N is for Not Just Voodoo ~~ Anthology #atozchallenge

Not Just Voodoo

Amazon Summary:

To celebrate the release of Something Like Voodoo by New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton, we've put together this paranormal fantasy collection of short stories that include works from some of her favorite authors!

Most of the stories in this specially curated collection are brand new, exclusive content - never before distributed anywhere else and yours for the taking!

If you're in the mood for unique magic and familiar creatures, this anthology is sure to add spark to your day!

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Margo Bond Collins - Major Arcana 

Erin Hayes - I Wish I Weren’t A Djinni 

Aileen Harkwood - Splintered Magic

L.C. Hibbett - Wicked Witch

Megan J. Parker & Nathan Squiers - Journal of Abigail DiAngelo 

Katerina Martinez - The Witch and the Thief

K.N. Lee - Awakened

Nicole Zoltack - Gavin’s Gamble

Debbie Cassidy - Deadtown

Alicia Rades - Visions Among Frost 

Monica Corwin - The Dying of the Light 

Jasmine Walt - Tested by Magic

Thea Atkinson - Reaper’s Redemption

Rebecca Hamilton - Leaves Like Magic

My Review:

I found out about Not Just Voodoo through Rebecca Hamilton's newsletter.  

Depending on the Anthology I have 2 ways of reviewing. The first, where I review the collection as a whole. The second is where I do a mini-review for each story.  I've decided to do the second for Not Just Voodoo. 

Overall I really enjoyed the anthology. I definitely recommend picking it up. 

Major Arcana by Margo Bond Collins -- So sweet!  Some twists I did not expect.  Plus it's a prequel to another book, so can find out more about the characters that I was starting to become attached to.

I Wish I Weren't A Djinni by Erin Hayes -- Liked this one too! lol. It's a stand alone, but I wouldn't mind visiting Hayes worlds again.  Lot's of fun and a HEA. 

Splintered Magic by Aileen Harkwood--Creepy, in a good way. Towards the end it felt rushed. I don't know if that would be the case if it had been a longer format. I definitely want to find out more about the MC and her family. So I'd be willing to read more from this author. 

Wicked Witch by L.C. Hibbett -- Loved this one! The series it is a part of comes out this year. Can't wait! I want to find out what happens to Destiny. I also want to see more of the world the author has built. It looks like tons of fun.

Journal of Abigail DiAngelo by Megan J. Parker & Nathan Squiers -- This one started out slow, but evened itself out. By the end I had really started to root for Abby and I hope that there is a book out there that tells more of her adventures.

The Witch and the Thief by Katerina Martinez --Interesting. It definitely is set up to lead into a larger story. The story didn't pull me in as much as some of the previous ones did.  But I'm still putting it on my wish list since I am interested to see where the story goes.

Awakened by K.N. Lee -- This was drew me in. Again, it is more of a lead in than a stand alone. I still have so many questions. How is Willa going to live in the Spirit Witch's castle and still be married, much less attend university? How was she planning on keeping her secret from whoever she ends up marrying? and many more. I want to know!! 

Gavin's Gamble by Nicole Zoltack --So this one ends rather suddenly. So suddenly it feels a bit incomplete. I know, I know... Most short stories these days are prequels or lead ins to a full-fledged novel or series. But usually they feel like they can at least some what stand on their own. I AM curious to find out what happens to Gavin and from the author info after wards it looks as if this is a prequel for one of the authors books. So I should be able to see what happens to him. But again the way it felt like it ended mid story kinda threw me off. 

Deadtown by Debbie Cassidy --Oooooo... this one is GOOOD!!! I really hope a book comes out with more adventures of Daria and Ethan. The world Cassidy has built for them to run around in looks really cool too.

Visions Among Frost by Alicia Rades -- Ok. So sad. I mean it has a not so sad ending. But still wanted to cry. 

The Dying of the Light by Monica Corwin -- I don't usually like crime stories. But this one looks interesting. I especially want to find out more about the world the author has created.

Tested by Magic by Jasmine Walt --Another procedural. I swear I can hear the *dundun* at the beginning of each chapter. lol. While I AM serious about that, I will say that I enjoyed this one a lot too. Between the world that Walt has created and the MC I was drawn in from beginning to end. The other thing about this one. It felt longer then it actually was, but in a good way. 

Reaper's Redemption by Thea Atkinson -- This one's short, yet interesting. You get just enough of the story to leave you wanting more. I'm definitely going to have to check out the series that it's a part of. 

Leaves Like Magic by Rebecca Hamilton -- Another one that feels almost like a complete story. The characters and their world kept me reading. I do want to find out more about both. 

Overall I think this anthology is awesome! I really love anthologies anyway because you get to see a whole bunch of writers in one place. You get a sense of their voice and it's in a short story/novella format so if you don't enjoy one author in particular it's not like you've committed a huge amount of time.  I definitely have a whole bunch of new authors to check out after the challenge is over.