Magic & Mayhem! Keyflame by Tallulah Lucy - Book Review #44

mrpinkink (59)in #book • 5 years ago

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Many thanks to Tallulah Lucy for sending me a review copy!

SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT

I've always wanted to visit Grahamstown; I still do.

Not only have I heard stories about the quiet beauty that is Grahamstown itself, but it is also the home of the largest Arts Festival on the African continent; unfortunately, due to always being busy with work, I haven't yet been able to... best keep hope alive, hey?

In Keyflame, Tallulah takes the reader on a journey in and around Grahamstown, creating haunting images both atmospheric and whimsical, leaving the reader, by the end of the book, as if they've just come back from a little country visit.

"Floaters dance across my vision, like I've staring into the sun. It's impossible to tell whether it's my mind playing tricks or if there's really something there, moving just ahead of me."

Lilah is a nerdy city girl, who, as a child, gets lost in a fantasy world of her own making - now, fresh out of Cape Town, starting University in a small country town, her childhood scribblings all but forgotten, she must adjust as best she can, making new friends, balancing her school work, etc.

As Lilah attempts to adjust as best she can, she starts having dreams of her childhood Kingdom, she starts to develop romantic feelings towards Kalin - but can she trust him? Then, like the snap of a finger, something disastrous happens that turns her life completely upside down and all of sudden she has to fend for herself.

Available March 6, 2020

Preorder now! Click here!

The exquisite blending of Fantasy on top of the real world, like a crossover episode in a Netflix series, is masterfully rendered in vivid clarity, thanks to Tallulah's descriptive writing style. Add in a huge dollop of plot twists, some diverse characters, a slow-burn romance, lots of local "flavour" and you're guaranteed to have a recipe for success.

Even though the beginning part of the book is really slow-paced, we don't get bored; the extremely well-written characters keep us entertained as they uncover secret after secret that brings Lilah closer to the truth. I totally recommend this read!

Fun Facts:

Tallulah Lucy is also a member of the Skolion Writers initiative.
Many ARC readers started reading on the same day as the University registration opened in Grahamstown.
Tallulah has a Facebook page.
Find out more on GoodReads.