GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Book Review: Takakush: Genus Magic #1 by Raine Reiter + giveaway | I Smell Sheep

Monday, February 15, 2021

Book Review: Takakush: Genus Magic #1 by Raine Reiter + giveaway

Takakush: Genus Magic #1
by Raine Reiter
January 25th, 2021
286 pages
Genre: Mature YA/ NA/ Urban (Dark) FantasyWhen Professor Elena Lukas returns to her cozy Pacific Northwest hometown with a broken heart, she’s plunged back into the fate she tried to escape. Like her mother and grandmother before her, Elena must now dedicate her life to a powerful ancient Lithuanian goddess. Although she is prepared to live as a priestess hiding in a contemporary tourist town, she arrives to find that a series of so-called animal attacks have terrorized her forest.

With the help of a handsome detective from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Elena uses her expertise in invasive and endangered species to identify that these are no normal animal attacks. The woods are stalked by a dark, mystical creature bent on ravaging the area in an attempt to quell its insatiable hunger. When her little sister goes missing, Elena realizes that the beast can only be vanquished if she is brave enough to face it in-person, embrace her identity as a high priestess, and expose her powers to the man she is growing feelings for.

Raine Reiter weaves together an empowered, female-centered narrative with rich descriptions of nature and an ever-present sense of mystery. Her vivid, flowing prose takes readers of dark fantasy into a world that looks and feels real, while still evoking the enticing paranormal creativity shared by authors such as Richelle Mead and Kat Richardson.

There were many good things and a few that couldn’t keep my attention but overall a decent opening for this new author. The intro got your attention in a cringe-worthy way when the evil (?) mythical spirit thingy took down a proud and regal steed. I shuddered at the scene being described before me. It left me wondering if the rest of the book was going to continue in the same mode. Was this thing a “werewolf?”, a “Bigfoot?”, an evil “spirit?”, or just a large bear? Perhaps I wasn’t paying close enough attention? I had never heard of Takakush and assumed it would be explained in the rest of the read.The romantic storyline was easy to follow. Strong female lead leaves past spoiled romance to return to “home” to recover and ponder her place in the supernatural world of her family. Although denying her interest in taking her place in this world she becomes embroiled in a mystery of missing people and reports of strange happenings in the area of Washing state where she is currently staying with her sister, mother, and grandmother. She also meets a man that is entwined with the investigation and of course by the end it suggests a possible romantic relationship. Kind of left hanging with any realistic conclusion. Perhaps a sequel in the works?

There were times some sluggish areas in the book (for me) and I didn’t have the urge to continue reading at a steady pace. I was unfamiliar with the descriptions of her “world” building but that may have been my uneducated palate. I did enjoy the role of the professor and thought she inserted information appropriately to give me suspicion about his role in the story.

I think the author has great potential and I am glad I read this book. I did enjoy seeing the “bear dogs” in action in her descriptions! Keep it up!

Getting 3.5 “should be scared” sheep!




Jeanie G

Excerpt
Crunch, rustle, crunch. Gabby turned toward the noise. “Come on, boy. Here, kitty.”

A statue stood silhouetted against a backdrop of trees. Clouds gathered in the night sky, the moonlight faded, and stars disappeared. Goosebumps rose on her arms. “Trouble?” Gabby got to her feet and stepped forward for a better look.

It took her a moment to recognize the sound; air rasping in and out. Something very close breathed.

Then the statue moved. Gabby froze.

That’s not made of stone. It’s someone. Adrenaline hit her bloodstream with an electric jolt. Her heart sped. Gabby squeaked, short and high as a rodent in a trap. She turned and sprinted toward the house.


About the Author

Raine cavorts in the wilds of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula with her dog, Luke, and writes Northwest Gothic. Her first novel Takakush will be published on Amazon in January 2021. This is the first book in the Genus Magica Series.



Book Tour Schedule
February 15th
Reads & Reels (Spotlight) http://readsandreels.com
The Cozy Pages (Spotlight) http://thecozypages.wordpress.com/
Rambling Mads (Spotlight) http://ramblingmads.com
The Invisible Moth (Review) https://daleydowning.wordpress.com

February 16th
Breakeven Books (Spotlight) https://breakevenbooks.com
Nesie’s Place (Spotlight) https://nesiesplace.wordpress.com
I Love Books and Stuff (Spotlight) https://ilovebooksandstuffblog.wordpress.com
The Faerie Review (Spotlight) http://www.thefaeriereview.com
I Smell Sheep (Review) http://www.ismellsheep.com/
Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/

February 17th
@brendajeancombs (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/brendajeancombs/
@hoardingbooks.herdingcats (Review) https://www.instagram.com/hoardingbooks.herdingcats/
Phantom of the Library (Review) https://phantomofthelibrary.com/

February 18th
Bookish Laura (Review) http://www.bookishlaura.co.uk/

February 19th
Didi Oviatt (Spotlight) https://didioviatt.wordpress.com
I’m All About Books (Spotlight) https://imallaboutbooks.com/
Sophril Reads (Spotlight) http://sophrilreads.wordpress.com
Book Dragons Not Worms (Review) https://bookdragonsnotworms.blogspot.com/?m=1

Twitter Tags: @rainereiter@RRBookTours1 #RRBookTours #TakakushIG Tags:@shannon_rrbooktours #RRBookTours #Takakush (Usual Tags)

GIVEAWAY
To enter for a chance to win a copy of Takakush, and whole bunch of swag (tee, magnet, notebook, and sticker), click the link below to enter! 3 winners will be chosen. (North America Only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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