the conjurer’s wife | Ad Librum Aeternam

Hello, lovelies!

I figured it would be fun to share my January readings with you, and perhaps you'd find some inspiration for your own reading! A few days ago, in the end of January, I posted my Reading Wrap-Up on Instagram. However, surprise! I finished one more book on the very last day of the month. So, I adjusted the number here in this article, which is 6 books read in the month of January.

Ready to learn more about the books I've read?

Keep scrolling, dear!

(They're not in order of completion.)

Fairest of All (Villains, #1) – (In French: Miroir, Miroir)

I checked out Miroir, Miroir (the French version) from my local library. I was skeptical about liking this book since I don't like Snow White, although I loooove Disney in general. And unfortunately, I ended up giving the book a rating of 3.5 stars, which was "ok". I wouldn't read it again, and I couldn't wait to get farther in the Villains series to reach Ursula and other villains I prefer (like Gaston and Hades, too!)

Fun thing: the books get way better after this one, you'll see why I know that later on in this article!

The Bear and the Nightingale (The Winternight Trilogy, #1)

This book was a book club pick from the first book club I ever joined! 🙂 Not only did I have a blast reading The Bear and the Nightingale, I also had a lot of fun chatting with others in the club! I gave this intriguing, slow-paced story with strongly defined characters in a magical Russian wintry setting a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

You can read my review on Goodreads and Fable.

Now, I can't wait to read the other two sequels!!

The Godfather Lover's Guide to Sicily – ARC

I've had the pleasure to receive an e-ARC of this book from Pen and Sword Books and NetGalley! I've finished reading it in January, and you'll get to know all about it in my review on March 30th! For now, I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed it; it was like having a tour guide being friendly to me while taking me on a Sicilian and Godfather tour. I learned so many details relating to the movies, as well as information on Sicily, its towns and people and culture.

I might not be a big Godfather movies lover, but I sure am one of this book!

Stay tuned for a review on March 30th!

Teach the Torches to Burn – Draw Challenge

This book has been on my bookshelves for about a year now. A Romeo and Juliet gay retelling? I'm all for it!

So, I randomly picked Teach the Torches to Burn as the first book to read in my Draw Challenge!

I can't tell you much about it now, because I'll soon post the review, BUT it sure defied my expectations (both in good and bad ways) and it gave me my fill of gay romance as well as friendship. It was not what I expected, and I found it slow at the start, but then I began to enjoy it until I would gladly pick it back up to resume my reading. Needless to say, this book surprised me, and for a forbidden historical gay romance, it's really good!

Stay tuned for my review of Teach the Torches to Burn soon in February!

The Conjurer's Wife – ARC

This was the first short story I've read from Amazon Publishing, and it didn't disappoint! Sarah Penner wrote an intriguing plot with a strong main character, Olivia, that I still think about. The plot twist is mind-blowing in my opinion, and I'd definitely take a whole book on Olivia. Also, if you want an Italian historical setting, look no further, because this story takes place in Venice in the 19th century.

I gave this book a grand rating of 5 stars out of 5 in my review.

Honestly, I recommend it to mysterious fantasy lovers as well as fans of historical fiction.

The Beast Within (Villains, #2) – (In French: L'Histoire de la Bête)

Beast Within, The-Villains, Book 2 : Valentino, Serena: Amazon.ca: Books

And surprise! That's how I know the Villains series gets better after the first book. I'd checked it out from my library in French, too. I've finished The Beast Within on January 31st, and I didn't stop reading it for a whole week. I was simply pulled back in every time I wanted to read. It was crazy! Not only is this book very entertaining, it also gives us behind-the-scenes to the Beast's past and experience as a Beast. I loved the cameos, and his friendship with Gaston is so lovely AND tragic; it explains a few scenes in the movie, too. However, I do think the ending is too cheesy and well rushed… Still, this book is worth a 4.5 stars out of 5, easy.

P.S.: I'm now reading Poor Unfortunate Soul with Ursula, yay! And let me tell you, it's quite amusing and informative about her.

In Conclusion

Tah dah! That makes my reading wrap-up hit 6 books in January! I think that's pretty awesome, since I usually read up to… two or three books. Of course, I have still been recovering from my open-heart surgery, and I was not working yet. So, that sure helps!

I hope these books have inspired you to try a few of them, or guide you into the direction of your next read, loves!

Is there one that caught your eye? Why? Do leave a comment!

See you next post, darlings!

Sarah Penner's Website

Amazon CA

Goodreads (Add it to your bookshelves!)

LibraryThing

Fable

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Number of pages: 40
ISBN: 9781662526213

ASIN: B0D6RSVHLR

Format: eBook (Kindle), Audiobook (Audible)
Publication date: January 01, 2025
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Type: Short Story

A HUGE thanks to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book! I get no compensation whatsoever, and I write this review willingly.

The delightful cover which spoke of spectacle and ancient times what with the clothes and braid of the woman really caught my eye. But what intrigued me was the title, The Conjurer’s Wife! A conjurer? Interesting! And his wife… She’s clearly much more than what she appears to be at first.

I had to read this short story by Sarah Penner! Not only does it occur during the 19th century, but also in Venice, with a backdrop of illusionism and spectacles. I love everything magic and that relates to the arts of the scene.

So, I was kindly granted a digital copy, and honestly I read it so fast. When I had to do something else, I would keep thinking about the story and Olivia, the main character, until finally I could resume my reading.

This sounds like your cuppa too?

Keep reading, loves!

Blurb

In nineteenth-century Venice, a young woman’s marriage to an illusionist hides secrets that go deeper than his spectacular acts. The stage is set for transformation in a mesmerizing short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary.

In 1820s Venice, world-renowned magician Oscar Van Hoff confounds sold-out crowds with his astounding manifestations. Even his beautiful wife and assistant, Olivia, is mystified. Her job is to smile and recite her lines—onstage and in society. But the thankless routine is bringing out her rebellious side. Then, on the eve of what promises to be Oscar’s greatest performance yet, Olivia uncovers a secret with the power to shatter all her husband’s illusions. Now the finale belongs to her.

The Positive Points

The prose is straightforward and includes much information in short sentences and fewer words than one would think. I love it! You know all you need to in a swift and direct way. The descriptions are succinct, yet they tell everything you need to know: like how common the clearing of throat is before a show as a spectator, and how the theatergoers are drunk, notably before it happens in the holidays and on a Friday evening. The author doesn’t shy away from less-than-agreeable truths and descriptions, and I appreciate it.

Also, I love the integration of gaslight system which is from that time period—it is accurate and well-thought of.

Plus, you can feel the tension between Oscar and Olivia right from his entrance! He doesn’t seem wholly good… what has he done in the past? It seems Olivia thinks it’s high time for a little rebellion of her own. I am intrigued about what truly happened to Olivia before the injury and what Oscar might have done to her… used her for his shows? Lied and manipulated her to wed her?

As I kept progressing in my reading, something clearly didn’t seem right about this whole thing and Oscar, was Olivia the magician before and then he met her and used her talents to become popular? Maybe he stole magic by causing her head injury… Argh, I didn’t know, but something was definitely wrong in this picture! He seemed to have no trick to his shows… which as a magician is highly improbable! Almost impossible. So what gives?

I love the scene with Olivia and the painting. It is much more important than we know at the moment!

Omg, the plot twist was great! I wasn’t expecting that plot twist until the very last minute. Fantastic and chilling at the same time. A grand number in the author’s show! The ending is excellent and rebellious—just like Olivia in the beginning. dang how I love her character! I would read a whole book about her.

Lastly, this short story reads like a show. I mean, it’s like I am watching a theater play or a tv show—it’s really entertaining and captivating.

The Negative Points

How can she be sure that thing (no spoilers here) is magic? She simply assumed when she saw it. Perhaps Oscar plans his shows with it? This would be more logical than assuming it’s magic right away. This seemed a bit illogical and it bothered me, jumping to conclusion like that—the right one at that, and much less plausible than anything else!

In Conclusion

Overall, I give The Conjurer’s Wife by Sarah Penner a grand rating of 5 stars out of 5 for how excellent the storytelling is, how captivating and engrossing the story is, and also how much I love Olivia as a character and the amazing plot twist! Honestly, I would really read a whole thick book about Olivia! This story is genuinely that good.

I recommend this short story to all lovers of magic in all its forms, art, and spectacles, as well as those seeking to be captivated by a story and characters and taken aback by a plot twist cleverly crafted!

If you want to learn more about the author, Sarah Penner, you can visit her author website, and follow her on her Goodreads author account, as well as on her Instagram account. Don't forget to add The Conjurer's Wife to your wishlist, your cart, or your bookshelves!