This is an enjoyable Fantasy read with a good story line.

The characters are well developed.

The story was let down at the end though with a cliff hanger.

I just do not like cliff hangers, which feel to me like trying to force you to buy the next in the series, hence 3 stars.

This is a sci-fi fantasy mix and I love it. The story starts in New Orleans which is magical I its own unique way but then the story gets taken to a different world that is inhabited by Far called the Heathers and has a very fantasy feel to it.
The characters both good and evil are phenomenally well done and captivated me start to finish.
Peachy is so clever, resilient, and loving and I can’t get enough of her. Noomi is so kind, caring, and passionate. The entire cast is so well done and I can’t wait to see more about them in the next book, especially some of the side characters like Gavin and Minette who I believe will have a larger role.
The plot and lore was very well developed and intriguing. There was great development and it had me wanting more.
I absolutely adored the magic system, how it applied, and it’s history. The Heathers Wed also very well thought out both in their civilization and their abilities.
The romance was exciting and sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed that journey.
This entrancing story was more often than not incredibly tragic but still bright and filled with hope and love and I adore it for blending those conflicting emotions so well.

This one was interesting for me - I spent most of the book wondering where they were going with the storyline, but still compelled enough to find out where that end was. Turns out it was a bit fruitless because the book does leave off on a pretty big cliff hanger. I do get annoyed with books that do this, seemingly stop right in the middle of something without warning, so while I wasn't surprised by the cliff hanger, I was annoyed that it happened again.

The story follows Peachy as she is sucked into an alternate Fae world after a botched job that leaves her terribly hurt. She falls for Noomi, the Fae that nurses her back to health, but all is not well, as her employ/ surrogate mother's rivals are plotting to take her powers to try to take revenge on this fae world. There's a lot to cram into a 250 page book, and while most of the story tries really hard to set up some of the action in the last half of the book - and for new books- it does a poor job of moving things along. Some of it is compelling, while other parts aren't, but that is an unfortunate aspect of fantasy and sci-fi series starting books.

Peachy is a fine enough protagonist, but she does spend much of the first half of the book broken and out of it, so the other characters have to take of the slack. Noomi and her family are fun, but Lissette and her sisters are pretty boring. This is a little unfortunate because the sisters all play such a pivotal role in the story.

This is a decent start to a fantasy series that has some interesting twists - it doesn't rely on European interpretations of fae, which gives the setting - New Orleans, and its equivalent Fae version a little bit more personality. There were times where the story felt like it came to a stand still, despite all the stuff that was going on. In that sense, it felt more like a bunch of set pieces strung together with some movement. For some people it might be a deal breaker, but for others, it might help them absorb all of the world building that was going on.

The Taking by Celeste Castro is a very interesting fantasy novel. This is my first book by Ms. Castro, and also one of the few books I’ve read with shifters as some of the main characters. I have never been a fan of fantasy or books about shifters before, but I’m trying to broaden my reading habits, so I decided to read this one. I’m glad I chose this book.

The story begins in New Orleans where our main character Peachy is trying to steal a family heirloom (an amulet on a necklace) from the home of a very powerful Voodoo High Priestess. She manages to get the amulet but is caught trying to leave and is almost killed. Just before she passes out, Peach puts the amulet on. When she wakes up, she finds herself in another world and under the care of Noomie, a fae woman and her sister Gabin. Noomie and Gabin are shifters. Gabin normally stays in her animal shape which is a two hundred pound mountain cat. Noomie is also a Seer and has healing powers which is good for Peachy since the sisters find her close to death from her injuries. Peachy is now on a distant planet populated with Fae beings with special powers. It is mostly a gentle planet, but the evil powers that were trying to hurt Peachy are closing in, and this spells danger for everyone.

It is fairly easy to tell the good from the bad in this tale. The bad characters especially are easy to spot since their evil just shines. The plot is interesting and had me hooked from the beginning. The good versus evil storyline with the addition of going from our world (New Orleans) to a distant planet of Faes was bound to keep my interest and it did.
The story doesn’t really end with this book. In fact, we are left on a cliffhanger, so I’m assuming there will be a second book to follow. I will be looking forward to reading that novel as well.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Peachy thought stealing a family heirloom will be a piece of cake according to her plan what she didn't count on waking up in a strange land in the care of Noomi a woman who can communicate without spoken words.

There was a lot going as Peachy and Noomi slowly developed trust in each other and eventually falls in love as they try to stop the forcing that are against them. In the real world their a battle going on there magic woven through out especially to those who meant to wield power. I like the banter between Noomi and Gabin. Wow Beatriz was a piece of work and Lisette only telling part truth to Peachy and not really prepare her for what to come.

This was my first exposure to this author, and I was quite pleased by the book. The premise was solid, the writing was satisfying and the characters VERY memorable! I found the cover, while eye-catching didn't really make sense to me, but maybe I'm missing something.

I enjoyed the history and backstory of Heatherton. The author clearly put a lot of thought into the world's foundations. It seemed like a place I'd like to visit, had I been able to. I could almost feel the cold water when Noomi and Peachy took a swim in the lake. Obviously magic is woven throughout the world and responsive to those who wield power.

The pacing was a bit slow as Peachy and Noomi developed trust in one another and then fell in love, but stick with it! Back in the real world, there are preparations for a battle that had me shuddering at times. There is darkness here, but also great love and devotion.

There is a sequel coming, so make sure you get this one so you can enjoy both!
I was given a free ARC by the author and publisher for my honest review. Thank you Bella Books, NetGalley and Celeste Castro!