Jolie Wilkins Series by HP Mallory, Reviews of Books 1 and 2

I have been an HP Mallory fan since I first read her Dulcie O’Neal series, and I really loved it.  So, I wanted to read Mallory’s other series, the Jolie Wilkins series, and now I am even more of a fan.  After reading book 1, Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, I IMMEDIATELY picked up book 2, I just had to see what happened.  Since I read the books together, I figured that I would review them together too.  Here are my reviews of both books.  Enjoy!

Book 1:

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

Author: HP Mallory

 

Since I am making this a double review, I won’t drag it out.  This series is (obviously) about Jolie Wilkins, a young woman who owns and works as a psychic in LA, until a handsome stranger walks into her shop and completely changes her life.  Rand (the handsome stranger), needs Jolie’s help to find answers from a ghost.  During the process, they find that Jolie’s powers and strength are more than either could have thought.  Not only does Jolie discover that her powers are strong, but she finds that she is not just psychic, she is a new and powerful witch, and so is Rand.  Jolie is suddenly caught in the middle of a war in the underworld, a war where a powerful witch wants to use Jolie’s powers to gain total control over all supernatural beings.  Rand must keep Jolie out of harm while she learns and trains in magic, and prepare for war…

So, Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is a very good book.  This book introduces a whole new setting and paranormal underworld, full of vampires, shifters, fairies, and witches.  Their powers are diverse and interesting, and there is quite a bit of sexual tension, romance, and angst.  This book is very well developed and so much goes on, it is hard to review without giving away spoilers.  This book is the foundation of the series, setting up story lines and various backgrounds for the different characters.  It is never dull, I was very much captivated and into the story, I did not want to put it down.

I will say that Rand was kind of annoying at times.  He is a more guarded character, and he is the one with a lot of the angst problems.  He is attracted to Jolie, but for various reasons, he keeps his distance.  I really love Jolie, her character is cute, smart, and she adapts very well to her major life changes.  Jolie does have her hang ups as well though, she does not expect much of herself, and has a fairly low self-image.  Throughout the book, her character does grow and develop, which is part of why I truly enjoyed this book.

As for the ending, it is NOT a cliff-hanger.  However, I was so caught up in the story that I just HAD to see what happened next.  So, I immediately cracked open book 2…..

Book 2:

Toil and Trouble

Author: HP Mallory

 

My Review:

Toil and Trouble picks up right after book 1.  This story is a little bit more focused, as there is not as much need for in depth explanations.  With impending war, relationship drama, and surprising plot twists, book 2 in the Jolie Wilkins series is even better than the first book.

In this book, war is imminent, the characters have chosen sides, and war preparations are made.  Jolie and Rand still face relationship problems, even though the attraction between them is stronger than ever.  If possible, Rand is even more annoying because he keeps holding back on Jolie.  At the same time, Sinjin, the vampire, ramps up his pursuit of Jolie making a nice complicated love triangle of sorts.  I have to say, I really love Sinjin in this book, his character becomes more prominent and I found that I was really rooting for him at times.  Jolie’s love life is a hot mess in Toil and Trouble, and it totally fits this book.

Jolie still has self-worth issues in Toil and Trouble.  However, I really like that she stands up for herself more in this book.  Despite the war preparation and training that doesn’t include her, Jolie continues to train in her magic and other abilities.  She keeps her independence, and I admire that about her in this book.

I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I will say that Toil and Trouble is very surprising.  Just when I thought the climax had hit, the story turned a whole new direction.  I was completely caught off guard with the plot twists, and I questioned what I previously wanted for the characters.  By the time the book ended, I was still surprised, but again I wanted more.  I can not wait to see where HP Mallory goes with this series, I am fully hooked on the Jolie Wilkins saga.

The Jolie Wilkins series is original and sensational, a must-read new series.  Paranormal fans, you will not be disappointed  with these books, I definitely recommend reading them.

If you would like to read this series, do not hesitate!  Here are the buy links:

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble                                                                 

• E book Only 99 cents at amazon
• $2.99 on Smashwords
• E Book only 99 cents at Barnes and Noble
• Barnes and Noble print copy

Toil and Trouble

• Amazon 
• Smashwords
• Barnes and Noble

Happy Reading Everyone!