Book one of The Lightning Conjuror series
Reviewed: November 5th 2021
Released: September 11th, 2018
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Three years ago, Aspen (as she calls herself), woke up in an abandoned cabin without a single memory. Forced to start her life from scratch and exist entirely off the grid, she’s led a lonely life, but a quiet one… Until now. Suddenly, strange things are happening all around her: phantom tornadoes, exploding fireplaces, massive sink holes – not to mention the strange man that’s been following her everywhere she goes.
When Aspen audits a college class for a much-needed dose of normalcy, she’s shocked by the assistant professor’s cold disdain for her, and her alone. Their heated confrontation turns a corner when Aspen panics, accidentally shattering every bulb in the classroom. That’s when Aiden realizes what she is… but he’s not the only one who’s been paying attention.
In her mission to discover who – and what – she is, Aspen must learn to control her powers, navigate her budding feelings for this new and mysterious ally, and, finally, unearth the shocking truth about her past.
Helen’s thoughts: 4/5
An enjoyable and well written first book in the Lightening Conjurer series. In the first book we meet Aspen, who has being living a quiet life, as having suffered memory loss she doesn’t know who she is. The one time she steps out into the open she draws the attention of more people than is healthy and so begins her journey to discover who and what she is.
Aspen is a great heroine and easy to relate to, though I think she is a little naive in the people she trusts considering the events are so recent and traumatic, but you can understand her desperation to find out about her past.
The Asterians sound suitably controlling, even though some of the members seem really nice and supportive. Aidan is a great love interest, though I am worried about where he fits in and whether he should really be trusted, as he has secrets of his own.
This first book is a little heavy on setting up the magic system, which I must admit I ended up skimming a bit, as there was so much detail about each type of elemental magic, (which if you like the mechanics is great!) whereas it may have been better to introduce it as it was needed instead of trying to explain it all in its glorious detail at once.
Even so, an enjoyable read, even better that the series is complete and you can just pick up the next book, which is ready and waiting on my kindle!
About the author:
Rachel Rener is the author of THE LIGHTNING CONJURER Series, a critically-acclaimed contemporary fantasy with elements of magical realism and romance. Her most recent release, THE GIRL WHO TALKS TO ASHES, was an Amazon #1 new release and a BBNYA (Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year) semi-finalist.
She graduated from the University of Colorado after focusing on Psychology and Neuroscience. Since then, she has lived on three continents and has traveled to more than 40 countries.
When she’s not engrossed in writing, Rachel enjoys painting, reading, rock shows (musical and mineralogical), Vulcanology (both the lava kind as well as the pointy-eared kind), and playing Diablo 3. She lives in Colorado along with her husband, a stellar mineral collection, and a feisty umbrella cockatoo (“Jungle Chicken”) that hangs out on her shoulder as she writes.
The Lightening Conjurer Complete Series Books 1-4.
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook
If you enjoy also fantasy books then you will love my books which are available in eBook or paperback: Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Book Two: Sentinals Rising. Book Three: Sentinals Justice. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 