Member Reviews

the second book in the series...stole the show. I liked the increased depth in the character and enjoyed the plot very much. It is my favourite adventure reads so far
loved it

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I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

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Thank you to Netgalley and to the author, Lisa Amowitz for the digital galley of A Secret Deep and Savage. I enjoyed the first book in the series. I am sorry to say this sequel did not measure up to my expectations and it took me a while to finish it.
The main character, although out of her element in the first book, had a drive to figure out her new environment and was self motivated to solve the mystery of the island, her father's absence from her life and her mother's deceptions. In this sequel, she was floundering, lethargic and suffering from depression with no drive to solve her situation on her own. The secondary characters of the first story were mostly missing from this sequel although they were briefly mentioned and I felt disconnected from the new characters until I was over 75% of the way through the story. I started to care about them during the last 25% of the book. The ending, or lack thereof, was like a sinkhole. There was no "cliffhanger" is was just a blunt drop. After finishing the first story, I was looking forward to this sequel. Now that I have finished this one, I will not be looking to read the next installment of the story.

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This continuation of Rosalie and Liam’s strange and wonderful adventure was everything I was hoping it would be! The side characters were given so much more depth and new ones introduced that really stole my heart. This story made me feel all the things a YA fantasy should, and the otherworldly strangeness of the Island and the people of this underlying mystery really kept me engaged and loving the adventure with them all! I was surprised and excited to find out there is a prequel novella about Tyler and immediately moved it to my TBR list! Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Victory Editing/Branch Office Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

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A Secret Deep and Savage is a fantastic sequel to The Lost Garden, continuing the journey in unexpected and wondrous ways. This second book in the series takes a different turn, transporting readers to a new and unfamiliar setting that is just as magical and captivating as the original garden. The shift in environment only adds to the story’s sense of awe and discovery, keeping the same enchanting atmosphere that made the first book so compelling.

Amowitz does a remarkable job of building on the fantastical elements of the first book, taking us to new, unexpected places filled with even more magic. The world-building is rich, and the characters grow in fascinating ways, making it easy to get swept up in the narrative once again. The writing is beautifully crafted, and the story draws you in with its peculiar charm, leaving you eager to see where the adventure leads next.

If you loved The Lost Garden, A Secret Deep and Savage will not disappoint. It’s a delightful continuation of the series that enhances the magic and wonder of the world while deepening the emotional stakes. It’s a story that truly changes the way you experience a fantastical narrative, with great characters and immersive writing that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Highly recommend for fans of YA fantasy and magic!

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Coming from An Island Strange and Wild (book 1), A Secret Deep And Savage continues the awe of this wonderful tale. The writing is engaging and detailed as it paints a scene . There’s romance. There’s angst. I enjoy reading any work from this author.

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This was another winner in the Lost Garden series, it continued the story perfectly and was invested in what was going on. The characters and world worked overall, they felt like they were supposed to and enjoyed how they were used. Lisa Amowitz does a great job in telling the story and left me wanting to read more in this world.

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This was such a fun and great follow up to the first book! I had such a fun time with the first book and almost had more fun in this one. I think it helped to show more of the characters and world and I would not be disappointed to have more in the world and by the author!

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After reading the first volume, I was really curious to discover which new places would emerge in this second book, and I can say I was not disappointed. The journey continues in an engaging way, keeping the reader's attention high with a plot full of captivating events and twists that never fail to surprise. Each page invites the reader to discover something new, both in terms of locations and the dynamics between the characters.

The described places are fascinating and well-crafted, creating a world rich in details that blend harmoniously with the narrative. The author succeeds in painting vivid and enchanting settings that seem to come to life before the reader's eyes, immersing them completely in the story. The feeling of being in unique and captivating places further enriches the reading experience, giving depth to the entire tale.

Moreover, the characters continue to be one of the book's strong points. They are incredible, well-developed, and capable of evolving in surprising ways. Their interactions, internal conflicts, and relationships with other protagonists enrich the plot, adding layers of emotions and motivations that keep the reader hooked to the story.

The author proves to be a master in creating a captivating plot, with a writing style that not only grabs the reader's attention but keeps them glued to the page from beginning to end. The ability to weave elements of suspense, adventure, and emotional depth is what makes this book a complete and immersive reading experience. Each chapter adds new pieces to the bigger picture, keeping the reader consistently engaged and curious to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a passionate and well-structured read that never disappoints expectations.

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I liked tis book because I didn't need to read the first one to know what going on. I feel that the first book was a lot of background and foreshadowing. This was a great read

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First things first, this is the sequel to An Island Strange and Wild, so if you want to know ho we got to this particular point and understand what is going on, you will need to read the first one. I do imagine there will be a book #3, so I highly encourage reading them all.

The twists and turns continue in this book, and the stage is well set for a fantastic adventure. Often there is a sort of sophomore slump when it comes to second books but I feel as though the author does incredibly well with pacing and giving us something new and different from the first without going too far off script and taking it in an unreasonable direction.

We learn more about Rosalie and her abilities which is always fun. There's even a magic school called the Institute where she continues to grow. When this book opens, Rosalie and her mom are heatedly arguing about how Rosalie should handle her powers and what the future may hold. I will say, her mom is a bit of a tool but Rosalie is determined to find herself and to come into her own.

This is a really fun, creative YA series with well developed characters and an incredibly rich setting. I do feel this book triggers the imagination well and I am easily able to picture the world Lia Amowitz creates. This is quickly becoming a series I am encouraging others to read since I want it to find more of a footing in a mainstream realm for others to enjoy.

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Picking up where the story ends, A Secret Deep and Savage follows Rosalie's journey after she has saved Salttain Island and now lives in Snag Island's Institute Academy in an attempt to learn more about her magic as an apprentice.

I guess my opinion is unpopular because unfortunately, I started to get bored with the plot. I feel like the plot has gone astray after their encounter with the old villain. I kinda expected it would focus on that villain, but no. The plot takes a very long turn to explore another new world. Enchanting as it is, I still feel annoyed with how much drama and secrets I (and Rosalie) must bear along the story. While mysteries and secrets are essential to the plot, I found this excessive to be unbearable for me.

As the story comes to an end, I come to the realization that there will be two more books in this series. Hope the next ones will be great!

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I received this book along with the first one; both are absolutely stunning. This one picks up after the first one and follows an Altantis retelling. It is filled with more magic, adventures, and romance as Rosalie tries to discover more about herself and save Liam.

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A Secret Deep and Savage is book two in The Lost Garden Series by Lisa Amowitz.
I loved book one An Island Strange and Wild.
Truly captivating from start to end.
So well written with amazing characters and fantastic world-building. The pace flowed great. With mystery, magic, forbidden love and so much more; I could not put this down!

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A Secret Deep and Savage was such a beautiful book!!! I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't give it more... I couldn't stop reading this book for a bit. So so good.

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Wow, this book was wonderful, I can't believe it's over.
A little different from book 1 but it hits hard all the same.

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“Just remember this: what lies below does not always remain buried.”

I absolutely loved getting to revisit Rosalie and her world. I loved getting to know her new friends from the Institute and seeing that she’s growing in her knowledge of who she is and of her past. She’s doing an amazing jobs with her powers, especially considering that she only recently discovered her heritage and the powers she possesses. One of the things I enjoyed is that there are several characters that you can’t really tell if they’re good or bad. Are they making the right choices? Are they making the wrong choices for the right reasons? It’s completely understandable that Rosalie is struggling to know who she can and cannot trust. Some of the people around her take “morally grey” to a whole other level! I loved every minute that she got to spend with Liam and find myself rooting for them even more. So much is up in the water and there are so many questions that need to be answered in book three. Lisa truly made me feel like I could see the beautiful worlds she created, both below the sea and on land. There were scenes that truly kept me on the edge of my seat and I absolutely cannot wait to get the rest of the story!

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