"Creativity is as blurry as the line between
fantasy and reality. It is not written in stone."
Magora: The Bridge in the Fog by Marc
Remus is the third instalment in the six-book Magora series. Unlike the first
two, which can be read as standalones, The Bridge in the Fog requires
background from previous books. In fact it starts right in the middle of the
action!
The Bridge in the Fog has a darker
and eerier setting and feel as opposed to the first two books. Once again,
Holly and her three friends Brian, Rufus, and Amanda, go back to Magora, world
of art and painting and where they attend school. They travel to Magora through
a painting.
There
are several ideas running through the story. Holly, a Gindar, which is like a
bloodline for master painters, wonders if the evil Cuspidor, an unfinished
Gindar, is her father. It scares her but it seems she is not the only one
thinking that. Other students in her school have the same thought.
Unfinished
are paintings that were left incomplete by their artists, which means they roam
in the form of pencil lines and need blood to become 'finished'.
"If a painter makes up something exclusively from
his mind, it is creativity in its purest form."
In
the meantime, Holly learns that one of her favourite professors isn't teaching
this year and sees her as depressed. With a little digging, Holly learns that
professor LaPawnee is sad because the bridge to her world has been closed.
More
questions arise about Holly's grandfather, Grandpa Nikolas, who was the reason
she had discovered Magora in the first place. Even though he had passed away,
Holly learns that he may have created doubles from the real world, so she goes
in search of her grandfather's double.
Magora: The Bridge in
the Fog flew, rather than flowed, at a much faster pace than its predecessors,
with tons of twists and turns. It was an absolute thrill! And I loved every bit
of it!
In
his newest instalment, Remus adds expands his cast of characters and races, adding
more to the world of Magora and increasing the mysteries.
There
were parts in the book when I was literally mumbling to myself "No
Way!" and pretty much addressing the author in my mind. There were times
when I was gaping and rereading parts just to be sure I read correctly. It looks
like Remus has got lots of tricks up his sleeves and I can't wait to get my
hands on the remaining three books!
The Bridge in the Fog is about a
hundred pages shorter than books 1 and 2, and the pace is much faster.
As
with the first two, Remus adds notes or quotes about art, writing, and
creativity at the beginning of each chapter. The reader is still unsure who is
saying these words, or whose thoughts they are, Holly's, the author's, or
someone else entirely. It is worth noting, however, that these quotes take on a
more personal aspect in Magora: The Bridge in the Fog.
"You might think creativity is something special,
something that is far beyond your reach. But I believe that creativity is in
every single one of us."
Holly's
self-doubt continues in the third instalment. Even though she is certain now
that she is a Gindar, she still doubts her artistic abilities and herself in
general. This aspect gives the protagonist a lot of realism, and makes the
reader connect with her.
I
was hoping to see more of Brian, the sarcastic one in the group. I liked his
creativity. He always makes me laugh.
I
haven't felt a thrill for a series in a very long time, not since the Harry
Potter books were still in the publishing process.
With
Magora: The
Bridge in the Fog,
you won't be able to put it down! Trust me!
Overall rating: Definitely 5 stars!
(Note: Book 4, titled Magora:
The Uprising is coming sometime this fall. Who knows, may be October? I have my
fingers crossed!)
In 2017, I've read the first three books in the Magora series and I look forward to reaching the fourth.
The Magora series has so far won 12 awards! I can bet on more to come.
Bullied in
his teens, 21-year-old Jeremy Riker looks to become a police officer to do some
good and stop bullies. But an injury renders him slightly deformed and
obliterates his dreams of joining law enforcement. Despite extensive training,
he is denied the opportunity to join law enforcement several times. So he
becomes a kind of vigilante and considers opening his own private
investigations (P.I.) firm with his friend and mentor Max. 
Note: I received a free
copy of Riker's Calling from its author in exchange for an
honest – overdue – review. 
Author Jenny Lundquist
(Note: Book 4, titled Magora:
The Uprising is coming sometime this fall. Who knows, may be October? I have my
fingers crossed!)
Lies She Told is about Liza, a suspense writer, whose first novel becomes a bestseller, but her subsequent books barely make anything worth mentioning in her career. Now, she asks her editor for one-month extension to write a book, without an outline. 
One of the things I disliked, however, was that I felt that Jake, Beth's unfaithful husband, did not get what he deserved at the end of the book. I also wanted to know if Beth's story would be Liza's newest bestseller.
