Reviewed: April 9th, 2021
Release Date: November 15th, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Mother can’t kill me. Not that she hasn’t tried.
I’m the heir to a modern-day magical dynasty, daughter of the most powerful mage in existence. From day one, Mother made it apparent that she never wanted me—never wanted an heir at all.
That’s why she’s forced me into the shadows, where I remain invisible. Nobody even knows what I truly look like. Locked away, I dream of ordinary things. You know. Friends. A boyfriend. A purpose for my existence…
But I’ve got secrets too. Things she can’t find out.
This is a terrific book. So good that I went and bought book two straight away. What a brilliant read, I couldn’t put it down. The characters are amazing, each with their issues that tug at the heart strings.
Isla is an amazing character, downtrodden, abused, but beneath her neutral exterior, she has more than enough guts to find a way to stand to up to her mother. She tries to help her people, her kindness a counterbalance to her mother’s vitriol, but it isn’t enough.
When the sister of the ruling sovereign of the other half of America arrives for trade talks, Isla has a chance to make a girlfriend, to really live for a moment. I loved Remmy, such a vibrant spark of fresh air, and Remmy’s eldest brother, the sovereign, turns out to be just as hot… uh… lovable. I love the little nods and quips to things we can relate to in the real world.
This book starts with action and doesn’t stop. You won’t be able to put it down. The magical world is a clever balance to the ‘normal world’. Isla’s power is growing, hidden and muted, but she when the opportunity arises, she grabs it with both hands, and shows us she is one gutsy young lady.
I love the way she interacts with the other characters. She will soon have more adventures that she wanted but it certainly makes for an entertaining read.
Highly recommend you pick up this book, you won’t regret it. The adventure continues in Book Two: Being Remade.
About the Author:
Lissa Bolts is an up-and-coming author (see also: noob). A devourer of words and a predictor of endings, she’s here to debut her first full-length novel, The Counterbalance. This is the first book in the Ruling Magic Series. As all authors do, she hopes you’ll love it. It’s kind of like her baby. She loves it almost as much as her real baby…er, two-year-old. A native to Utah, Lissa enjoys spending time with her family tearing up the powdery slopes in the winter and long lakeside camping trips in the summer.
You can find her on:
You can purchase The Counterbalance here:
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback | Audiobook
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback | Audiobook
Link book on Amazon Canada: eBook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my book which is available in eBook or paperback: Sentinals Awaken. My second novel Sentinals Rising released March 17th 2021 and Book three is scheduled for release in the Autumn. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 