Meet the author:

Alicia has a weak spot for happy endings and transformative journeys. She spent her teenage years

in Argentina and Europe, speaks several languages and loves to travel.

 

An eclectic reader, she grew up on a diet ranging from Lucy M. Montgomery and Jane Austen to Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Raymond Chandler, Hermann Hesse, Jorge Luis Borges, and many classics. She's never been cured of reading a bit of everything and is as likely to geek out about Mr. Darcy as Dr. Who.

​

She is a history and astronomy aficionado, who walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, completed her Masters in the Netherlands and worked for Google in Ireland. She decided to become a writer at six but took a full, winding road here. Along the way, she learned if there’s one thing that cuts across cultures, one unifying thread that pulls everyone together, it's a good story.

 

A big-city girl, she now lives in the Midwest, where she occasionally picks apples and pretends witches exist.

Giveaway:

• A physical copy and a box of branded goodies (bookmarks, keychain, enamel pin, character art, candle, tote) (US only)

• Ebook with digital goodies (character art, background, map) (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway