Summary (from Goodreads)
Mandy is a quiet teenager who just wants to blend in with the crowd rather than stand out as anything or anybody. Mandy’s pretty successful at this until her parents decide it’s time to move from Boston to the quiet seaside town of York Beach, Maine, to “be closer to Nana”. Although Mandy has been vacationing in York every summer since she was a child, she has no desire to live there and is worried about fitting in and finding friends during her senior year of high school.
Nana owns a flower shop in town and while working alongside her, Mandy makes a few friends and observes the oddities of the little town and its inhabitants. When she finds some old and cryptic correspondance hidden inside an antique trunk handed down from her Nana, the “oddities” turn into full fledged mysteries. As she unravels the forgotten and hidden history of the town, she simultaneously unravels her own family’s past and current secrets while writing her future. With bits of romance and paranormal along the way, she is able to figure out the puzzle of the correspondance, the magic she never realized was surrounding her, and visions of the past and future. Will she walk away from her personal history and her future or will she realize it’s ok to be somebody, even if that somebody is nothing like everybody else?
The powers in Enchanted kind of reminded me of those in Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder. They are both more healing powers, used to help people. I really liked this aspect of magic. It wasn’t all about spells. It dealt more with magical properties of plants and herbs and nature. Mandy although a little reluctant, was a really good student. I liked how much of a natural she was. The only thing standing in her way was herself. She just needed to admit to herself that this was all really happening.
I also really liked the setting of the book. For some reason, a small quaint town fit in perfectly with the tone of the book. Mandy is more of a big city girl, and I have to admit I am most of the time too, but I can see the appeal of a smaller, more laid back town. Maybe one that is like Stars Hallow. (Which is what I picture all small towns to be like in my head)
Mandy is a girl after my own heart. Quiet and shy, she prefers to blend in instead of be noticed. And she loves to read too! How perfect. I also loved that she liked the good, nerdy guy right away. I thought for sure it was going to be a different romance story line playing out, but I liked what happened in the book so much more than what I was expecting.
Overall, Enchanted is a really nice read. I loved the pacing of the book and I flew through it. It was unique and calming. I just curled up in bed and read it all in one shot. There are some exciting parts of the story, but for the most part I really enjoyed how relaxed I felt while reading Enchanted. It’s a good book to pick up when you want to unwind. I really liked it.
3.5/5 Gavels
And now for the giveaway! |
Thanks for explaining the magical aspect of the book! I had the literal meaning of magic in my head when I read that, so thanks for elaborating!
Im a follower! Samantha D
tirnanog77@gmail.com
The jewerly looks really pretty!
Mandy sounds like a great character! I like the idea of using powers for good and not for bad!
darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com
GFC Darlene
Thanks for the post. The looking to the past part has got me hooked.
musicalfrog at comcast.net
wow great review.. the book sounds really interesting.. thanks for the giveaway!
darksiry(at)gmail(dot)com
I like your review, you made the character of Mandy sound like someone I would like. The book sounds very interesting.
Donna
ljldml at gmail dot com
Wow what a great review. I am totally excited to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway.
cody(at)wilger(dot)com
the book cover is great and would lobe to read it and then i would put the stuff on my facebok and brag i won i do it all t he time
desiree reilly on face book
desitheblonde2msn.com
Thank you for your review. I like that you read it right through. I love doing that.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Great review!!! I like when you have to go in time and I love small towns.
ctymice at gmail dot com
Thanks for the review! It really made me want to read the book, especially if you breezed thru it!
email: cruz042 at csusm dot edu
It sounds like an interesting book. I’m glad the villain was fleshed out.
thenarcissuslibrary at gmail dot com
I dashed out to put this on my wishlist as it sounds like a great beach read. Can’t wait!
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
I love books with magical aspects! Add in a killer bad guy and I’m hooked! Thanks for the awesome review 🙂
jwitt33 at live dot com
Sounds interesting!
insanityisnormal(at)gmail(dot)com
A relaxing read sounds like something I could use, lol! And a character using their powers for good, something a little different from the norm.
Thanks for the giveaway!
goonie4ever(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow, this looks like a really good book. Thank you for the giveaway!
jbronderblogs at aol dot com
I’m enjoying the current trend of books and teenage TV shows being set in small towns. The quaintness of small-town life just appeals to a city girl like me. I love your review and it’s got me excited to Mandy’s story. Thanks for the chance:)
Sarah
sarah.setar@gmail.com
Wow! I’m sure I’m going to enjoy this book. A battle between good vs. evil!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Wow this book sounds fantastic! Would love to win a copy
Lmbrunken at gmail dot com
Sound great. Excited to read. Hope I can win *fingers crossed* 😀
Thank you
Maria Magdalena
ultracutezone@yahoo.com
This sounds like the kind of book you don’t want to put down. The repeating the past kind of made me think of dejavu. Would love to read it.
kathyross75@yahoo.com