The Book of Peril

Written by Melissa McShane

Narrated by Stephanie Spicer

As the custodian of the oracular bookstore Abernathy’s, Helena has faced any number of challenges in learning her new role. But when the store begins giving out false prophecies, Helena comes up against her greatest challenge yet: how can she fix Abernathy’s when she doesn’t truly know how it works?

Armed only with a few special talents and her desire to protect her magical charge, Helena navigates the treacherous depths of the magical world, where secret enemies lurk behind illusions capable of fooling even the most powerful of magical entities. Helena is the only one who can see past those illusions, but will her abilities prove strong enough to save the oracle?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Night Harbor Publishing
• Release date: Sep 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781949663488

Melissa McShane

Melissa McShane is the author of the novels of Tremontane, beginning with SERVANT OF THE CROWN, the Extraordinaries series beginning with BURNING BRIGHT, the Last Oracle series beginning with THE BOOK OF SECRETS, and COMPANY OF STRANGERS, first in the series of the same title. She lives in Utah with her husband, four children, one niece, and three very needy cats. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, which is much more fun than anyone ought to be allowed to have.

Reviews for The Book of Peril

[dzdnconf247 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First and foremost I have to say how much Curiosity Quills continues to impress me. You guys obviously have a great eye for new amazing talent because once again I'm shocked to find out at the end of the book that this is Dawna Raver's DEBUT novel! Not only is it refreshing to see a publishing house take risks and work so hard to help new talent but they find writers with fresh new perspectives who aren't afraid to go against what is current and have the moxy to write something original. Okay, okay, I've said my peace (Hint Hint: Check out Curiosity Quills, you won't be disappointed!) so now on to the actual review.There are a few elements of Colour Wielders that really truly impressed me, especially knowing now that it is a DEBUT novel. First off, I love the way Raver weaved in a variety of mythical elements, and not all exclusively from one nation's culture alone. There were many references (some were mythical beings/Gods, mythical creatures, or locations/realms) and although they all ultimately reference Gaelic backgrounds, I was still pleasantly surprised that it wasn't exclusively the Irish faery realms or the Scottish druids. Raver proved herself extremely resourceful by using all things Celtic in nature, and she even goes as far as to show elements of Arthurian lore. Not only is she creative enough to pull this off, but she even throws in her own creations making it %100 original!The way that Colour Wielders started off was another thing that really impressed me. Raver didn't make everything all magical with unicorns (although we do get unicorns later, and they end up not only being the expected pure beauties they are, but for lack of a better way to say this... bad ass) and rainbows, but she gives us dark and gritty with a dash of heartbreak and whole lot of breaking down all in the first couple chapters. It was beyond refreshing, and to be honest it really did make any beautiful or happy moments that showed up later in the novel that much brighter. Also not to mention as a reader we tend to root more for the people we have already seen kicked in the mud rise above it later. I'm not going to give any more details on this aspect because I don't want to spoil the journey through this title for anyone else. Another aspect I found myself appreciating was the flow of the writing. There was some back and forth between different characters, but I felt it was minimal enough to not be overwhelming, and having the other perspectives really did enhance the story overall. There wasn't a single point throughout reading Colour Wielders that was difficult to follow, and there were no chapters that felt like unnecessary fillers. I think the only thing I took issue with was how abruptly the story ended! On one hand I was incredibly disappointed with where Raver decided to end her first installment of this series because it was right in the middle of the story's climax and it literally... just ended. However, admittedly on the other hand it did serve its purpose... now I can't wait to read the next installment! Even though I gripe like a child throwing a temper tantrum about the abrupt ending, I really did enjoy reading this title and will most definitely be reading the next one as soon as it comes out:)

[debbaworks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Further adventures of Helena, the reluctant custodian of the Oracle. It's a fun read.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Book of Peril by Melissa McShane is the second book in The Last Oracle series. Helena Davies is the custodian of the oracular bookstore Abernathy’s. She has been busy cleaning the shop after the attack and the shop is brighter and definitely smells better. Helena’s birthday party thrown by her best friend, Viv, is interrupted by her ex-boyfriend, Chet. He has decided he still loves Helena and is determined to win her back despite Helena’s objections (oh dear). On Monday, Helena performs an augury requests and the oracle provides the wrong prophecy. She tries it again and it works perfectly. When it starts happening more frequently, Helena needs to discover what it is transpiring. Helena needs to learn more about Abernathy’s (the manual does not have an index and it puts her to sleep) and so she visits The Athenaeum (the spiritual successor to the Library of Alexandria). When Helena continues to have difficulty with auguries, a magical team sweeps the store. They discover magical origami in Helena’s kitchen. Someone is deliberately sabotaging Abernathy’s. When Judy Rasmussen, Helena’s assistant, is arrested for the crime, Helena works to prove her innocence, find the real culprit and evade Chet.The Book of Peril is not a standalone novel. You need to read The Book of Secrets first or you will be lost. I thought the story was well-written, to have a steady pace and engaging. I like that we are learning more about the oracle and the magical community. Melissa McShane has created a special magical world (the neutralities, the various types of magic, the oracle, sanguinis sapiens, etc.) in this series. The handsome Malcolm Campbell is back, and Helena finds herself drawn to him. However, there are those pesky rules called The Accords that might thwart their budding romance (there has to be a way around them). I appreciate the strong female characters in The Last Oracle series. Helena is slowly learning her role as custodian, and I find her smart, curious and spunky. Viv adds humor to the story and is the perfect counterpart to Helena (she is growing on me). It is wonderful to see the changes in Judy since The Book of Secrets. She is helping Helena update Abernathy’s and I like that Helena trusts her. I do want to warn readers that there is a violent scene where a female is badly injured (if these type of scenes upset you, I suggest fast forwarding past it like I did). I was not thrilled with the ending. We are left with unanswered questions and we must wait for the next book to get answers. The Book of Peril is a fast-paced paranormal novel that will have you reading late into the night to get to the end (and then you will be upset that you finished it so quickly).