Enchanted Heart by Mindy Ruiz Pages: 421
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on June 4, 2014
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, mythology, Paranormal, Young Adult
Source: ecopy from Author
Cassandra Vera never ever breaks the rules.
Ever!
She’s also had a nonexistent social life since her best friend moved to Vegas. Armed with a new set of resolutions, the promise of a hot date, and her adoptive parents out of town, Cassandra agrees an overnight road trip to Las Vegas to celebrate her birthday is the perfect way to ring in the New Year. After all, it's Vegas, the city where secrets are meant to stay hidden. Little does Cassandra know the secrets of her own pastare buried there, as well.
In the shadows of the glitz and gaudy lights of Vegas lies a power struggle centuries old. One wrong step and Cassandra could destroy the delicate web of secrets. Now an enemy she never knew existed is after her and the one boy who may be the missing piece to the puzzle —and her heart— is the one person she can’t afford to trust.
Enchanted Heart is the first book in a new paranormal/mythology series Game of Hearts. I think the concept of the book is fascinating. I loved the world that Mindy Ruiz dreamed up. And I really enjoyed Cassie as well. But the overall story was very confusing and at times frustratingly so. I understand it all added to the mysterious atmosphere, but it was almost too much. It felt like we were just dropped into the middle of a story, and into a world that we knew nothing about. So much so, I had to check on goodreads to make sure that is was the first book in a series, instead of a later one.
A lot of stuff happens very quickly in Enchanted Heart. Cassie goes to Las Vegas for new years/her birthday and it seems like overnight everything about her life changed and she (we, really) was left in the dark about most of it. She got little bits of explanation, but I still had so many more questions. What we do find out seems really cool. I loved that the whole Las Vegas operation centers around Midas and 4 royal families- The Hearts, Spades, Clubs and Diamonds. There are even lesser nobles in the families that are numbered. It is a deck of cards. What a cool idea. It was this concept that kept me reading.
Cassie is a great main character. Spunky and sassy. She has a smart mouth on her, and sometimes it gets her into trouble. It is funny because I get the feeling that she was pretty much the “good girl” before she get to Las Vegas, but here she has no problem speaking up for herself. She is quite spirited. I really enjoyed her and AJ. I just wanted her to plant herself down and demand more of the answers up front. I know I would have. She was kept in the dark for so long.
Overall, Enchanted Heart is a very cool concept for the start of the series. I think the next book is going to be even better than this one because hopefully it won’t be as frustratingly confusing. There is still a lot that we don’t know, but at least we kind of have our bearings in the world now. I loved Cassie and I loved the idea of the deck of cards, but the overall story I only liked, but did not love. The story line was at times jarring and too confusing for me to jump from like to love, but maybe the next book will make that leap for me.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
I really want to read this one but am super nervous that it frustrated and even confused you. World building is so crucial in these type of reads. I might have to pass on this one.
I really appreciate you insightful and honest review!!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yea, the confusing aspect of the book almost made me give up on it a couple of times, but I am glad that I didn’t because the story line turned out to be really cool.
Kim { Book Swoon }
First off, I love the cover and the book does sounds interesting and like something I might enjoy, but I have a hard time with being in the dark too long with a book. Enchanted Heart may just be off to a confusing start for a first book. I like the other aspect you described in though, like the deck of cards and the link to the four royal families- The Hearts, Spades, Clubs and Diamonds. That sounds pretty cool, so I’m going to keep this one in mind for sure. Thanks for the thoughtful review, Michelle 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yea, the deck of cards storyline was super cool to me. If I continue the series, that will be why. Although I have a feeling the second book will be a lot better (in my opinion anyway) because a good bit of the confusing stuff is now out of the way.
Thanks for stopping by Kim 🙂