The Book of Wands - 4 Star Editorial Review

I'm very excited to share the latest editorial review for The Book of Wands by Reedsy, which was 4 stars. I spent a long of time on the editing, trying to get everything right, so I'm very relieved to have executed it! I've had some great feedback so far... here is the full review.

"Olivia is on the verge of the test of her life.

She is a competitor in the Chester College Final Evaluation, an event that tests and rewards the best of the best among the school’s senior students. She also become the heir of her grandmother’s tarot cards, and the wielder of present, past, and future.

What she doesn’t know is that her grandmother’s gift is imbued with enchantments and truths she’ll be forced to face.

The enchanting addition of the tarot cards is a sentient symbol of Olivia’s grandmother and her destiny. Readers will enjoy learning about the different tarot suits and and what they mean. Add in how they play into to the Evaluations, and the cards become a vital and fascinating character in the novel.

But which is Olivia's true test: the Final Evaluation or the destinies told within her cards? Or is it the person she must learn to become when faced with challenges?

As a character, overcoming her personal setbacks of impatience, mistrust, and quickness to react angrily or impulsively is important to her growth. I'd love to see her internal thoughts included throughout her struggles; Olivia could come alive for the reader and make us want to root for her even more than we already do.

No one has completed the Evaluation in ages, but Olivia is determined to best it, even with the mysterious Rasmus as the final foe. He's the star character for me.

A magician, a trickster, an enigma—whatever he is, the reader anticipates Rasmus' every appearance. He steals the show. It would be fun to see a chapter or two from his perspective.

I enjoyed putting the pieces of the puzzle together as The Book of Wandsprogressed. Who will Olivia become through these tests? Who is Rasmus? What will the next game entail?

Illusions and intrigue are the name of the game; the question the reader is left with is: can Olivia win?

It’s up to her.

Guided by the cards, can she find a way to learn to trust those she should and beware of those she shouldn’t? Her character growth is one of the vital elements of the novel, though the chapters covering the final test and the subtle nods to Harry Potter books are also aspects readers will find entertaining."

-Reedsy Discovery, ★★★★

Thank you so much,

Lauren Louise Hazel X