Location: United States
Member Since: April 21, 2011

Cynthia Jones


Biography

The Wytch's Mirror is my book blog to share my views and reviews reflecting on the books I read. I love Paranormal, Erotica, Dark Fiction, Horror, Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, YA, Sci-Fi, Poetry and Short Stories. Anything with Faeries, Magic, Dragons, Witches, Vampires, Werewolves and all that fun stuff, are even better when on the darker side. I also support my local Library, enjoy participating with Prompts, Blog Hops, and Virtual Book Tours.

Where to find Cynthia Jones online

Twitter: csescape
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://thewytchsmirror.blogspot.com/

Books

This member has not published any books.

Cynthia Jones's favorite authors on Smashwords


Smashwords book reviews by Cynthia Jones

  • Toren the Apprentice's Tale, Book 1 on Dec. 27, 2011
    star star star star star
    My view and review: Little Mother. A little girl at the age of ten with an astounding love for her siblings and with out her parents to raise them, is left to be their little mother. Ten gold pieces will buy this little girl by one wizard who is looking for an apprentice that is worthy of his gold. Seeing Toren's magic in her storytelling confirms Toren is the right choice. This wizard makes Toren... Tor, a boy not a girl because wizards can only have boys as their apprentices. It is the storytelling that sparks the wizard's attention and he sees how special Toren is. This was an expensive exchange, and the wizard often refers to Toren as...my gold. I think he found more reason than that to name her so. Toren and the wizard will go on a journey that educates the young girl about magic, her self worth, her family, and what it means to be an apprentice to a wizard. Stories and Tellers are Toren's educators. Midrosh is a school for wizard apprentices and where dragons are real. Toren wants anything but to be noticed. Try as she might to stay under the radar, a dragon finds her making her anything but unnoticed. I want to be there. It sounds beautiful. +++++++++++++ Something I have started doing recently when writing my reviews, is to find a favorite quote and a favorite part of the book that touches me and pulls me completely into what the author is sharing. In this one, the author pulls at me several times with many quotes I would love to put into this review. They range from the importance of storytelling to the cloaks the story tellers wear and what the patches describe. Toren the Teller's Tale simply is a magnificent story with great inspiration. My Favorite Quote "We wizards and witches brandish magic. But we have become so obsessed with its symbols -- the potions and the spells -- that we have forgotten what the source of our hightest power is: the reading and retelling of the Shemet." -and- "We are all only stories you know Tor, only patches in the fabric of life." +++++++++++++ Here, a Shemet is a story, a personal story. Everyone has one. It is not simply words told, but what makes a being their own. Knowing another's Shemet allows a connection, creates a bond and shares a knowing. To read or to know a Shemet, there is an exchange, not completely physical but more than spiritual. The elder story tellers teach the apprentices at the Teller's Gathering the importance of stories and how tellers bridge all things with magic of their story telling. When Toren takes the stage as Tor, I can see the images rolling around her head like a movie, projecting the words she is about to recite. Her poem then said...incredible! My Favorite Part When Tor (or Toren) is with Gray and they study for ways to know two sides of every argument, because a great wizard always knows more than one side and sometimes three or four. This is when Toren learns for the first time about when magic was shattered, when spells were broken and the wind carried the magic to all places. Some things became magical, and some things did not. The explanation to why magic was shattered should not have been shared with Toren until her last year of school but was found out when she reads Mordek's Shemet. This part of the story is pretty significant for me as it is a beautiful way to describe magic and where magic may have orginated. It is also very important because Mordek is an evil part of magic and the story. The exchange between Toren and Mordek changes everything for her. Do you believe in Magic? I think after reading Toren the Teller's Tale, you will absolutely believe in Magic. The way this story is set up by the author is absolutely mesmerizing. The introduction is of the author telling her tale, of a visitor and a teller. I simply adored this book and will cherish the message of magical storytelling. I loved Shevi's sense of adventure and her sense of humor. It was a fun and inspirational read. Something I will hold near and dear for a long time to come. A plus is that every chapter is wonderfully illustrated. Even with a black and white nook, this book is a visual pleasure. I love you Shevi Arnold, and I adore Toren The Teller's Tale
  • The God King - Book One: Heirs of the Fallen on July 12, 2012
    star star star star star
    The God King is beautifully written. Though that is a simply put statement, it is one of the utmost truth. It really felt like a perfectly thought out and ingeniously designed world of fantasy literature. Not only is the reader taken away with an epic fantasy, but also with intricate and eloquent wording. West has built a demigod world and allowed us a front row seat to the heroic action and fast paced story line. The characters are richly defined and easy to be drawn to. Although it is clearly fantasy, the under lying facts are about defending one's beliefs, finding belief in one's self, and finding personal courage with strength through everything. There is also an emotional influence that cuts deep into the plot of things, adding another valuable and tremendous layer to the fantasy world of The God King. We are also reminded that nothing is ever really free, not even a gift and especially when a God is the one gifting. I think James has taken a long lived lesson by most and turned it into a spectacular adventure. I loved reading this book 'The God King', and I am genuinely impressed with James A. West as a wordsmith. I highly recommend this book to older teens and adults. Everyone can enjoy this book due to its literary quality. Fans of high fantasy adventures are going to swoon over this one and will be adding James A. West to their favorite authors lists.